dcc power outputs

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I have 2 questions…1) What does the average loco use in amps in general terms

2)In amps what is the output of the mrc prodigy express

Being very new to dcc i’m wanting more info on making a choice on what system to purchase.Any help would be most welcome.Thanks

2

There’s lots and lots of info on DCC here on this forum, particularly Prodigy Express. Do a search on it to get a lot of good info. The Prodigy Express, if I recall, is 1.6 amps.

3

Perisher,

I’m not a DCC expert, but I believe a sound equipped DCC locomotive will draw about .6 Amps, and a non-sound locomotive would draw less. Regarding the output of the Prodigy Express, the power output is 1.6 Amps.

I hope this helps.

Don Z.

4

That depends largely on the age and quality of the locomotive. All of my modern models that I have measured draw between 250-500 mA. assuming they have no sound. Average 350mA. Do I have an average fleet? Who knows.

For older units like the Athearn Blue box, I would get measurements from 800-1200 mA. So I always just used the 1A as average.