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Alan:
--- Quote from: KWilhelm on April 23, 2018, 05:30:57 PM ---The only question I have is I started my layout with DC. Do I have to buy a power pack from railpro? Or can I run the real pro on my existing DC system?
--- End quote ---
What make and model power pack do you have?
nodcc4me:
Welcome Keith. :)
Yes, you can run RailPro on straight DC. Your track will have to be cleaned more often than it would with RP. For about $90, the PWR56 is probably worth it just to save you the time of cleaning your wheels and track.
KWilhelm:
MRC Maximum Railroad Control HO Train Transformer model 500 Is the controller I am using.
The only reason I ask is I want my 12 year old son to be able to run trains on DC while I run Railpro. I can slowly introduce him to rail pro as we go.
Thanks for your help
Alan:
That unit is near and dear to my heart. I had two of them on a layout when I was a kid. That was a long time ago.
I would recommend you do not use it with RailPro or with any model railroad equipment that contains solid state electronics. The old 500 and 501 power packs were basic transformers and rheostat with no filtering whatsoever. While RP modules may work on it don't be surprised if strange gremlins occur from time to time or even module failure happens. The RP modules are meant to work on filtered DC. Your MRC power pack is anything but filtered. If you have an oscilloscope and look at the output waveform you would see that is a very wavy DC.
Best you get a RP power supply or if you are on a budget use an old laptop power brick. You need something between 13-15 volt output. Bricks can readily be had for less than $10. https://www.ebay.com/itm/15V-DC-Power-Supply-4-3A-60W-with-1-AC-Power-Cord-UL-Listed-Efficiency-Level-IV/282774353078?hash=item41d6aa34b6:g:tAgAAOSwTQtaNEuf
You cannot run DC trains and RailPro trains on the same track at the same time. The varying voltage used to control the DC train will cause the RailPro train to quit working or at best work erratically. It has to be one or the other.
KWilhelm:
Thanks.. this is why this forum is so great. Maybe I can set up a switch to let my boy run and then I can run railpro at a different time and teach him. This was a great help.
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