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Power Packs and speed controller

378 Views 10 Replies 4 Participants Last post by  VictorP, 
V
Hello,
I hope someone can help me with a question I have. Can I run 3 DC trains of 1 power pack and speed controller?
I have a indoor layout and I want to try to save room on my layout.

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Greg Elmassian
The answer is yes....

How you do it, though, can be done several ways.

You can configure your layout to 3 independent loops.

You will most likely want to insulate some sections of track to be able to park a train.

Unfortunately with 3 trains running, you cannot park anywhere without obstructing a 4th train.

Greg
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piercedan1000
One drawback to 1 power pack running multiple trains is a short circuit causing the power supply to shutdown will make all trains stop (Bridgewerks does have a dual potput unit but I do not know how it handles a shutdown of one control. Individual power packs for each train will only have one train stop from a short. Easy to do for DC operations, not cost effective for DCC users except for the latest Zimo. Zimo has 2 separate track outputs monitored by the MX10 with separate current sensing thus no power supply shutdown unless both outputs are tied together for 20 amps to the track.
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V
Hello,
Thank You for your help I have one more question to ask. The trains I have are Bachmann and I the controller that come with the trains. The trains run real slow and I would like to get new power pack and controllers for them what would you recommend?
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Greg Elmassian
With 3 trains at a time, I would go with a 10 amp unit, but they are not cheap.

I got an MRC power G which is actually rated 10 amps, but they are hard to find and expensive.

Also there is the USA Trains unit, but they are not super reliable, but often can be found on the used market.

Bridgewerks make very nice units, but they are also the most expensive.

If price was no object, the Bridgewerks would be the way to go, and you can get single and multiple throttle versions.

Greg
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V
Hey Greg,
Thak you again for your help I will look into them.
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V
VictorP said:
Hey Greg,
Thak you again for your help I will look into them. I will let you know when I finish the layout.
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piercedan1000
Many large scale starter sets came with supplies that very low power ratings. 6va playmobil, 7va LGB, etc. Later LGB had 1 amp supplies and can run single motor with lights and smoke. I suggest when getting the first additional supply that 10 amps is a minimum for DC or DCC operation. Like Greg, my DCC is 20 amp but my 20 year old regulated 24 volt DC is 8 amp which is also the rating of the old Aristo remote system in Linear mode.
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M
Greg Elmassian said:
With 3 trains at a time, I would go with a 10 amp unit, but they are not cheap.

I got an MRC power G which is actually rated 10 amps, but they are hard to find and expensive.

Also there is the USA Trains unit, but they are not super reliable, but often can be found on the used market.

Bridgewerks make very nice units, but they are also the most expensive.

If price was no object, the Bridgewerks would be the way to go, and you can get single and multiple throttle versions.

Greg
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On Bridgewerks units, each controller section has it's own overload protection circuit so if you have a 2 track controller, and there is a short on one track, it will only cut the power to that one track. For 3 Tracks, the Bridgewerks solution would be a 200-R 2 track controller, and a Mag-Mate which takes power from the 200-R and provides control to a third track, there would be 15A total to split between the 3 tracks. The overload trips if the current exceeds 20% over the rated current, for 1 second.

Mark (Bridgewerks)
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piercedan1000
Looking at the track layout I would try to eliminate the S curves. Make al the loops go straight thru and have the 'S' for going between loops where you can go slow to eliminate S curve derailments.
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V
"piercedan1000,
The layout is a u shaped boards to fit the room it is in there is a Bridge that I build to make the train go from 1 section to the other. That is why I have the switches in there.
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