I have seen DC transformers sold as "N scale" transformers. Are there special transformers just for N scale? Or will a normal model railroad 12VDC transformer work for N scale? Is there a difference, will an "N scale" transformer work better than a universal transformer? OBTW, I am still waiting for remote controlled battery powered locomotives in N scale, the heck will cleaning track, and cleaning turnouts points...... Thanks, Hans
Are we talking about a DC throttle, or just a 12VDC power supply? N-scale throttle yes, power supply no.
Some power supplies may not put out as much current as needed for larger scales so might be labeled for N Scale. However, they may also limit the number of N scale locomotives that you can run. The important thing is the amount of current they can supply at 12 volts. A good universal power supply is your best bet.
Today as far as I know MRC doesn't make a train control for just N-scale. If your looking at a older unit with a rheostat then yes they made one for N-scale, better control.
I guess it all depends on your particular needs as to what you get and the power you need. I recently built a new test track that has three separate tracks on a 3 by 6 foot door. The old Bmann power pack that had been used for testing was giving out so I replaced it with a new MRC Railpower 1300. It is more than adequate to power all three tracks simultaneously with up to 6 locomotives running on the three tracks at one time. It is powering approximately 51 feet of track and the locomotives are all pulling weight thus under load while being tested. If you will be running more than about 5 locos at a time under fairly heavy loads and grade then I would suggest a little more powerful unit. MRC has a reasonably good selection of power packs for most layouts when rung just a DC layout. Running DCC is another ball of wax and I will leave that to the electrical guru wizards of DCC that hang out here. My knowledge of DCC is you plug it into the wall socket and that's it.
Some older stuff is rated for N because "HO" packs have higher starting voltage,so,lousy low speed control.Something for N and HO might be more expensive,too,since HO needs more amps..
I have an MRC 200. Is this good for N scale? Or should I add some electric devices in order to get the low speed control? Thanks, Hans
I'm still running a 1970-or-so MRC Golden Dual Loco Pack from HO as the primary power source. I have it configured so that it either throws power into the various hand-held transistor throttles, or can DPDT it into 'direct drive' for pure DC. The only difference you need to make is to add more resistance for more speed control, and you can do that three different ways: 1) Fixed wattage resistor across the track terminals 2) Fixed low-resistance resistor in series 3) a SECOND MRC rheostat in series as an adjustable 'trim' resistor - that works great and puts the control range of the rheostat pretty much where you want it on a custom basis locomotive-by-locomotive. I have various toggles and DPDT's so that I can set input voltage to the hand-held throttles and rheostats pretty much all over the board. The only thing you have to be careful of is where you mount those resistors, they can get surprisingly hot.
When you talk about a resistor in series, do you mean just placing a resisistor in series between the transformer wires and the track? What ohm resistor would you recommend? I am always looking for ways to slow down my engines.
