I am looking for a quality DC powerpack to replace the train set power packs I have been using for locomotive testing (Bachmann/Tyco). Rapido warns against using MRC 1300 series powerpacks (also has voltage spikes).
What DC powerpack would you recommend?
Guess I will have to hook up my MRC 1370 to my scope and/or my peak reading multimeter and see if it spikes, because that’s what I use. I can’t see this hurting a DC loco, and there’s no point in DC testing a loco that already comes with a DCC decoder installed. I’ve been using it to run some DC locos back and forth on sections of flex track to test sound transmission of various roadbed combinations and it certainly hasn’t hurt any of them.
–Randy
Unless someone else places a DCC locomotive on the DC test track, or I use a circle of track to break in a locomotive on DC (my layout design does not have a continuous loop…hmm I could just use my Power Cab for break in). Still would like to have a quality DC power pack that does not have voltage spikes.
MRC power packs have, for as long as I can remember, been THE decent quality DC power packs recommended by MR magazine. I can’t think of anything else still around that could be suggested. If MRC ain’t it, I don’t know what is.
I have 6 of them scattered around my DCC powered layout to power everything from signals to Tortoises to control panels.
Rich
I have two Railpower 1370s. Utilitarian…but solid performers.
Tom
I have a MRC 1370 and a MRC 2400, I checked both with my scope and both are super clean . . . . No Spikes!
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Thats good to hear. Im going to stop by my local shop this morning and see what he has in MRC power packs.
Here is a link to rapido’s warning:
http://rapidotrains.com/ho-emd-fl9-support/
They might just mean the Railpower 1300? But why would th
Because they mean just that. All of the MRC power packs beginning with the number 13, so that would include the 1370. I wonder what MRC has to say about that warning.
Rich
Within the instruction manual they specifically call out the 1300 only. Not the whole series. The RDC manual might say series in it though specifically calls out 1300 and 1370. I wonder if its a case of a specific year production run of a multi-run product that has this issue, and as such Rapido made a blanket statement telling their customers not to use these powerpacks, and if they do, they will not get repair support for their locomotives.
You might want to email Jason at Rapido.
Rich
I dont actually own any of his locomotives (yet), but I guess I should ask the question.
Email sent.
Don’t know why anyone would knock MRC packs. I’ve used them exclusively since 1959, ending up with two Controlmaster 20s. When I went to DCC, I retained a less powerful one to run the turnout machines - which its done flawlessly over the last 8 years. Like anything else, you will get what you pay for. If you are able and “in to” the hobby, I would get the best one you can.
From what I can tell they are only “knocking” 2 MRC power packs. I dont believe they would do that unless they have had a rash of incidents with those specific models causing permanent damage to the ESU decoders.
I think I even have an MRC product back home from my N scale days. I think it was in a white box, so I guess that makes it a Tech 4?
I still haven’t dug mine out to view the output on my scope, but my guess is these models might use PWM, which will just confuse the heck out of a decoder that is trying to sense DC or DCC. Got a hockey game to go to but I will try to remember to bring it up with me when I get back.
–Randy
I decided to really dig into my MRC power packs, I have a sack full dating back to 1958. I used a 1157 automotive light bulb (.6 amps) as a load during my testing.
After checking 7 MRC power packs & my Soundmaster 210 and finding no spikes I decided to see what it looks like with full throttle and flipping the reversing switch back and fourth on my MRC 7000 and I did see a slight spike both directions. I do not think that any conscience model railroader would attempt that while operating his layout, that could easily screw up a locomotive.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, Californ
[Y]
[quote user=“RR_Mel”]
I decided to really dig into my MRC power packs, I have a sack full dating back to 1958. I used a 1157 automotive light bulb (.6 amps) as a load during my testing.
After checking 7 MRC power packs & my Soundmaster 210 and finding no spikes I decided to see what it looks like with full throttle and flipping the reversing switch back and fourth on my MRC 7000 and I did see a slight spike both directions. I do not think that any conscience model railroader would attempt that while operating his layout, that could easily screw up a locomotive.
Mel
Modeling the early to mid 1950s SP in HO scale since 1951
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield
I decided to go with the TECH 2 Railmaster 2400, because it has an on-off switch for pulse. I seem to remember hearing or reading somewhere else not to use Pulse with DCC decoders, but I dont remember where I saw that.