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Defective Tech4 350 power pack?

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  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Ontario
  • 737 posts
Defective Tech4 350 power pack?
Posted by da_kraut on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 9:37 PM

Hello everybody,

decided to post this subject here rather then the electronics page of the forum due to the fact that more people are active on this page.  

My Tech4 350 power pack complete with walk around throttle was purchased at a train show as a used item.  Finally got the chance to hook it up as well.  As a referench there is a Tech4 220 power pack beside it which was purchased new and is also why I noticed this peculiour situation.  When powering the locomotive with the 220 pack it is quiet and smooth (either Kato, Atlas or P2K engines are being used).  When powering the same locomotive with the 350 power pack there first is a noticeable hum before the engine starts to move.  Also the silky smooth starts and stops turn into abrupt starts and stops.  

As a comparison to both power packs I grabbed an old Life Like christmas gift set power pack that is quite old.  The engines ran more quiet on this pack then on the Tech4 350.

So the questions that follow regarding the Tech4 350 are: Has anybody else had the same experience where the motors from the engines hum loudly before they move?  What actions have you taken?  Can I damage my locomotives with the Tech4 350?  Does anybody have any idea what needs repair, if anything?

Thank you

Frank 

PS: Yes I know use it to power the lights and get DCC.  Will do but not now. 

"If you need a helping hand, you'll find one at the end of your arm."

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