You are right about looking at swap meets or that famous (infamous) auction site. I had a Troller once and it was a very nice power pack.
I have two Trollers. The only suggestion I would have would be swap meets, and of course eBay and the other on-line trading sights.
There's a bunch of them on ebay ranging from $10 to $30 ....
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
They tended to overheat!
One of their models got them into trouble as they were afixing a UL label to it and it had not actually been submitted for testing (or it was and it failed). They always seemed like they should be a better product, assuming the ads showing the insides were accurate - if you've ever taken an MRC pack apart to look inside, they really look like an amateur home wiring job - yet they do just last and last. MRC also tends to rate their packs rather optimistically, which I think is aprt of the reason why people going ot DCC think they need 8 amp systems to run a few HO trains - they had an MRC pack that claimed 2 amps and it could barely run 2 HO locos.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I worked in a train store when the Troller packs came out, we sold a ton of them. They had problems with one model for a short time, stood behind every one.
Great product in its day, and if you find a good one today, it likely will serve you very well.
Overheat? only that one batch of defective ones. UL listing - yes they had an issue were for a short time one model was being sold but had not passed UL - that too was resolved.
I understand the legal and marketing aspects of UL, but having been an electrical designer and industrial electrician most of my life, I can't say the sun rises and sets on UL - they make mistakes just like any other human enterprise.
Sheldon
Most people misunderstand UL listings...they are not a guarantee that the product is a "good" product
Their listing just means that it is safe as built & when used under intended conditions
Several years ago our club received two Troller power packs among some donated trains; one single and one double-throttle model. The single was completely dead and one side of the dual throttle model did not work.
When we opened them up, we discovered that none of the parts had any markings to indicate what might be a suitable replacement. Internet searches failed to find a schematic of their internals, and Troller had been out of business for many years.
IIRC, we wound up throwing both away as unrepairable, because we were converting our layout to DCC at the time and had no use for them.
From what I read I don't see how UL made a mistake. Didn't they refuse to list the product until the concerns were met?
Yes, a UL listing only says that a product is safe when used under prescribed conditions. This from a MRR whose spouse worked for UL for nearly 40 years.
Oh, I owned 2 Troller packs over the years and used one until about 3 years ago. Good packs, limited amps and they did tend to get warm.
if you've ever taken an MRC pack apart to look inside, they really look like an amateur home wiring job - yet they do just last and last.
Last I heard MRC was still assembling their power packs in Edison NJ. I used to live around there until I moved across the bridge to Staten Island. Once even applied for a job with them.
Joe Staten Island West
I still have a Troller pack on my bench for testing DC engines. Bought it new in 74, still works like the day I bought it. Also had one of their walk-around throttles that blew an output transistor. Took a lot of searching and cross-referencing, but I managed to fix it.
No issues from my Autopulse Momentum 2.5, used almost everyday during non-fire season! Runs 2 Mantua Mikes, or up to 4 newer loco's up and down my grades all day!
Happy RR'ing!
Duane
I just bought a brand new mint condition Troller Autopulse 2.5 model 5000 on E-bay. I opened the box and plugged it in and everything worked except the voltage light was dimly lit. I put a volt meter on the track and it read 2 volts with the dial turned off. The loco was groaning on low voltage to go. I ran it around a few times and all of a sudden there was a pop and then smoke. I unplugged it right away. I waited a minute then plugged it in and everything seems to work and the same low voltage. i am thinking something got jostled in shipping and maybe grounded something out. Of course I am stuck with it but my bank made good on the cost and shipping. Would you have any ideas on a possibilty or who may be able to repair it
I had a Troller power pack back in the early 80's too, I think it was a twin also. I think my parents sold it when I was off to college. Later I bought a Star-Tec Hogger because it had a tethered throttle using a phone style RJ plug - to date it is the only decent DC power pack I have had for the past 20 years. I imagine as others said, the only place you'll find Trollers is on the secondary market at train shows or ebay.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983