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 Posted - January 02 2014 : 1:57:18 PM
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Picked up a Lionel HO but it hardly runs on my HO track w/ my Tyco power pack. I was told I would need to move up to a 12VDC output? My question is if I need more power to run this Lionel engine would more power hurt these Tyco engines?
Also, what kind of product is MRC? Are they still in business? What the history of them because I never heard of them?
Thanks,
Engines: TYCO HO
Rio Grande Diesel F9A
New Haven Diesel F9A
Burlington Diesel F9A
LIONEL HO
Lionel Rock Island 140 FA1 Diesel
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Posted - January 02 2014 : 2:50:22 PM
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All the power packs are nominally 12 volts, though they're probably closer to 15 or 18. All major brands of model trains are designed to use that voltage.
The transformer that's rated for 6VA is probably also 12 volts. 6VA means that Volts times Amps = 6, so that's probably 1/2 amp at 12 volts. A big old open frame motor, such as would have been in Lionel HO, would probably draw fully 1/2 amp and maybe more under load.
A bigger power pack would provide the larger amperage capacity your Lionel needs without harming the Tyco equipment. Any electric motor will just use the amperage it needs, no matter how much is available.
As for MRC, they're a big reputable player in the power pack market. They have power packs rated higher than 6VA. I have one that probably routinely supplies a full amp at 12 volts. Older MRC packs have a rheostat throttle. Newer ones tend to be transistor controlled. I imagine that you can only get the old ones at swap meets.
Transistor controlled packs put out a particular voltage at a given throttle setting, no matter what size motor you have in the locomotive, so they're handy in today's world where you could have locomotives that make the lights dip citywide when you start them and locomotives that seem to draw less power than an LED flashlight.
Rheostat throttles split the resistance, and therefore the voltage, of the circuit between the rheostat and motor. They provide decent control of the old high-amperage motors and poor control of low-amperage motors. On the plus side, they're very tough. I've overloaded, and eventually burned out transistor throttles on two or three occasions, but never a rheostat throttle.
On my layout, which has a VERY steep ruling grade, I use a rheostat on the mainline and a transistor throttle in the switching yard where little power is needed.
To run low-amperage motors on the rheostat, I have an automotive taillight bulb wired in parallel to the tracks so the voltage is split between the rheostat and the light bulb and the motor inherits its voltage from the light bulb. There's a switch on the light so I don't have to use it along with high-amperage motors.
Whew! Short question, interminable answer. 
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - January 02 2014 : 8:47:28 PM
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To add to Haggy's commentary, MRC ( Model Rectifier Corporation ) has been around a long time, and have a time-tested product. Even their older power packs are still in use today ( I have a couple I use, as well as a more modern Tech II controller ). The Tyco pack is very power limited, and should only be used in emergencies when no other power supply is available.   They're awful when they age, and they can get real hot. The throttle can get flakey, as can the on-off switch. Some of the newer plastic-enclosed packs by Life-Like are acceptable ( I use a couple of those, too ).
What type of HO lionel is it? Modern, or 60's-70s? Some of the more "modern" had a Bachmann pancake motor, and are power suckers, too, and don't operate well, they have a split frame if steam engine. I just fixed one last year, had some electrical contact issues, but got it running again.
Most HO power is around 14 volts, can be as high as 18, but it's usually more than 12 volts at max. Unless the engine is drawing too much current. At any rate, an upgrade in your power supply is in order, just about anything is better than those old gold Tyco power supplies. A replacement should be easy to find on Ebay, and for cheap sometimes.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 02 2014 : 10:55:44 PM
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1963 LIONEL HO "SANTA FE" GP-9
4 wheel drive with the original Spring drive motor. It hardly runs on my trach with the Lionel power pack.
Engines: TYCO HO
Rio Grande Diesel F9A
New Haven Diesel F9A
Burlington Diesel F9A
LIONEL HO
Lionel Rock Island 140 FA1 Diesel
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Posts: 79 ~
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Posted - January 02 2014 : 11:42:00 PM
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quote:1963 LIONEL HO "SANTA FE" GP-9
4 wheel drive with the original Spring drive motor. It hardly runs on my trach with the Lionel power pack.
Originally posted by RioGrandeF9AÂ -Â January 02 2014Â :Â 10:55:44 PM
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Well, there is also the question, due to it's age - is the drive train binding anywhere? Is it strictly a DC power problem, or is it a mechanical issue that's preventing it from going faster? No lube in the motor bearings, gears and axles dry and tight, could be any of those that cause it to not move fast. So before blaming the Tyco power supply, I'd suggest taking it apart, and seeing if the motor needs basic maintenance. If you can disconnect the driveline from the motor, and see if it'll turn over faster, might indicate it needs lube, not just more voltage. Many an older motor will not move fast due to lack on oil on bushings/bearings, wheels and axles binding up, dried up grease inside the casing that is causing issues, or the copper plates need cleaning/polishing, and brushes are worn/dirty. Since it IS that old, I would suspect it needs at least some basic maintenance before really deciding it's a faulty power pack.
Jerry
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 02 2014 : 11:44:36 PM
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Jerry,
It was all serviced.
Engines: TYCO HO
Rio Grande Diesel F9A
New Haven Diesel F9A
Burlington Diesel F9A
LIONEL HO
Lionel Rock Island 140 FA1 Diesel
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Posts: 79 ~
Member Since: November 20 2013 ~
Last Visit: November 02 2019
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