Hello every body,
My current layout is run on DC and it uses a variety of power packs. Due to the variety of power packs, the differences in performance and reactions from the locomotives, I thought that there might be interest in the experiences gained. Also there seem to occasionally be questions about power packs and hope that this is of help.
My oldest power pack is a Life Like Model 2952. It is a small steel box with a toggle switch for forward and reverse and a throttle that reads in MPH. Capacity is 10 VA, Probably made in the 80’s.
This unit is used for cleaning the wheels of the locotives, basically there is a thin rag over the tracks with alcohol in the rag and I hold onto the locomotive as it runs with one set of axles on the rag, the other set of axles on the track. The power pack serves very well for this purpose and has enough power to get the job done. It has very limited power and speed control is dismal.
In my Presidents Choice trainset there was a power pack. It came with a wall transformer that has a output of 8 VA.
Enough to run a locomotive by itself, control of the locomotive is good, in the sense that one can start slowly and the motor does not growl. It has limited walk around capability but is trainset quality and does not have enough power to run mainline HO trains.
The MRC 220 power pack was purchased new from a hobby store. It is a Tech 4 with a ON/OFF button, Direction button, Momentum button and a brake button. It is rated at 17 VA.
This power pack can make my locomotives Crawl. The speed control is great and the motors from the locomotives are quiet. No growling or humming that is readily noticeable. This power pack has been used over the years to also power the main line on my layouts with freights that were double or triple headed without a issue. Overall I am qu