ModelRailroadForums.com is a free Model Railroad Discussion Forum and photo gallery. We cover all scales and sizes of model railroads. Online since 2002, it's one of the oldest and largest model railroad forums on the web. Whether you're a master model railroader or just getting started, you'll find something of interest here.
I am in the market for a new DC transistorized power pack with momentum, better yet, a dual pack. My old pack, according to my electronics supplier, puts out too many DC volts (20.5), and it plays havoc with interior lighting and strobes.
The lights module cannot take more than 16 volts. My first thought is that can only16 volts sufficiently power my 1980’s blue box Athearns?
I live in a small town and do not have access to local hobby shop wisdom.
I can't answer your question about your 80s blue box Athearn's locomotives, but I know MB Klein/Modeltrainstuff.com can and will answer your questions. Most of the guys working their are modelers too. Toll Free Phone: 1.888.410.2672 Support department is open: Monday - Friday:
9:30am - 5:00pm EST
(6:30am - 2:00pm PST) Saturday:
9:00am - 5:00pm EST
(6:00am - 2:00pm PST) Sunday: CLOSED
I also found a MRC 1278 Tech 7 AMPAC 780 Dual Action Train Control $69.99 I am not sure if it has all the features you are looking for but you can take a look and ask them about it if you call as well.
Their shipping rates are very reasonable too. I live 20 minutes from them, but many times I just have them ship to me because its cheap and I am lazy, I just had a Lionel O gauge GG1 and a few other small things shipped to me via UPS ground for $11.51.
Do you have ristors in your light circut it will pull down the voltage before it gets to the lights. you will probly need to do that with any power pack.
"30 volt peaks" might be there but without an oscilloscope to actually look at the track voltage (under load) it is just a guess on his part. Have you tried your rolling stock on another layout? Or have you tried your power pack on other people's locos?
how about a 1370 mrc power pack reasonable price and close to your needs . I used a scale on there web site for my needs. I would also check train swap meets and resale shops for better prices,there products almost last forever. I believe in precise information at all times when it can be gotten,we all need this info.
I know why they would say that about the 1300 series. I don't understand why the 1400 would be on that list. I believe I have three of them. Did they not like them just because of the age, or maybe that they were under powered? I agree a 2400 is better, but would not take the 1400 off my list either. The only reason you don't want a dual is because they share power, such that throttling up one side can slow the other side down and vice versa.
Having said that, if I was looking today I would be going for a Tech 4-260, a Tech 3-9500, or the latest Tech 7 AMPAC-760. You can see my propensity toward the 9500 at last year's Christmas display control table since two are represented there. View attachment 46010
Don't know if you have decided anything or made a purchase yet, but having re-read this thread with some more careful thought..... You might want to really look at the output of the MRC 760. The MRC site (http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=13443)says output is 23VDC, which makes no sense to me because the AC output is listed as only 18.5V. Usually DC is lower due to power lost in the rectification and control circuitry. I am guessing they have those reversed. But my bigger point is if you really want no chance of getting more than 16V to the rails it looks like The MRC AMPAC 700 is your better bet.
The AC output might be on a separate transformer secondary winding.
But if the same, the peak voltage of the 18.5VAC would be 26-volts. Take away about 1-1/2 volts for a 4-diode bridge rectifier and you wind up with around 24.5 VDC-peak.
If there is no appreciable current load on the thing - and if there are any capacitors of significant size after the rectifiers - the voltage might achieve the peak voltage mentioned. Lacking a schematic, that's the best I can come up with.
However, I'm in the opposite camp. Electricity has been my friend since before grade school. Always 100% predictable.