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 Posted - December 21 2012 : 09:22:35 AM
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Here's the story that leads me to DC vs AC power question… I am resurrecting my childhood Tyco engines (circa late 60s / early 70s). Even after thorough cleaning and prepping, these engines run sluggish on Bachmann EZ track (from Thomas the Train set I bought for my son last Christmas). I have even had skilled mechanic at my day job inspect these older engines and bench test; all in good working order. This mechanic mentioned that sluggishness might be do to running AC engine with DC transformer. Anyone know if older (60s/70s) Tyco engines were run on AC power? Any info on differences between running AC vs DC power/engines would be big help to this newbie. Thanks!
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 10:24:04 AM
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DO NOT RUN YOUR TRAINS ON AC.
Tyco are not AC, they are DC. AC power will ruin them in no time flat. There is a thing called "pulse power" but I dont' know anything about them.
Is your track clean? Use a Bright Boy Track Cleaner by Walthers, or an old block eraser to wipe the surface of the track of the grime from running and the tarnish of not running.
I work at a train shop, and 8 people in 2 weeks have come in with that same problem as you. Give it a try, and at the very least the train will run much better.
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 12:36:12 PM
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Thank you for the warning. I have a block eraser/cleaner, so I'll give the track a good wipe tonight. And I'll be picking up that Bright Boy Track cleaner for future cleanings. I'll be sure to post the results. Thanks again for the info!
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 12:48:07 PM
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Definitely no AC, unless you like the smell of smoke. He might be thinking of Lionel trains, which are a whole other animal.
Sounds like you need more cleaning and maintenance. Try the track first, but then look at the locos some more. I can be hard to get them going if they haven't been used for a while. If fthat EZ track is the kind with the black base, it's steel and can be harder to maintain. If it's gray, it's nickel silver and should just need a quick rubbing. I have a bit of both for the kids to play with and I constantly have to clean the black pieces.
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 1:25:21 PM
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Yes, mechanic at my day job was thinking along lines of American Flyer trains that he has worked on. He thought older HOs "might" be similar. He wasn't sure, which is why I asked here. I have mix of Bachmann EZ black steel and gray nickel silver tracks. I'll get on a maintenance routine with track and engine wheels. Moving forward, I'll be sure to pick up the gray nickel silver tracks. Since this is for my son as well, I try to make sure everything is running as smooth as possible.
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 2:23:53 PM
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What power pack are you using?
If it is the Bachmann power pack from the Thomas the Train set it may not have enough amperage to run some of the older trains.
It may run Tyco locomotives with Power Torque motors but may not have the amperage the MU2 and older steam locomotives need.
Just a thought,
Ray
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Posted - December 21 2012 : 3:11:24 PM
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DC stands for direct current, which means the polarity stays a constant positive and negative at all times, like the output of a battery. AC is alternating current, and alternates back and forth from positive to negative 60 times per second (60 hertz or cycles, the U.S. standard), and is not friendly to permanent magnet motors like those found in all but a few very early HO scale trains. The motor won't turn, it will just hum and quickly overheat.
AC motors like those found in vintage larger scale toy trains like Flyer are actually known as universal motors. They have en electromagnetic field instead of permanent magnets, and can be run on AC or DC, but most DC powerpacks also don't produce enough current to run those large motors, which is likely what your friend is referring to.
The Tyco Depot
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Posted - December 22 2012 : 08:03:55 AM
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I am using the Bachmann power pack that came with the Thomas set. Thank you Ray for confirming my suspicion about the power from Bachmann pack not having enough juice to run older engines. I will dust off some of my older power packs and see if they work. Thanks NickelPlate for detailed info on AC vs DC power. And of course, thanks to everyone who's posted for all the help! Much appreciated!
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Posted - December 22 2012 : 12:05:37 PM
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| if you need a older power pack I got quite a few in my collection hehe
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Posted - December 06 2016 : 8:58:32 PM
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I am renewed to hobby trains and have just pulled out my tyco trains from way back when (Silver Streak) most of my vintage track is damaged and I don't have but a few of the track connectors, but I have my original Tyco DC transformer.
My Step-dad was kind enough to send my a Bachmann e-z track system but no new speed controller or power pack, so I attached my old tyco to the tracks and nothing, just a bunch of humming at the transformer.
So I am looking for some help/ideas/solution to get this working again.
Cheers
quote:DO NOT RUN YOUR TRAINS ON AC.
Tyco are not AC, they are DC. AC power will ruin them in no time flat. There is a thing called "pulse power" but I dont' know anything about them.
Is your track clean? Use a Bright Boy Track Cleaner by Walthers, or an old block eraser to wipe the surface of the track of the grime from running and the tarnish of not running.
I work at a train shop, and 8 people in 2 weeks have come in with that same problem as you. Give it a try, and at the very least the train will run much better.
Originally posted by Islanderh93Â -Â December 21 2012Â :Â 10:24:04 AM
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