Been thinking about adding a Rapido Trains GMD1 to the roster. Just happened to be on the MRC website and saw the caution that the Railpower 1300/1370 do not work with Rapido. Of course that is the power pack I have. Anyone have any details or experience with this? Certainly do not need a shelf queen.
Apparently many have face similar problems. More than you ever want to know: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44120.0 The science behind it: https://www.therailwire.net/forum/index.php?topic=44170.0 Make sure you have coffee and lots to eat because there is a LOT of reading.
There probably is something to this since I had a new Kato power pack that turned out to be incompatible with my Bachmann dual mode decoder equipped 44 and 70 tonners but nothing else. Switched to my Tech 7 power pack and no issues. So there seems to be some incompatibility issues between some decoders and some power packs. And not just Rapido and MRC.
Looking at the Rapido website, the way I read it is that their N scale GMD1 models come in two versions, "DC/Silent", and "DC/DCC?Sound". If I am reading that correctly, then the "DC/Silent" version would have the motor wired directly to the rails, with no electronics involved. I would think that version would be compatible with pretty much any DC "power pack". The issue with the MRC 1300s was related to the decoders used in the Rapido locos. But, I suggest that you talk to Rapido directly before believing what I expect to be the case.
Straight from the Rapido site... Important DC Advisory Do NOT use MRC 1300-series DC controllers with any of Rapido's locomotives. The RailPower 1300 is notorious for voltage spikes and it WILL destroy your locomotive. There is no “if” about it. We will try to help you if we have the parts, but we are not responsible for locomotive damage due to voltage spikes in your power supply. As well, we will not repair any locomotive damaged by an MRC 1300-series controller (or any other "train set" DC controller) unless you have retired the controller. Otherwise the damage will soon reoccur. “Train set” DC controllers should not be used with any modern model locomotives.
It's hard to imagine how a DC power pack is going to ruin a DC locomotive motor unless you are somehow drawing twice the normal current, in which case, any power pack would "ruin" the locomotive. Doug
Read the article then you will decide Yourself not to use a 1370. You’d frankly be better off with a $1 crayon box, $3 ebay china motor controller, and $8 12v dC 1-2 amp router power supply, lol. not saying I made my own that way... but I did.
That is the way I'm understanding the issue as well. It seems the PWM spikes in the MRC 1300 are damaging the ESU Lok Sound boards that Rapido Trains uses in their DCC + Sound Equipped locomotives. Also of note, Rapido Trains is not saying all MRC power packs are at fault and they actually recommend the MRC Tech III 9500 transformer. All they are saying because they've had multiple returns, the common denominator was the MRC 1300 transformer.
