Merging NCE Power Cab and MRC Tech 2

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Another DCC question. I have a 4’ x 26’ ( roughly ) layout. I’m currently only using a 4’ x 8’ section. But knowing that I will need additional power I’ve come across a MRC Tech 2 Railmaster 2400 DC power source fro nothing ( yes it works ). Can I simply use the MRC as additional power by connecting it to the track thru the “fixed DC connection” on the rear of the box and flipping it on? The MRC has this on the back: Output 14VDC, 18.5VAC, 15VDC TOTAL 17VA.

2

No.

You can use the MRC unit in one of 2 ways.

The first use is possibly as a power supply for your DCC system. In that case, it would be wired to the DCC system, not the track. But most “starter” DCC systems have their own power supply, and put out more power than the Tech 2 (just over 1 amp total for all terminals).

You can use it as the 2nd power pack/controller in a DC block wiring scheme. The DCC system would be the 1st power pack/controller. By doing this, you can switch your layout from DC to DCC (or vice versa) by flipping all the block toggles to one controller or the other and removing any incompatible locomotives from the layout.

Fred W

3

Okay. I thought that I could get some additional amperage from the MRC. So I cannot wire that into my Power Cab system and get that additional amp? NUTS.

4

Jay,

Nope. If you need or want more amps, you’ll need to purchase their Smart Booster (SB3). This will raise the total output of the Power Cab from 1.7A to 3A. If you want to divide your layout up into power districts, their DB3s (3A “dumb” boosters) can be daisy-chained to the SB3s for addtional power. (The Power Cab has a 3A limit on it.)

Sparky, if you want to read about what the Smart Booster adds to your Power Cab, either click on the Smart Booster link in the paragraph above, or go to my web site link at the bottom of this post and click on Reviews. The review of the SB3 contains both pictures and a list of it’s features, as well as comments and questions by others.

As far as the Tech II power pack, you can always use it to power either your layout lighting or your turnouts.

Hope that helps…

Tom