Is this Normal

[JeremyB]

Hey guys

I have a MRC power pack and when I have used it for about an hour I start to notice that It gets slightly warm. Is that Normal???

Jeremy

[AggroJones]

What transformer is it? All straight DC transformers get a little warm after being on for a while. On MRC units, if it gets hot enough, the built in protector will shut it down.

Its normal.

[JeremyB]

It's a Tech 2 railpower 1440, Its the one that had the diesel and steam sounds ( I don't use them though )

[AntonioFP45]

Yes, Jeremy.

It's normal for your electronic MRC power pack to warm up sligtly. The old style brass MRC power packs used to really warm up quite a bit!

[CP5415]

You could have wire that's too small for the power output.
I'm using 18 gauge automotive wire for my electrical output off of my power pack.
I have yet to see the power pack over heat like the ones I had 25 years ago when I was using what was probably 30 guage wire.
What gauge wire are you using off the power pack?

Just a thought!

Gordon

[JeremyB]

its 20 gauge

[CP5415]

20 gauge wire isn't a problem.
Slightly warm, meaning warm to touch or really hot?
Anything that uses electricity for power will heat up after prolonged use.
My cordless drill gets really hot when screwing screws into a sub-floor after an hour.
If it's only warm to touch, don't worry about it.
If it's really hot, you might have a problem.

Gordon

[METRO]

I used to use Tech2s before I went to DCC and they got warm, I would also forget to turn them off sometimes and they never got too hot.

As long as it's not too hot to touch it should be fine.

I kinda miss my old Tech2s actually, they had great range and were much smoother than the old Tycho packs I got from my granddad.

[Anonymous]

My power pack heats up all the time. Especially when it's powering three locos! It's no big deal.

[Anonymous]

This is normal, though interestingly it would appear that metal-cased power packs warm up less than plastic ones - I have a Gaugemaster unit that runs far cooler than an old Minitrix plastic-cased one.

[Rosenblad]

Hi!

A loaded power pack will always get hot. My experience with my MRC Tech 2 Railmaster 2400GS is also that it gets a lot hotter than my metal-cased Gaugemaster P. I think both are very good power packs.

Tom