I’ve got a Model Power Chessie Plymouth switcher that runs rediculously fast. It has one speed…FAST. Is it the transformer? I can’t imagine it being made to run as fast as it does. I’ve got your regular Tyco transformer(Which I will be replacing soon) Is there a certain voltage to look for that will make all engines happy and run at slow speeds?
Thanks!
Hmmmm…have you taken it back to the place you bought it (assuming it was a brick-and-mortar place)?
If it’s running only one speed, are you able to pull any cars with it? I can’t imagine why it would be running flat out, unless there’s something with your transformer. I know this sounds silly, but do you have the leads connected to variable DC instead of straight DC? If you do, then it may be a short inside the secondary coil of the transformer, allowing the full 12 volts to go to the tracks.
You might take it to your LHS and try running it on a test track there. That would at least give you two indications - either it’s the locomotive, or it’s the power pack. My guess is that it’s the power pack.
The problem is that a trainset power packr typically has a variable resistor in series with the transformer for controlling the speed. This works fine with a locomotive matched to the pack. A locomotive with a motor that has less resistance than intended will not start until a higher throttle setting, one that has more resistance will start at almost full speed.
The solution is a transitor power pack (my favorite is MRC Tech II 2500). Any of the MRC Tech II, Tech 3 or Tech 4 pack will do fine.
Another excellent opinion!
I’ve got a question. How do you hook up a Tech 4 to EZ or True Trak?
A good quality power pack would probably help some, but the main problem is the the motor amd gearing.
I would have to agree with nfmisso. I had the same problem with a Peco engine. At the time I had a Tech 4 220 and an old Tyco transformer (running two tracks). The engine ran fine with the Tech 4. The pots in the Tyco went bad and the rest is history, I replaced it with another Tech 4 220 and the problem was solved. I was able to determine the pots was bad by using a volt/ohm meter.
Thanks for the advice. I’m looking at a tech II and tech IV right now. I don’t want to break the bank, but I want to run my trains nicely. Thanks everyone!