power pack selection

[richhotrain]

steamnut

My own recommendation is that if you want walk-around (which I, too, consider a must today) you should buy GML Enterprises. They are more costly than MRC but you'll find that their resale value isn't too bad when you switch to DCC.

Heck, if he switches to DCC, he can keep the power packs for signals, turnout motors, etc.

Rich

[steamnut]

My own recommendation is that if you want walk-around (which I, too, consider a must today) you should buy GML Enterprises. They are more costly than MRC but you'll find that their resale value isn't too bad when you switch to DCC.

[richhotrain]

I use a series of MRC Railpower 1370 power packs on my HO layout  for all of my signals and Tortoises.  These power packs will work equally well in N scale.

Rich

[rrinker]

 If you're going to stick with DC, get an MRC, or use the one you already have. Any of the transistor ones will work fine for N or HO - it's the older rheostat power packs that are different for HO and N - and with some of the more efficient modern HO locos, the older rheostat HO power pack may not work. But a transistor power pack is universal.

 While the quality and features of MRC's DCC offerings may be questionable, they have always made top notch reliable and sturdy DC power packs.

                 --Randy

 

[Fastball]

I'm still using two MRC Control Master 20s I bought in 1993!  I think they are bullet-proof.

[mobilman44]

Hi,

The very first thing you need to wrestle with is if you are going DC or DCC.   For DC, the answer is fairly easy, as MRC makes a whole line of very good powerpacks.  When I was in DC three years ago, I had to Controlmaster 20s, which are extremely powerful and with handheld throttles - and I recommend them.

For DCC, well that question has been asked here a hundred times, and to me it is like the arguements we had as teens of "ford vs. chevy vs. pontiac vs. mopar"..........

The main players in DCC are Digitrax and NCE, and both companies put out a variety of operating systems.  Of course there are other "players" out there, and they may meet your needs too.

If you do go to DCC, hold on to at least one powerpack and use it for powering switch machines or lighting, or for testing locos before you add decoders.

 

[mokenarr]

I too use an MRC for my N scale , a 2400  I also have a GML Rover , which has a 6' tether on it , and I can cover anywhere on the layout.  When I decided to have in additional  HO layout , I went to the MRC Wireless.  The layout is an around the room with an island and I cannot begin to say how great the wireless is.  Myself and another fellow operate the layout and without teathered throttles it is so nice , no tripping over each other and you just follow the train around the layout. It is more than worth the extra money

[fwright]

west willow and laurel

I'm building a new layout in HO.  What power packs does anyone recommend. I'm not sure if I'm going to DCC or stay in DC. Needs to have walk around capability.

Been using MRC in N scale for a long time and have been very happy with those.

For a starting point, your MRC power packs will work just fine in HO.  And they can be used a power supply for either DC handheld throttles or for accessories later on.

For a DC handheld throttle, there are a variety of alternatives at a variety of price points.  However, only the relatively expensive MRC Controlmaster 20 is likely to be found at a hobby shop.  The rest have to be ordered direct (typically $40 and up), or you can easily build your own from proven circuits.  I built my own very simple handheld throttle from an old Model Railroader circuit for less than $20 in parts at Radio Shack prices.  I used a broken AHM train set power pack (only the AC terminals still functioned) to supply power for the handheld.

For starter DCC sets with a handheld controller, you have the MRC Prodigy Express/Advance2 series or the NCE Power Cab.  Which is a better value depends on your expected final DCC system configuration.  The MRC units push the easy-to-use aspect hard ("operating instructions on the back of the throttle").  But sometimes those instructions are not detailed enough for certain situations.  NCE is a little more traditional, but is still considered easy to use.  If you want to use Decoder Pro (excellent open source, free software) for programming decoders now or down the road, the Power Cab only requires addition of the USB computer interface.  With MRC, you use their proprietary software and computer interface, or you use a stand-alone interface (Sprog 2 or Digitrax PR3) in conjunction with Decoder Pro.

Or you can buy a fixed DCC unit and a handheld throttle from all the major DCC manufacturers.

Some things to think about in regard to a handheld throttle regardless of whether it's DC or DCC:

• How long a tether do I need?  If the tether isn't long enough, how many plug in jacks do I need to cover the layout?
• How many operators at the same time using tethered throttles?  If more than one operator, will the tethers get tangled in normal ops?
• Does the train keep running at the assigned speed while you unplug from one jack and plug into another?  Do you want the train to keep running, or would you prefer to stop while you switch jacks?
• How are you going to throw the switches or uncouple cars?   Are those controls located where you want them?
• Would you really rather have wireless handheld (available in both DC and DCC for a price)?  Is wireless worth the extra money to you?

my thoughts, your choices

Fred W

[west willow and laurel]

I'm building a new layout in HO.  What power packs does anyone recommend. I'm not sure if I'm going to DCC or stay in DC. Needs to have walk around capability.

Been using MRC in N scale for a long time and have been very happy with those.