3 rail O runs on AC I get it
2 rail O runs on DC fine
my question, I have an MRC Tech II 2500, will that be enough to push anything bigger than HO? if not what would you recommend?
I run dc on my HO layout but am looking into O, I like the size.
Any other pitfalls I should be looking out for, other than price?
manufacturers that produce primarily H0 products; when they experiment with 0 scale products, they tend to adapt the H0 technology to the larger scale (an 0 scale locomotive with an H0 motor). an H0 transformer will work for these.
manufacturers that are primarily 0 scale tend to use bigger motors, and it follows they would need bigger electricity. since i cannot afford that stuff, i can’t say for sure.
I’m pretty sure that Atlas O 2-rail diesels can be run with an HO power-pack just fine. Just make sure you don’t let them stall, because they have two motors, each with a 1 or 1.5 amp stall current, which totals 2-3 amps when stalled.[:O]
The 2500 should be fine for O scale. Some of the smaller packs may have trouble. For multiple locomotives you’ll have to check their total current draw.
Enjoy
Paul
As others have said, the power pack should be fine, just check the max Amp rating on the pack and compare that to the amps drawn by your locos. I’ve managed to run two LGB 0-4-0s and a couple of lighted coaches in G scale on a 1 amp power pack before now, although that would seem to be the upper limit!
So if I was to want to run say three Atlas 2 rail O loco’s, what type of transformer would you guys recommend? Keep in mind I am not looking at DCC at this time.
BTW you can run three rail O on DC, AC motors do work on DC (even without a bridge rectifier), it’s vice-versa that you get into trouble.
I’m not sure what voltage the Altas locos use - guessing it’s standard 0-12V DC? If so, any conventional power pack will do, just pick one with a good amp rating. The Gaugemaster website (one of the big names in power supplies over here) seems to recommend a 2.5 amp power pack, at least, their O scale ones have that output.
Yes, that’s what the voltage that the Atlas O engines run on.[:D]
Good to know. Thanks for the tip.
Is there a website out there that addresses this kind of stuff?
I really like the size of O, but unfortunatly do not know a whole lot about the mechanics.
3 rail O has worked for me.