I know the 6 amp DC controller that came with my set runs at least one oval track, but can it run enough track to make, lets say, 2 ovals and some switching areas without any problems? Thanks in advance to all who respond.
Carl,
If it were me, I would plunk the $$$ for a good, solid MRC power pack - e.g. Tech 4 220 or 260. Even the Railpower 1370 should be able to handle that. 6 amps just isn’t going to do it.
Tom
Amps or volts?
If we are talking about amps, I would say a total of 6 would be plenty for all but the most ambitious and industrious of solitary users. I don’t come close to using the 5 amps my SEB provides me.
Certainly, though, as Tom alludes, you would probably want a separate controller for each loop so that at least at that grossly discrete level you could operate the loops independently. Blocking in each loop would afford you even more finely resolved operation.
-Crandell
If it’s HO or N and the loops don’t run all the way around your house, 6 amps should be plenty. But a single DC controller will only allow you to control 1 train at a time.
How many amps you need does not depend on the size of your layout, but on how much current the locomotives and any accessories draw. You can run a full basement layout off of 6 amps as long as you have adequate wiring and are not trying to draw more than 6 amps. Wiring does become more critical with a larger layout because of voltage drops in the wiring.
I believe the short answer to your question is yes.
However #1, a single DC controller can only control only one train at a time. One would have to include some other type of controller unit and wiring (block / cab) to run multiple trains independently and simultaniously.
However #2, 6 amps of power should be enough to run about 12 modern HO scale locomotives if the wiring is heavy enough. Are we talking HO scale here or N, O, S, G?
“6 amp controller that came with the set” Most G scale sets I’ve seen don;t even come with a 6 amp power supply. I’ll bet it says 6 VA, which at 12 volts equates to about half an amp. That’s a bare minimum for HO, but it’s not the size of the layotu that determines how much power you need, it’s how many trains you plan on running. You can fill a room with track and run just one loco on it with a basic train set power pack - you’ll need proper feeders, not just 2 wires to the track, as the drop in all that rail plus the inconsistent nature of rail joiners will mean you’d be greatly disappointed as your train slowed down and stalled at various palces…
–Randy
I had an MRC Tech II 2500 (actually 2 of them in cab control, but you can only use one at a time:) that ran an 8x12 doubletrack oval with 2 passing tracks, three switching areas and a 6 track yard. No problems.
Yes Sir, it is HO scale. I have been considering doing two loops, one DC controller for each, then I had thought about making it one large layout (The same distance as with two), and using only one DC controller, of course, limiting my running to only 1 engine at a time. Trying to decide on the best way without going to DCC at this time. Thanks, Carl
Looks like might need a MRC TECH II 2500 to accomplish this, and also some feeders. Thanks guys for all your help.
If you want a really good DC throttle at a reasonable cost, you should look at the Aristo Craft Train Engineer. It is a wireless radio DC throttle and has pluse width modulation for excelent slow speed. The Train Engineer transmitter and reciever sell for less than $200. It requires a seperate power supply but works well with regulated 12 power supplies like those sold to power CB radios at home, which can be bought for about $20.
Sheldon