hi guys. does anyone here own a MRC TECH 4 220 train controller. looking at buying a couple of them but output ranges up to 23v dc depending on which site i looked at… what is the actual voltage. i would have thought 23v would be bordering on damaging the motors.
The MRC Tech 4 220 is 16va
Most Internet sites don’t understand what they’re selling and list erroneous information. The Tech 4 220 has an output rating of 16 va, or volt-amps. Unless you intend to run your trains at full throttle, the maximum output voltage rating is of no consequence. The va rating determines how many trains it can safely handle without overloading.
TF,
If you’re interested in specs, it’s always best to get them from the manufacturer directly. Here’s the direct link from MRC:
Tom
The spec sheet does list it as 23 volts maximum
Volt-Amps is only indirectly related to voltage. They are NOT the same thing. VA is similar to watts (it gets complicated). The unit is derrived from the product of voltage and current.
For example: 10 VA can be 1 amp at 10 volts, 1/2 amp at 20 volts, 2 amps at 5 volts or anything else that multiplies out to 10.
That supply at 16VA and 23VDC max can conceivably put out 23 volts at 0.7 amperes. Don’t worry though, you’ll probably destroy the train by it flying off onto the floor before the high voltage level hurts the motor. 
(inflation).
In other words, just set it to below maximum.
thanks for the information esp. larak. that has set my mind at ease. knowing my loco
wont spontaniously combust at full throttle unless i drive it off the table[:D]