soon i’ll need larger power packs for my ho scale layout. for the main line i’m currently using a small life-like p-p it’s control panel says total ouput 7va i’m sure it’ll only run one engine. i saw an atlas 1700 p-p it said total output 17va is that enough to run 2 engines it wouln’t have to run accesiories(i use an old tyco p-p to run accesories) this is for DC
17VA is equivalent to saying 17 Watts. That should be adequate for two trains, depending on their age and the motors used.
Look at MRC stuff. I got a couple at trains shows. They work, are up to date and only cost a little.
Be careful you don’t get an N gauge. It will not run your HO very fast. I use one on my logging branch and it is just fine. I have one with two cabs in one pack.
The MRC Tech 4 series (200, 220, 400, & 440) are great transformers. I have run as much as 13 locomotives on my MRC 200 without a slight power shortage.
I’ll chime in for MRC also. I have liked all of the MRC powerpacks I’ve had. I sent in an old Tech II Locomotion 2500 and they repaired it for free. I think it was out of warranty. They had a five year warranty. I don’t care for momentum or braking ,so I have two TECH II Railmaster 2400s. I sold the Locomotion 2500s which still work fine to this day. I think the updated models are the Tech 4 units. Sheerly for nostalgia’s sake, several years ago I purchased an MRC Golden 500 Throttlemaster. Back in the day, when I was growing up, it was THE powerpack. I saw it hidden in the back of a hobby shop, still in the box. I HAD to have it! I don’t see how you can go wrong with MRC.
I’ll chime in for MRC also. I have liked all of the MRC powerpacks I’ve had. I sent in an old Tech II Locomotion 2500 and they repaired it for free. I think it was out of warranty. They had a five year warranty. I don’t care for momentum or braking ,so I have two TECH II Railmaster 2400s. I sold the Locomotion 2500s which still work fine to this day. I think the updated models are the Tech 4 units. Sheerly for nostalgia’s sake, several years ago I purchased an MRC Golden 500 Throttlemaster. Back in the day, when I was growing up, it was THE powerpack. I saw it hidden in the back of a hobby shop, still in the box. I HAD to have it! I don’t see how you can go wrong with MRC.
dingoix,
I have to concur with the others: Go with an MRC power pack. Before I got into DCC, I ran my layout with one of those cheapy transformers that comes with the train sets. I decided to purchased a MRC Railpower 1370 power pack and - WHOA! - start up and slowing downs don’t have to be herky-jerky! (What a concept!) Seriously, it made a huge difference in the performance of my locomotives. I picked up one of mine 1370s (brand new) off of ebay for ~$20. The MRC Tech 4’s are supposed to be VERY nice.
Tom
I agree with MRC. I have used them for many years no problems.
Enjoy
Paul
so i shouldn’t get the atlas? also has anyone ever used an atlas 1700?
no[:)]
dingoix,
As far as power packs are concerned, MRC is the best on the market and the benchmark standard. Buy the best you can afford. Even the cheapest of the MRC pp’s is better than a majority of what’s out there.
Tom
MRC would probably be the best choice. I’ve never had experience with MRC power packs because I’ve got something that probably 99.9% of you haven’t heard of. It’s a power pack from the 1980s called a Micro-Pac, made be my uncle around 20 years ago at SRTech. It has a 2.2 amp power supply and some very nice features on it.[:D][:D][:D]
Ive seen one
In my head…
i saw the MRC railpower 1370 at hobbylinc.com for $30.39 is this a good p-p?
dingoix,
Yes! Although somewhat spartan, it’s a good, basic power pack. Again, check ebay because I found that particular one for ~$20.
Tom
yes thats all i need is a VERY basic p-p i don’t want momentem or automaticly increasing power as load increases.(such as climbing a hill)
Although it hurts your local hobby shop, check out ebay.
Then either the MRC Railpower 1300 or 1370 will serve you well. I belieive the only difference between the two is that the 1370 has slightly more power (vA).
i definitly want POWER my L-L p-p gets extermely hot when running an engine and 3 lighted cars.