DC power supplies

Well, DC is Ok but I left it behind when i chose DCC. However, if you want a new powre supply don't buy anyting with the TyCO name. Look at MRC as those good ones and also look for something that allos you to run pukse as well as standard DC since that wil allow to duplicatwe real train operations (such as long stops instead of instant ones).

Irv

DC Power

The MRC line of DC power packs are good.

If you have electrically isolated blocks of track and want to run two locomotives in separate blocks a dual cab MRC pack might be a good choice.

Most are going DCC these days.  Is there a reason why you would not consider DCC control?

Back before dcc, I had both types of MRC throttles.

I had a pair of single unit dc throttles, and then when I moved into this house, my neighbor across the street found out I was amodel railroader, and offerd me the equipment he had for an ho railroad that he built for his sons, but they were not interested.  It included the MRC dual throttle.  The biggest disadvantage of the dual throttle in one pack is if you are going to run trains with your children, the throttles are so close together that they would almost need to sit on yur lap to operate with you.  This is presuming that you aren't sitting on their lap!  For two person operation, you might want to get two separate throttles, so that you can put a bit of separation between them.  You might also check on ebay or at model railroad swap meets for a used throttle.  With the advent of dcc, and the way the prices have dropped in the past few years, a lot of people who were running dc have switched over and used dc throttles can be had very cheaply.   

Dear CW, Once the inevitable

Dear CW,

Once the inevitable 'go DCC' flood of replies subsides,
(I'd caution all respondees, best to respond to the question as asked,
CW asked for a dual-control throttle reccomendation that fits within his budget,
and works with his existing Presumably-analog-DC wiring/layout-control-system,
with which he's presumably happy and comfy,

NOT for over-budget upgrade-for-the-hell-of-it solutions which may require significant layout rewiring and loco-decoder-installations!!!) 

I'd reccomed you look at the MRC range of throttles.
http://www.modelrec.com/train-controls/dc-power-tech4.asp

If you're in the UK, GaugeMaster are nice and solid.
http://tinyurl.com/yapt8zm

If you're up for a touch of "build your own throttle" work, you could start HERE

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#1

(BTW, this site is a goldmine of "cookbook" circuits for all manner of layout tasks!)

Alternatively, send me a PM, and I can send you a PDF schematic for a very basic throttle
(around 7 components all up), that costs under AUD$25 to build, and will crawl just about anything
(tested with Life Like N scale SW1200s, thru HO Mantua 2-6-6-2 mallets and MDC shays, thru Athearn diesels, up to and including 2 kilogram all-brass Central Loco Works O scale 2-rail GP35s...)

Hope this helps...

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

PS before anyone gets grumpy, I own and use a NCE-Powercab/SB3 rig.
However, I very much believe in the ethos "Horses for Courses", and there are many layouts for which the "Givens and Druthurs" simply do not warrant the deployment of a DCC rig...
(whether the owner _wants_ to use DCC or not is a seperate,
totally valid,
but entirely seperate issue...)

Thanks for the quick replies.

Thanks for the quick replies. It sounds like MRC is a good choice. I would like to go DCC someday. But I don't really know how involved it would be except, like the prof said, it looks costly and time consuming to switch over. I will get there someday. But today I have my small DC setup. When I'm ready to expand, I figure that will be a good time to go DCC. Thanks for your help.

CW

With all due respect,

With all due respect, one responder, who after putting in their input, and than asking the OP if they were considering DCC a flood of "Go DCC replies" does not make.

I appreciate how we like to keep things on topic when possible, but I don't agree with admonishment prior to the fact.

Fortunately for us, MRH forums haven't gotten to the point (yet) where that's needed.

Dear Scarpia, Understood and

Dear Scarpia,

Understood and apologied for. Unfortunately the all-too-common/familiar trend of "dump the analog" with no regard to the needs of the layout or the layout owner is a "hot button" issue for mine.

But I agree and accept in this case I jumped the gun,

Again, My apologies to all...

Happy Modelling,
Aiming to Improve my impulse response,
Prof Klyzlr

+ +

Search Ebay for MRC Tech and find a slew of them, used or new.

My preference would be Tech 4 220 because they have momentum  and a brake button. Other similar would be the TECH II  1500 or 2500. They are all availlable on Ebay at this moment for under 30$.  

You do not seem to be set up for dual  transformers at the present time  so I would steer away from the dual knobed  transformers  because this  would require you re-wire your layout for dual cab control. This then  becomes more complicated for the children to operate,  

At less than 30$  building your own is not worth it when you add up the parts, case. 18V transforrmer and assorted other things required to build one.

Marc Fournier, Quebec

I've still got my Tech II 1500

 and I have no plans to get rid of it as it still can be useful to me for testing a DC loco before upgrading it to DCC.  I can try to get it running smooth in DC before going to DCC and ensure it doesn't exceed the stall current of the decoder.  I've had my Tech II for 16 years and it is vastly far superior to the tyco, bachmann or model power units I had prior.  For under $30 on ebay, go for it.

What I got

1st, thanks for the input everyone. What I ended up doing was getting a new MRC Tech 4 200 off ebay for about $37. I am very happy with it. Much better than my old pices of junk. I can actually throw two switches at a time and not stall out my locomotive..... I wish I could have gotten it from my local hobby shop, but they couldn't come close to this price. if it was a matter of a couple of buck I would've rather spent my money locally. but on the other hand my wife said I can go to the hobby shop and pick out something nice for my birthday.. woohoo..

CW

+ +

Buying direct from the LHS would have given you the 5 year warranty for the added $$$.  Nice but you wonder if it is worth it.  I've had my Tech 220 for  a few years and it is only used to testing DC locos before DCC decoder goes in. The other use is as  a turntable controler. The momentum comes in handy in this case.

Just be aware these packs can pump out some 17VA, enought to burn little hands if shorted.  It is not a toy and  kids under 8 should be monitored.

Marc Fournier, Quebec

seedoubleyou Welcome to MRH Forums

CW great log in doing the long hand version of CW.

I wanted you to know I have 8 of the MRC RailMaster 2400 Tech II transformers form my DC Cab control days and they were all bought between 1976 and 1980 and all still work like a charm. I can't use them for any on my present DCC operations except for turnout powering and lighting power for my towns but MRC does make some very good products and will last as long as you have your 4X8 running or should anyway.

Again Welcome to MRH and now is the time to start learning about DCC and what it is and how it works so in a few years when you deside to start a larger RR and handing over the 4X8 to the kids you will be up to the minute as to what you'll need and what is the best for what your New Pike will require.

Dan

Prof's throttle

The Aussie 'make you own' DC throttle that Prof Klyzlr is talking about is an excellent unit. I built one for a friend's home layout and he really liked the slow control it offered. The DC waveform starts out pulsed, then slowly changes over to a flat DC value as you increase the speed. Very nice.

If you don't want to 'roll your own', the Stapleton Vari-pulse is a nice tethered unit with 1.5A capacity and adjustable momentum.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/kstapleton3/851.HTM

Chris Abbott

MRC

If you are going to stay DC, then MRC is the way to go.  Last year I purchased a good quality (new) MRC power pack for my nephew, from Ebay for about 1/2 retail price.  I also gave my nephew a big box of AHM/TYCO trains and a box of Easy track.