I want to run 3 trains at the same time. I have a Dual Tech II 2800 powerpack that must be at least 20 years old.
I was going to get a single powerpack until I saw the TECH 4 280 DUAL PWR WITH 16VA and said why not buy this to replace my old one. I am sure it is better. Then, I read an article on your website and it said do not buy a powerpack less than 18 VA which this dual is.
I have 2 sets of N-guage unitrack layouts. One is a double track, the other is a single unitrack. That is how I ended up with 3 trains.
I do not want to do any complicated wiring, so my husband said just buy another powerpack to run a single train and use your old one to run the double trains.
Should I do that? Is my old powerpack still good?
The write up on the Tech 4 says that the dual can run up to 4 trains. Do they mean I have to do wiring? If so, no way. I want things simple.
The write up on the single Tech 4 says it can run up to 7 trains.
It gets too confusing. I do not want to make this difficult.
I just want to be able to run 3 trains.
Until I can find out what to do for a powerpack, I will be attaching my single track to train 1 on my powerpack and I will be attaching my 2 double tracks to a 3 way extention which then will connect to my train 2 on my powerpack.
I understand that this will only allow the 2 trains on the double track to run at the same time and not separately.
I think there is some misunderstanding here. The page at the MRC website on that particular product says it has enough power to easily run 4 HO-scale locomotives… It will NOT allow you to run each of the four locomotives under independent control, if that’s what you wanted to do. (It will only allow you to run two trains independently provided that you have done the block wiring, just like your present power power pack).
You really should consider going DCC. The wiring for DCC is much simpler, and you can control many engines independently of each other, even if two of the locomotives are on the same loop.
DCC is the way to go if you can afford it. (I know, you can’t afford not to …).
As a temporary measure use one power pack per track and one train per track. (A dual control pack can run two tracks). 16VA should be adequate for any single engine.
Is your old pack still good? Try it. If it worked once and nothing has deteriorated it should still work today. Likely you will need to spray the control and switches with contact cleaner though.
Get the “Atlas Guide to Model Railroad Wiring” It is one of the best books on Block Control (DC Power Pacs) that I have ever read and am still referring to it for guidence. I will warn you that it shamelessly hawks the Atlas line of model train Block Control Products, But It gives a thorough explanation of how things work that you can replace them with various togle switches from the corner electronics store if you are so inclined. After taking your time to go through the Atlas Book in Detail, you should be able wire in all three of your throttles to provide independent control for three trains.
I’m using one of those to power my Lenz DCC system! I replaced the cord, but the old thing is still running fine. Of course, it sat in a box in various attics and basements for 40 of its 60 years. I use one of those old copper-colored power packs to supply DC juice for my LEDs and turntables, and AC for the turnouts. (The AC goes to a capacitive discharge circuit, so the turnouts are really on DC.)
By the way, I always turn my layout power off when I leave the room. It’s just a good practice.
I have an MRC 280 dual control power pack and I can tell you, it will run 4 locos on each throttle, but not for long. The circuit breaker will cut out. It will however run 3 locos on each throttle, provided you let it cool down after 30 - 40 minutes. I’ve done it and can run two trains with three locos each.
If I understand properly, you basically have three loops of track (one of which is a double loop). You want to run one train on each loop simultaniously. If so, yes your husband’s advice is sound. I have several MRC power packs that are… ummm… (40 years old?) well older than I can figure out. Only one has ever failed me and that was because I was misusing it (often).
I’m still running my MRC tech ii 1400 w/out issue. I bought it as my first “real” power pack in 1984 to get away from my old Tyco trainset pack (which is also still running, powering accessories and is from 1980).
I still use an old blue Tyco power pack to run my N scale trains. That thing is probably 25 years old, and still works great. I also have one of the Bachmann train-set packs that I use to power my army of Tortoise switch machines. So far, both are behaving themselves.
THE KEY to power paks is it’s VA Rating. Will it run “7” engines or “2”? - How well?
A. It depends on the engime. Most new products run on .25 amperes or 3 VA @ 12 volts with double (.5a) to start up. ALL electric motors pull highter current to start up.
SO if we have 3 engines @ .25a apiece = (3/4 amp with 1.5 amp starting). Now we add accessories - lights - sound - cars. Old engines might require double. Without an Amp meter, how would you know?
A smart guess would put 12VA - 24VA - again it depending on your engines. A 17 VA supply is close to middle. Worst case is 3 engines running at the same time might not run at full speed. In ‘N’ gauge that could be less than 120 miles an hour.
My advice is install a 3 amp meter and save your money. Amps are the actual power used and Volt’s are merely the intensity, or speed. Each engine you put on the track doubles, or triples the amps being used.
If adding an extra engine slows down the other two, then your power supply is lacking. (Once the VA maximum is reached, the voltage will drop.
NOW if you want to run 3 trains at the same time, you’ll need 3 power packs or DCC.
I also run N Scale, and have gone through your dillema.
If your old power supply is still working it should, you can have confidence that it will continue to for the forseeable future. If was doing the job without tripping the internal protection or you are not seeing speed changes on the opposite throttle when you perform speed changes, then you are most likely not abusing it.
The electrical technology that was common 20 to 30 years ago is still quite common. The advances in technology related to power supplies had been in the area of miniaturization and accuracy since then. 20 year old appliances are not uncommon.
The current offerings from MRC are just as good as if not better than what you currently have. The main differences are that the new stuff is less expensive to manufacture and have better voltage regulation.
I have a Tech 4 280 and it is a quality piece. I run a set of Intermountain FT’s in A/B/B/A and a set of Kato PA’s in an A/B/A hookup; on the throttles (for a total of 7 locomotives). It will run both sets at a ‘reasonable’ speed for hours on end. I also had a Tech 4 200 that worked very well. It now runs trains for a young man who loved trains but couldn’t afford a power supplt to run his Grandfathers HO stuff that he inheritted.
I switch between the 280 and DCC as needed. I run DCC when I want to run more than 2 trains. I run DC when I want to run non DCC equipped locos, and intend to run only 2 trains. This allows me to defer the cost of converting 23 locos, and spread the cost over time.