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DC controller

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  • Member since
    January 2011
  • 29 posts
DC controller
Posted by audreyspapa on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 11:53 AM

I have a small Bachman N set and have a built a starter RR. It's a three times around pike on a 30 x 60 table. I am using the DC transformer that came with the set, but was wondering if I should try to get a more powerful one. The one I have doesn't seem to get the train moving until it is half-way or more through the dial. The track is fairly clean, and the wheels. Advice?

Tags: controllers , DC , Power
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 12:20 PM

N scale locos do not require much power. It may be the speed control on the power pack. MRC has good DC power packs. You can find them on ebay for good prices for used  if you know how to shop online. Amazon.com does quite well for new stuff. I buy from both quite often.

Since you know how to use a PC online, do some research.

By the way, if the locos run well around the layout, no big deal. You are running trains.

Even Bachmann sells a DC controller that I see at the trains shows they set up a small layout at. You can find them on ebay. It comes in a white case now. Bachmann shows them at their website. The older ones had a black case. You don't want that one.

I have seen a few people using the white Bachmann controller for small DC powered layouts at trains shows.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Wednesday, October 16, 2013 1:38 PM

audreyspapa
I am using the DC transformer that came with the set, but was wondering if I should try to get a more powerful one.

short answer is yes.    Longer answer is that the power supplies they put into sets are the minimum they can spend and still move the train that is in the set.   I don't know that you need a more powerful one or just a "better" one.  The throttle response on those toy train controllers is usually pretty pathetic in the low end.

Also how may feeds from the power supply to the track do you have?   With a three times around track design you might want to have 3 sets of wires.  One to each part of the "arounds".  Nickel silver track is actually a pretty poor conductor of electricity, and extra copper wire 1/3 the way through the loop might do wonders.

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