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Older controller suggestions with Circuit Breakers (For New Layout, "Summer in the 90s")

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  • Member since
    October 2001
  • From: OH
  • 17,574 posts
Posted by BRAKIE on Saturday, May 18, 2019 5:12 AM

My favorite MRC DC control is MRC Control Master 20 I also like my Tech 2 and Control Master 2.

My all time favorite controler remains my DC/DCC Tech 6 althrough I will probably use my CM 2 here at the retirement home since it has momentum and braking abilities..  

Larry

Conductor.

Summerset Ry.


"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt  Safety First!"

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Boise, Idaho
  • 1,036 posts
Posted by E-L man tom on Friday, May 17, 2019 9:59 AM

I am DC and I still have the two MRC Tech II power packs that I bought new in the '90's. They're breaker protected and I like how they perform. I also have two tethered, hand held controllers that I used on my old layout. I'm presently building a new layout and am expanding the control to three power packs. I bought a used MRC Tech 4 at a train show last fall for $20. I'm hoping I can ditch the tethered controllers and go with either a memory plug-in or some kind of radio controlled device.

There are lots of You Tube videos on how you can build your own hand-held controllers. I'm undecided as to whether I will build my own or bite the bullet and buy three new ones, or used, as the case may be.

Tom Modeling the free-lanced Toledo Erie Central switching layout.
  • Member since
    June 2007
  • 148 posts
Posted by Maurice on Thursday, May 16, 2019 10:48 PM

I recommend Model Rectifier Corporation(MRC). I currently use a Tech 4 Railpower 250 with handheld controller for my N-scale railroad. The handheld even has memory, so you can unplug and move to another location, while the train continues on. I had originally bought it new for an HO-scale layout many years ago. I have accidently tripped the circuit breaker several times and it has reset without problem. One pack I do NOT recommend is any with two throttles as you rob power from one to power the other. In other word, if you increase power on one, the other automatically reduces power.

Good luck and have fun.

Maurice

  • Member since
    April 2019
  • From: Pacific Northwest
  • 780 posts
Posted by SPSOT fan on Thursday, May 16, 2019 1:07 AM

I’d say go for Model Recrifier Corp. They made (and still do make) the best DC power packs. The Tech 2 is pretty good, popular, and I’ve seen them at used body shops for about $20 (a good price considering the new MRC controllers are $50).

Regards, Isaac

I model my railroad and you model yours! I model my way and you model yours!

  • Member since
    January 2017
  • From: Southern Florida Gulf Coast
  • 18,255 posts
Posted by SeeYou190 on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 7:21 PM

I use Troller power packs from that era exclusively for train control. They are all overload protected.

.

-Kevin

.

Living the dream.

  • Member since
    May 2010
  • From: SE. WI.
  • 8,253 posts
Posted by mbinsewi on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 5:11 PM

I'd go with MRC.  Model Rectifier Corp. 

Mike.

  • Member since
    September 2017
  • 95 posts
Older controller suggestions with Circuit Breakers (For New Layout, "Summer in the 90s")
Posted by Safety Valve on Wednesday, May 15, 2019 4:56 PM

Why Hi! Big Smile

So I have been busy at work building a New Model Railroad on a 2x4 piece of plywood, I will pick up discussion of that on Layouts and Layout Building sometime Thursday or Friday afternoon. However here is a Glimps of the layouts name "Summer in the 90s" Based on the famous image called "Bliss" by "Microsoft" the layout is dormant at the moment but progress will be picked up tomorrow.

Here is my Question : I am wondering what is the best company from the 1970s,1980s and 1990s that built controllers with good circuit breakers?? (Such as Life Like, Tyco, Mantua to name a few) what is the best controller by what company???? it would be appriciated! Wink their is a Hobby shop in my area that (Still) sells used working controllers for $15 a pop, so I will be picking one up this upcoming thrusday if I can find one Smile

Safety valve - Modeling "The Anywhere Railroad in any Scale at Any Time" (both Real and Fictional) in Pennsylvania since 2018

 

 

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