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[quote user="CPMAXIM"]I don't post much, but log on almost daily and always seem to learn something from everyone here. I'm running HO using DC. Yesterday while running a pair of MU'd P2K switchers, they suddenly stopped. After some trouble-shooting, I determined that "one"side" of my power pack had blown.  I have Model Redtifier Corp's Tech 4 MRC 280 (dual DC controls).  The "other side" of the power pack still works.  I had an extra one (not hooked up yet) sitting around so it is now installed. So, my questions are....is it worth getting someone to repair the broken pack?  Or best to just buy another one?  The one that broke has been getting moderate use since I installed it approx 1 and a half years ago.  I have 4 of them in total......is it reasonable to expect that the other ones will fail soon? I'm not much of an electrician and do not have voltage meters etc.  I will also ask at both the LHS's here in town about repairs but any tips, suggestions and comments I get here will be greatly appreciated. Many Thanks in advanceMaxCanadian PacificHO DC[/quote] when you say "blown" do you mean that the side stopped working completely? or did it just stop responding to throttle changes? as i found out recently due to my own MRC meltdown, there isnt much going on inside the case of those things. basically it is a transformer, full wave rectifier, a pot, a resistor, cap and the voltage regulator - which is the "brain," so to speak, of the controller. its what in combination with your input on the throttle what the outgoing voltage is. its also where the overload protection is hiding.. it comes integrated in the IC as a feature and cant really be "fixed" if it doesnt reset itself. i would imagine that this is where your problem is. when i opened mine up i found that the model of regulator they were using was something that was widely unavailable.. so i basically had to rebuild my unit to accept a more "normal" regulator. my railpower stopped working while under only a 0.6A load. so it seems that YMMV when it comes to those things. however, for a $20 trip to RS i was able to rebuild it into a dual control unit complete with a 50A full wave bridge rectifier and 2 1.5A voltage regulators. however i dont recommend you attempt to fix your unit unless you REALLY know what youre doing because there is LIVE and LETHAL line voltage involved.
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