im looking for a walk around ,plug in DC control/power pack where can i find one?
Here are a few sources:
http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/id15.html
http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM
Another option are wireless DC throttles from Aristo Craft.
http://www.aristocraft.com/CRE57000SD-REVOLUTION-24-GHZ-SET-WGeneric-Diesel-Sound_p_4299.html
Sheldon
you can also check out MRC Controlmaster 20, has plenty of power over 51\2 amps. I have three of them on my DC LAYOUT and never had any problems with them, of course they were not as high priced back when I got them...
Cheers,
Frank
zstripe you can also check out MRC Controlmaster 20, has plenty of power over 51\2 amps. I have three of them on my DC LAYOUT and never had any problems with them, of course they were not as high priced back when I got them... Cheers, Frank
The Controlmaster 20 was a great system, but MRC is no longer making them.
MRC currently shows out of stock on most of the DC line of packs. Maybe MRC feels they have enough in the food chain?
Jim
I have seen quite a few Controlmaster 20s on Ebay . There are 2 of them listed at this time. I bought 2 in the last few years, prices used would be less than new if it was still available.It seems that a lot of these used likely were because of conversion to DCC.
Ron High
ATLANTIC CENTRAL The Controlmaster 20 was a great system, but MRC is no longer making them. Sheldon
Too bad that..That was a great system.
However,enter the Tech 6 that has programmable start and top volt plus programmable acceleration and deceleration in the DC mode plus you can consist DC locomotives by programing the start and top voltage on the Tech 6.
It can also handle all sounds and bell/horn selection plus set CVs in the Dual mode.It also has computer interface abilities.By adding the handheld throttle you can run several decoder equipped locomotives.
I have the Tech 6 and I just order the handheld-it amounts to a poor man's DCC system..I have around $120(street) in the Tech 6 and throttle.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
It's true that the MRC Controlmaster 20 is OOP. They may still be in inventory at a few places as new. They do show up from time to time on ebay. That's what happened to mine when I converted to DCC.
The MRC CM20 was great, powerful, very reliable, only had one failure (a sticking relay or whatever that operated the direction switch) in 15 years of ownership, which MRC fixed promptly for a reasonable sum.
A couple of things to be aware of. The greatest length for the control circuit between controller and the powerpack was 40 feet IIRC and this included the length of the controller cable to the stationary plug-in. Not an issue for many layouts, it could be if yours is large.
For the fixed wiring, everything uses regular phone jacks, so cheap and easy to build in the infrastructure to your layout. Like phone jacks, the cable and connectors from controller to plug is not extremely robust; if you have ham-handed operators, this may be an issue.
Most important is that there were two generations of the CM20. The easy way to tell the powerpacks apart is that the first gen used fan cooling, while the second gen used only heat sinks. It's a plus to not have fan noise IMO. The first gen ones I had varied in fan noise. One was quiet, the other noisy. You can guess which one I usually turned on to use most.
The other difference between the gen 1 and 2 CM20s is the controllers. They are mutually incompatible and can't be swapped with each other. In doing away with the fan, MRC made some changes in the control circuit, too, thus the issue. If buying used, it would be good to verify that the controller matches the powerpack, if possible. If you plan a multi-cab DC system, then I'd argue you'd probably be better off sticking with either the first or second gen to avoid the potential issues with incompatibility and operator confusion. The controllers look exactly the same. There is a date code or something on them that will sort out which is which. I don't recall what it was, but a call to MRC should figure it out if you encounter this.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
I use a variety of handheld portable throttles on my SHABBONA RR S scale railroad, a 1960-era MRC Cab Controller, an old Troller TRH-200, a RIX, a GML, and the latest, ordered but hasn't arrived, a Symatico from Ken's Model Railroad Electronics. I run them on a common rail DC system, and use discarded AF 50-watt transformers as base power units. SHABBONA is not a "rich" railroad and uses a lot of stuff that others have discarded.
Right now, the RIX unit is on its way to Hawkins Rail Services in Lafayette, Indiana to see if someone there can figure out what I did wrong when I tried to rewire it. I have no problem using these throttles, "walkaround control" entails making a line up line-up for a train to where I want it to go, and taking the throttle and plugging in where it is supposed to arrive. Walk-around is limited to the length of the cord on the handheld, but I don't find that a problem. It gives the impression of more distance on the layout
Bob Nicholson