Hi all,
Sorry for the beginner question, better safe than sorry. I got my first N scale loco today and I’m wondering if I could safely test it out with the old DC power packs I have. I have an ancient MRC “Dualpack” transformer model #770 with a DC output of 12V. I also have a cheap Bachmann transformer that has an output of 17V DC. Would either of these be okay to use for now? Thanks in advance.
as long as its a DC loco no matter how old the powerpack is DC power is DC power, Only problem you might have was not alot of it.
First, the higher the voltage, the faster a DC motor will turn.
The MRC will certainly not harm the locomotive. But you probably will not have much slow speed control, either. The older MRC’s used a variable resistor called a rheostat to adjust the voltage to the locomotive. The amount of voltage dropped in the rheostat depends upon the amount of current being drawn by the locomotive. Today’s locomotives draw mcuh less current than when the power pack was made. The result is as soon as you crack the throttle, the locomotive will get 6-8 volts and take off at a fairly good speed.
The 17V DC output on the Bachmann puzzles me. 12V is the normal maximum standard for HO and N trains. Unless the power pack was built for their G gauge trains, I can’t see a reason for that high a voltage output on the DC side.
If in fact the Bachmann has a 17V DC output, I wouldn’t use it for an N scale train. Motors in N scale are only rated for 12 volts, and the earliest N locomotives were 9 volts.
Best bet is to get an MRC Tech series power pack (Tech 2 or later). These use a transistor control to control the voltage instead of a rheostat. This will give you good control in the low speed range, regardless of the current draw.
hope this helps, and welcome to the world of model railroading!
Fred W
Either will run it, But I do not recamend using the Bachman one for an extended period, and Do not give it more than a 1/4 throttle…Trust me I found this it would an old Bluebox motor and an 18V Cordless drill battery…What Can I say I was bored!
Using anything above 12 volts DC will damage your engine. Lay off that Bachmann!! It is too risky.
Buying a MRC Tech 4 series will be a good investment.
Cheers,
I use an old Tyco power pack with my N scale trains. This one of the old, dark blue ones from the late 1970s. So far, no problems.
Thanks for the help everyone. I used the MRC throttle and nothing has blown up yet. I’m using this just for loco and track testing. I will be going DCC as soon as I have all the track down.