Cleaning out my garage I discovered a box full of old model train transformers from the 70s and 80s. One of the MRC powerpacks with the copper cladding and Tech II powerpack, and a bunch of the trainset type. Do they have any practical use in the 21st century or are they best recycled? TIA.
I use older style transformers to power the lights and switch machines on my layout. If you have a way to test them and they work, then perhaps list them on eBay and maybe make a few bucks if you do not need them. If they don’t work, recycling is the way to go.
Hello All,
In this day and age of DCC you might be surprised how many folks run DC. You might consider donating them to a youth model railroading group in your area.
You could sell them on an auction site. They typically go for about $5.00-$10.00.
As has been mentioned you can use them on your layout for DC powered accessories and lighting.
Having a variable DC power source would enable you to animate things like rotating signs, conveyor belts, oil pumps, swings and even a teeter-totter.
Or…you could dismantle them and use the various components for freight or scrap loads.
Hope this helps.
As long as the AC line cords are in good shape, you can use these to power accessories. Even if you run DCC, it’s a good idea to keep one DC power pack top test equipment before adding a decoder - keep one of the Tech 2’s, or the newest one - I bought a box o’ mostly junk but low and behold there was a brand new Tech 4 in there. The older Golden Throttlepack type with a rheostat will have problemc controlling locos, depending on if it is the N scale or HO scale version - the HO scale version will have basically no control over an N scale loco or a modern better low current HO loco. The AC and fixed DC outputs can still be used though.
If any of them have bad line cords, with nicks in the insulation or any sorts of cuts - lop off the cord flat against the case and toss them. Normally stuff of that era holds up unless someone abused it - older stuff like Lionel and Flyer from the 30’s and 40’s, the insulation on the AC cord tends to just disintigrate - very dangerous.
–Randy
I have an American Flyer transform, circa 1950s, that still does this!
one powerpack is powering my dcc signals and turnouts… yeppers, an old MRC controller with sound (DC) I use for testing. gotta have them still.
I’m using an American Flyer transformer circa 1960 to power my DCC system. It’s got plenty of power for my 3 amp booster.
I have one on my workbench purely for testing purposes. I tend to buy my locomotives in DC form so the power pack obviously comes in handy to test their basic operating performance before conversion to DCC. I also use it to determine the best resistor for LEDs where I don’t want full brightness. It is also used to test things like Tortoise machines and solenoid switches, IR detector circuits etc. etc. etc. basically anything I need power for.
I also have a dedicated power supply which supplies voltage in 1.5v increments from 0 to 9 volts. I use it mostly for determining polarity on LEDs but for most purposes the two are interchangeable.
Dave
This may be picky to some but they are really rectifiers not transformers otherwise they would only produce ac power.
I bought cheapy train set type power pack at a show for $3 just to power turnouts - I use the DC side for the slow motion switchmaster and AC side for the twin coil machines. You can also use them for building lights or other accessories.
If you get rid of those old power packs, some day you may find yourself buying some used at a train show. Just sayin…
A rectifier, like a transformer, is just another component of a powerpack.
When I took electronics back in college, we learned that:
Rectifiers are the component(s) which change alternating current into direct current (half wave or full wave).
Transformers change voltage e.g. 110 to 24 volts.
It is true that many people often refer to power packs as transformers - I did when I was a kid too.
Thanks, Randy. Inspect any old electrical equipment carefully before putting it into service.
So I say, but of course I’ve got a Lionel transformer from the Truman administration powering odd voltage requirements.
Silly LION. Him burned up a transformer (not a power pack, mind you) for lack of a fuse. So him took the transformer (not a power pack, mind you) to the power house where Br. John found me an old thing with lots of wires hanging out of it. We chose to use the 208 volt pair on 110 volts yielding 13.2 volts, close enough for the needs of a LION.
Never mind the fact, that it just occured to me (while reading this post) that I indeed have a bunch of disued powerpacks in the train room, any one of which I might have applied to this service. Well, ok the service is working now, but what if I use one of these power packs to replace the 12v supply to the 750 volt third rail. Well it was a good idea, but these are not regulated supplies so maybe they will not work.
Of course my “best” old power pack is on the bench to enervate my test rail and other points on my test environment. You know, testing LEDs and such.
Oh well, as it happens I also have a 12 volt regulated supply that I can use in place of the Wall wart that enervates the “750 volt” enfironment.
KEEP the power packs, they aint worth putting on eBay and you will always need another one for some purpose or other. After all the one I got from Br. John had to be 50 years old or more. Least wise it looked like it. Br. John never throws anything away, but has shelf upon shelf of stuff that might work for something.
ROAR
I got one old power pack powering my structure lighting circuit, and two more powering my Tortoise bus. That’s three. I have a cardboard box in the shop full of old wall warts, just in case I need another power pack for something. I’d expect you to find uses for your old power packs sooner or later.
You can also use them to power up lower voltages. Adjust the throttle then remove the knob or glue a plastic stop to prevent the voltage lid from being exceeded.
Old cords can be replaced. I usually buy light gauge extension cords to be used to replace old frayed ones.
I use my old Scintilla Unipack Senior (how appropriate![:P]) for the test track in my workshop, and also lug it out to the paint shop when painting steam locomotives - excellent for keeping the drivers and rods moving while applying paint to the running gear.
Wayne
I see these power pack oldies every time I go to the local quarterly swap meet and am always tempted to get one for auxiliary power use.
To help us, could someone give a few general guidelines when considering such a purchase, such as are the old “golden” MRCs (if suitably clean-looking) still useful, or should one stick with Tech 2 and newer units?
Cedarwoodron
I’m using an old DC unit to power my turntable. I my try converting this to DCC with a decoder at some point.
I use the AC terminals (with a capacitive discharge Unit) to power my twin coil turnouts. It’s an old MR power pack.