should i get a Tech 4 260? or is my Tech II 2400 still good to use? which one has more power?
The Tech 4-260 has 20 Volt Amps(VA) Enough power to run 4-6 trains.Look for the VA rating label on your 2400 series. I believe the 2400 can operate 4 trains per the MRC ad in Walthers 2000 catalog.
A Tech 4 260 is good for 6-8 trains. I use a Tech II 2500 on my layout and it runs great. The 260 goes for about $80.
The 2400 is a very good power pack, but it is your money…
You have to decide your own priorities, would you rather have a new power pack or a new Atlas locomotive or three new Kadee freight cars? (substitue your favoritve supplier and adjust quantites as required)
money isnt really an issue with me…i do well for myself, i just wanted to know your opinions thanks!
Power Paks rated at 20VA (volt/ampere combination) will put out 1.67 amps @ 12 volts (20 divided by 12) - assuming you are not using the accesories tap. “Enough power to run 4-6 trains”??
BEST CASE: 6 engines using .27 amps apiece (Atlas- Stewart) or 2 engines @.75amps (older Blue box Athearns) WORST case 1 engine (KMT- Old Blue box).
Ad writers always use the best figures possible - sort of like how many people can sleep in their manufacturers tent - and ‘Horsepower’ for automobiles.
SAFE GUESS: figure .5 amps per engine without pulling cars - and That’s running on a flat surface.
Wan’t to know for sure? Buy an Ammeter for $20. or a Power Pak with one built in. The separate one will probably be more accurate.
What most people don’t know is when the load go up, the voltage goes down.
Didn’t the Tech II put out 25 VA or 30 VA? It was a great supply.
Todays engines/ can motors/ etc, require less current (amps) than older products so 'today’s solid state power power use less. More impotant is short circuit sensitivity to prevent ‘blowing’ your transistors. Gone is the 2.5 amp slow-blow breaker.
The only drawback the tech 4 260 has is that you can’t plug in the MRC walk around throttle in that particular unit…but it is great when it comes to the momentum and the brake on it (not to mention it will power 7 train engines)…it really runs well at prototype speeds…if you are not into command control / DCC a company called Dallee makes a walk around throttle ($87.00 + $9.00 S&H) that can be connected to the AC side of any power pack including the MRC’s for walk around control…it will work well with the 260 model but you loose the brake and momentum feature that is on the power pack …Chuck[:D]
I don’t know but on the back of my 2500 it says 16 VA.
Guilford350
Then it is 16(VA)
divided by 12 (V)
equals 1.3 amps) @ 12 volts
OR 2.5 amps @6.4 volts.
As the amps being pulled goes up, the Voltage goes down. Nature of the beast.
I know the Tech 3 Power Command 9500 is rated 30 VA, and THAT is a beautiful power supply. Plenty of power, amp and voltage gauges, momentum, etc. I’ve seen units in excellent condition go for less than $50 on eBay.
I know the Tech 3 Power Command 9500 is rated 30 VA, and THAT is a beautiful power supply. Plenty of power, amp and voltage gauges, momentum, etc. I’ve seen units in excellent condition go for less than $50 on eBay.
The 2400 advertisied in Walthers specifies 1.45 amps. Using Don’s math idea but in reverse
comes out to 17 VAs versus 20 VAs for the 260. Hardly much difference. As previously stated, money
not being an issue so if upgrading, review those merits of the 9500 series. This pack has 30VAs(2.5 amps) plus built in Ammeter & Voltmeter . Thanks! “DougCook” and welcome aboard.
What do you mean that a Tech 4 260 can run 4-6 locos? Does that mean lashed up or it has the power to run them?
Yes, I would assume it means it has enough power to run that many locomotives at once, or in one lashup.
It means SOME Engines.
The old Blue Box Athearn’s pulled 1 amp apiece wheras the newest Atlas’ pull 0.2 amps - without cars, of course.
I have used the Tech two unit years ago. The throttle no longer shuts off the flow of current to the track.
I also use the Tech 4 260 and it is adequate for what I need to do with it, a DCC Zephyer control system is in the plans for 2005
Thanks for the clarification, Don!