I am looking for a good alternative system for powering and controlling a small room sized DC layout? (I am NOT interested in DCC for this layout). I am just wondering if there is a better alternative than the old standby "MRC" packs??
DC power packs Build your own. I did that some years ago. I also had modified them to pulse power using a 555 IC. I have never owned a commercial power pack. Look in DC throttles. http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#Throttles Rich
Their arn't as many players in the DC market anymore than there used to be. MRC is the only big mass producer I know of. Athearn, Kato, and Bachmann make their own packs but they don't have much power output. You could use them if your hunting for extremely cheap packs. There is a company out there that makes packs that put out "pure DC", I think they were called iron works or something like that? Somebody else might have the name. These packs are more expensive than MRC, however I have seen that they provide lots of features for DC operation and engines run REALLY smooth on these packs. These packs do not like common rail wiring if you choose to go down that path, they more than likely will self destruct. I would personally choose these packs to power a DC layout. As stated before, they are REALLY pricey. If you want walk around wireless. Check Aristo craft or Crest. They make a nice Wireless system that I have seen at several clubs. The speed control is done through buttons but you get used to it fairly quickly. I have not seen any big downside to these. They cut out the wiring for cab control, you can freely walk around the layout to switch/run trains, and they make having a bunch of people operating at once a breeze. Crest also makes some upper level packs as well for stationary operation. MRC also makes some higher level packs as well. Their high power line and the walk around command stations have more than enough power to operate anything and are really flexible. The tech 4's are nice packs too, but certain engines have been known to be finicky on the Tech 4's. hope that helps.
Below is one that is heavily modified. Standard speed and switching speed option. The switching speed option uses more of the control. Two little trimmers to adjust the start point for different locos so the loco starts to move with minimal control movement. Our club had four throttle option when we used block control. Rich
I am "electronically challenged"............. I'm lucky to get a layout wired neatly & correctly. "Building", while a great idea for those that can, ain't going to happen :tb-cool:
Power packs Ok, you included useful info this time. I have used MRC at other places. Don't know what you do not like about them. Do a Google search for model railroad power pack reviews. I have seen the power packs by Bachmann at model railroad shows quite a lot on DC controlled layouts. Rich
I like the "MRC" OK, that's not a problem...........I was looking for a "step up" so to speak..............like "pure DC" ( ??? )
Ah here we go! http://www.bridgewerks.com/index.html bridgewerks not ironworks. These guys always have commented on how their pure DC is great for models. I know the owner will give discounts from time to time.
Thank you!! for taking the time and trouble to look that up for me........that looks like the alternative I had in mind
Before I converted to DCC I used a throttle from GML Enterprises http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/. He makes handheld throttles with lots of options for momentum and braking. If you are interested in walkaround throttles, he offers a "memory" option that allows the throttle to be moved to another throttle jack without the train stopping. The throttle gave me great service for many years. George V.
Not particularly cheap - but very, VERY, good - needs a 16volt AC input, the Varipulse http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/Index.html
THANKS for the input guys...........keep it coming, the more options, the better. "Bridgewerks".......GREAT, but a bit pricey for an old disabled vet on a pension(lol).
Look on ebay for mrc 2400 transformer,has switch to shut off pulse power.Then its pure dc.Its a older model.
Just bought Ken Stapleton's Varipulse throttle: really nice performance, good value. Much better control than my 6 year old MRC power pack.
a little late to this thread... i bought a Varipulse in 2002 and used it for several years with my HO scale shelf switching layout (no need for DCC since it's just one loco). it worked very well and will be used again when i build another P:87 shelf layout in the near future. i run it off the AC outs of an MRC 1300 (good and cheap).
A quick note about pure and pulsed DC. Pure DC is great, but it works best with newer and/or very small motors (that can't handle the heat generated by big square pulses). If you've got finely lubricated locomotives with can motors, then by all means, bring on the filtered "pure" DC. Pulsed DC, on the other hand, uses little pulses of "full-throttle" voltage (a fraction of a second) to "wake up" motors and keep them going, even at very low speeds. This gives you some great crawling action from locomotives that would usually take a much higher voltage to get started (and usually with a lurch).
