Hello every body,
My current layout is run on DC and it uses a variety of power packs. Due to the variety of power packs, the differences in performance and reactions from the locomotives, I thought that there might be interest in the experiences gained. Also there seem to occasionally be questions about power packs and hope that this is of help.
My oldest power pack is a Life Like Model 2952. It is a small steel box with a toggle switch for forward and reverse and a throttle that reads in MPH. Capacity is 10 VA, Probably made in the 80's.
This unit is used for cleaning the wheels of the locotives, basically there is a thin rag over the tracks with alcohol in the rag and I hold onto the locomotive as it runs with one set of axles on the rag, the other set of axles on the track. The power pack serves very well for this purpose and has enough power to get the job done. It has very limited power and speed control is dismal.
In my Presidents Choice trainset there was a power pack. It came with a wall transformer that has a output of 8 VA.
Enough to run a locomotive by itself, control of the locomotive is good, in the sense that one can start slowly and the motor does not growl. It has limited walk around capability but is trainset quality and does not have enough power to run mainline HO trains.
The MRC 220 power pack was purchased new from a hobby store. It is a Tech 4 with a ON/OFF button, Direction button, Momentum button and a brake button. It is rated at 17 VA.
This power pack can make my locomotives Crawl. The speed control is great and the motors from the locomotives are quiet. No growling or humming that is readily noticeable. This power pack has been used over the years to also power the main line on my layouts with freights that were double or triple headed without a issue. Overall I am quite happy with this unit, It does not have walk around capability.
At a train show I purchased a MRC 350 with Memory. This is a Tech 4 power pack with a walk around throttle. It was used extensively by the previous owner but functions well. It puts out 30 VA which makes it quite suitable for main line work. The extra functions on this power pack are the following buttons: Program, Momentum, Max woltage, Direction, Stop, and Brake.
This power pack, unlike the MRC 220 makes my engines quite noisy. The motors growl, so to try an remedy this situation I put a capacitor in parallel with the tracks. This cut down the noise from the motor as the capacitor smoothens out the DC going to the motor but not as much as the MRC 220. Also by putting in the capacitor the slow start control is not as good anymore. The good features are that it has a walk around throttle with memory and one can program the momentum and max voltage. Overall a fair unit one can purchase fairly reasonable at a train show.
My next throttle is a VARIPULSE manufactured by STAPLETON ELECTRONICS. If you have not heard of this manufacturer, do not be surprised. He sells his products on Ebay and manufacturers all items in Hamilton Ontario. Here is the persons web page: http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM
It is a unit where one can also adjust the momentum on. I got the 3A unit. It is a small hand held unit that has a Forward,OFF,Reverse switch. Power is transferred with a four conductor wire that is about 1/4 in diameter The wire is a 24 awg four conductor that is about 8 feet long. This unit is great for switching a yard, for it also gives good slow speed performance. It does not have a memory, which means one can not unplug this unit, unlike the MRC 350. The locomotives growl or hum just almost as much as they do with the MRC 350. I used this unit on my maniline for a while and found that it got quite warm in the hand when asked to provide power for multiple unit lash ups. Also with 4 six axles the speed control was good to a certain throttle setting. Once past this setting the locomotives would lurch forward to a higher speed with out any prior warning. When only operating with two engines this did not occur. Also this unit needs another power source to operate. A wall transformer or in my case the MRC350 is used to supply it with AC power. It is a decent unit without the bells and whistles and gets a job done, as long as it does not have to put out too much power.
My last throttle is the MRC Control Master 20. It is a 100 VA unit that comes with a hand held control. It has a Momentum, Brake and ON, OFF switch. The power output makes it very suitable for main line operations, it is also capable of handling G scale locomotives. Unlike all the previous throttles or power packs, this unit has enough power to not decrease the speed of the locomotives on the track when another one is added. Not even when you already have 15 engines running on the track.
I really really like this unit. Tested it with 16 locomotives all running at once on my main line and no heating, no strange voltage surges, just great control. Made all the engines crawl with this power pack, all at once. The locomotives run even more quiet with greater speed control then with my MRC 220. The walk around throttle has memory, Momentum, Forward/Reverse and Brake. All functions make for smooth operations the locomotives run extremely quiet. A BB Athearn with this power pack is as quiet as s Kato with the MRC 350 or Varipulse throttles. I very highly recommend this power pack for main line and switching operations.
My last power pack/source is my computer power supply. There are a number of discussions about using a computer power supply for your layout. Mine serves me very well, considering that it produces enough power for all my lights and turn outs with its three voltages of 3.3volt, 5volt and 12 volt. The only recommendation is that you use some system of fusing to prevent the conductors from burning off the insulation which could create a fire hazard in the case of a short circuit. Yes, smelled the insulation smoking with a short on my street light conductors that are only 30 awg or smaller. My solution was to use inline fuse holders found at automotive stores with a 1.5 amp fuse max.
I hope that is of use for people looking for power packs for DC operation.
Frank
"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."
Craig North Carolina
How many blocks? 14 blocks and in these blocks there are 18 switchable track sections. This is in a room that is 9 by 11 feet, has a 30 inch radius helix that connects three levels and a loop that goes below for staging. Waiting for it to get warmer out so I can make up more trees. Once the scenery is complete, who knows what will be done next. Might even expand.
As for the MRC products, you are right they make a great product. Have thought of going to DCC but being a lone operator and not being too keen on sound I find that DC suits my needs quite well.
Take care