Has anyone heard if MRC is going to upgrade their Prodigy II DCC system from 3.5 amp power to 5 amp power or so. Still deciding system to use when I convert my 23 year old layout to DCC. I've got this summer too decide and have been studying pro's and con's of each brand before I take the plunge. I have heard that MRC is coming out with 10 amp for large scales which is to much for my needs. Doug
Doug,
They key here is how many engines will be running on your layout? I have 10 amps(command station & booster) for my layout - I really do not need anywhere close to that much power. I usually have about 16 engines(most have sound) on the layout. What I did want was a lot of features, and the 'big' systems were the only one available 15 years ago.
The smaller 2-3.5 amp systems were not really available back then(at least with 'full' features like the big systems). There are several systems(Digitrax Zephyr Xtra/NCE Powercab/MRC Prodigy) that are expandable - You have choices. If you get a chance, try out various systems at clubs/LHS/home layouts to get a 'feel' for the throttles and see if the systems can provide the features you really want. Being expandable and having the 'features' you want are the key items for a buying decision.
For me; 'wireless' is nice, but not really needed. What I found out was that a computer interface was very desirable - it is so easy to program engines and speed match them. I have a 'high end' system, with wireless, remote digital scale clocks and a computer interface. I have been in DCC since 1994, and I would never go back to my old DC 'cab control' days. My layout was started back in 1987(24 years old). If I started a new smaller layout, I would seriously look at some of these new smaller systems.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
I agree with Jim regarding the amperage. I am running an MRC Prodigy Advance 2 with the original 3.5 amp power supply which is plenty. I have ran as amny as 10 DCC Sound locos pulling 25 cars each up a 2% grade with no problems.
I have an RRamp Meter inline between the output and track (made to measure vlotage/Amps for DCC) and have never seen more than a 2.5 Amp draw even starting out. And the fan of the MRC has never come on due to overheating.
Do make sure to run appopriate guage wire to multiple locations around your layout and most importantly solder the track connectors.
Thom