Hi,
As the snow melts and the track comes into view, one's thoughts turn to the new season at hand and the wish list for supplies.
We have a LGB starter set with a couple of extra cars added. We have about 80 feet of track with a small grade (unknown % at the moment but could be max 3%) up the back straight-away. It would be nice at some point to obtain a larger engine unit, perhaps one with a nice sound unit. I'm using the supplied 1 amp transformer and throttle and it seems to have served us well thus far. Although, we do seem to need to have the throttle near maximum before the train starts moving. We rarely need to run it slow on the throttle as max seems to be slow enough. We've run a friend's train using the same set-up and it would be travelling at break-neck speed at the same settings. Is this a problem somewhere along the system or is this a common situation with starter engines?
I was in the semi-local train store over the weekend and was shown what the salesperson called the Rolls-Royce of transformers, a Bridgewerks 5 amp transformer/throttle. The 5 amp unit was presented as a very nice upgrade that would serve our layout and any minor thoughts of upgrades/expansions well over the next few years.
What are thoughts and opinions on this particular model vs anything else on the market? Also, would our engine be able to pull another car or two up the incline with a larger amp unit?
thanks,
michael
5 amps is Ok, but before you buy, what are your plans for the future?
A pair of SD-45's or Dash-9's will draw more than 5 amps. as will a pair of PA's.
I like my 10 amp controllers on a 13 amp supply. Plenty of reserve power.
The Bridgewerks 5 amp is more like the BMW of powerpacks, the Rolls Royce is definetly their 10 amp monster powerpack, enough juice their to charge up Frankenstien's beasty!
My layout is about 10' x 20' and I'm also using a standard LGB 1 amp pack but also with a Crest "Basic Train Engineer" (BTE) R/C throttle controller. I dig the BTE but its got a 2 amp power limit so I'm kinda stuck with the LGB pack, but the freedom of tether-free operations where I can follow the train and control it track side will making switching manuvours, makes it well worth it, besides so far I havent noticed any limitations with the 1 amp pack, trains run fine one end to the other.
Have fun with your trains
I just gotthe LGB outdor throttle with the 6 amp power supply. What a difference it makes on my track. Ridge road has it. A bit expensive but worth it. It will last you a long time.
I am on my third power supply now.
I am convinced now that you cannot have too much power. I should have bought the 10amp unit the first time. More powerful transformers run cooler, and can run more trains at the same time. My BTE runs better when hooked to the 10 amp supply than when hooked to the 5 amp. It does not 'trip' the internal breaker as much running the exact same consist.
aspinallar wrote: I am on my third power supply now.I am convinced now that you cannot have too much power. I should have bought the 10amp unit the first time. More powerful transformers run cooler, and can run more trains at the same time. My BTE runs better when hooked to the 10 amp supply than when hooked to the 5 amp. It does not 'trip' the internal breaker as much running the exact same consist.
Just curious but when you say BTE are you refering to the single train "Basic" Train Engineer which has the orange controller, or the standard multi-train "Train Engineer" with the black controller. I ask because the Orange one only has a 2 amp max rating
there are no immediate extravagant plans for an empire. The backyard is only so big and must share space with the family! Also, I don't think that are curves are big enought for the aforementioned engines! A 5 amp (or 10) could serve us well for a long time.
Do you reckon then that a larger amp unit would enable the engine to run better?
JITO wrote: Hi, there are no immediate extravagant plans for an empire. The backyard is only so big and must share space with the family! Also, I don't think that are curves are big enought for the aforementioned engines! A 5 amp (or 10) could serve us well for a long time.Do you reckon then that a larger amp unit would enable the engine to run better?michael
I would say go with what you can afford. If you dont mind paying the extra $ then go with the most power. For me I had a budget so I went with the 6amp. I only have around 60ft of track and one train will be run at a time. Any future expansions will probably be a seperate line anyway.
Maybe I'm weird having been around huge power supplies but I have three, count 'em 3, MRC 6200 power supplies and am very happy. Each one will run 2 LGB moguls or 2 Bachmann Annies. Often the Stainz is running at the same time.
Of course, it's in-doors only operations, but with over 10 boxes of track (12 sections in each, about a foot each), I'm not hurting for power and I have block capability without spending a fortune, the track was bad enough!
Where does all that extra power go and why is it needed? Maybe I should go out and buy a few power hogs, but 6 engines seems plenty for an indoor setup. Yep, I also have a Hartland American, too, but the pony truck doesn't always want to stay on the track and that's dicey enough with a 2 amp power supply! I'd need more fire extinguishers if it was powered by 10 amp welding supply.
Art
vsmith wrote: The Bridgewerks 5 amp is more like the BMW of powerpacks, the Rolls Royce is definetly their 10 amp monster powerpack,
The Bridgewerks 5 amp is more like the BMW of powerpacks, the Rolls Royce is definetly their 10 amp monster powerpack,
That's a consist of USA F-3's, ABBA, with Phoenix sound and 18 USA lighted streamliner passengers. Pulls 22 to 24 amps at 20 to 22 volts of power.....
All depends on how LARGE "you" want to go......see....
I will post some past and updated, proposed expansion construction shots later.....
Byron
thanks for all your help. After all of the discussions, I'm thinking that a 5 amp might not be thinking enough of future thoughts and ideas. A 10 or 15 would be a better purchase for the long-term.
Now, where are all the coins that have dropped in between the couch cushions?
JITO wrote: thanks for all your help. After all of the discussions, I'm thinking that a 5 amp might not be thinking enough of future thoughts and ideas. A 10 or 15 would be a better purchase for the long-term. Now, where are all the coins that have dropped in between the couch cushions? michael
Suggestion, go 20 amp, will do you for awhile, what I started with.
I agree with what's been said so far, I would purchase the largest powersupply you think you can afford. While 5, 10, or even 15 looks like lots of power now, that can be used up very quickly. I like the Bridgewerks power supplies but they are expensive. I first bought the Mag S 15amp PS and within a year and half, I was looking for something bigger. Ended up buying the highest amp power supplies that Bridgewerks sells.
Beware of the Mag-15 power brick (not the Mag S 15 Throttle) for MTH DCS or DCC applications, they put up 33+ volts. I think they are only made to power the Bridgewerks unpowered throttles.
Raymond
www.rayman4449.dynip.com
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