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 Posted - January 15 2018 : 7:11:36 PM
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Good evening,
I figured you guys would be the best at answering this question -- thanks!
-RP
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I noticed that my LifeLike 7amp blue power pack controlling the inner line is about to die soon....for it is spasmatically dropping power to the Pennsy Tyco F9A & F9B operating on the inner line. The locomotive slowly shuts down due to a loss of power, and then after a few seconds, it works again. (It's not the F9A, for I tested my Model Power RF-16, and it did the same thing to it.)
The LL powerpack lasted 2 years on my layout, plus however long the former owners used it....Actually, I already had to replace the former LifeLike blue powerpack controlling the outer lineabout a year ago, due to the fact that it melted down internally. :(
While I do have another LifeLike blue powerpack which I can use to replace the faulty pack controlling the inner line, I also have 3 Tyco "golden" powerpacks, all of which are 6 amp. So, I'd like to ask, are the Tyco "golden" powerpacks, made in Hong Kong, long lasting? Also, do 7amps really make a difference when compared to 6amps, of DC power?
(Photo credit to Google Images)
Thanks for considering. 
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/rpmodelrailroads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rp_model_railroads/
Edited by - RP model railroads on January 15 2018 7:20:36 PM
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Posted - January 15 2018 : 7:41:50 PM
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| what're you gonna do with the dying one?
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Posted - January 15 2018 : 8:11:55 PM
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I noticed that it says 6 VA, which I think is Volts x Amps (watts). At the 18v on the label, that's 1/3 amp.
Presumably, the lifelike is 7 VA. 7 amps would be huge for HO.
When working hard, some old open frame motors can draw up to 1/2 amp which would be closer to 9 VA. If you go to train shows, it might be a good idea to keep an eye open for something bigger and better than the small train set transformers.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - January 15 2018 : 9:29:09 PM
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Quite frankly, the small Tyco gold power supplies are pretty lame. I work at a model train shop, and see all kinds. I prefer the LL blue and brown plastic over the gold Tyco ( although ANYTHING MRC beats them all! ). I've seen and tested way too many gold Tyco packs, and many have throttle contact issues ( the wiper loses tension, and it quits working ). The much larger ( and harder to find ) Tyco dual throttle packs are much better , we use one in the shop for testing trains, and it does well. Been using it for 3 years now, no issues.
I'd either get an MRC pack, or a larger Tyco dual pack, if you can find one. The Tyco dual packs are very hard to find. The AHM yellow power packs are pretty decent, too, I use one for my personal train testing.
To summarize, for long-term use, the small gold Tyco packs are a last choice for me. MRC would be first, a Tyco Dual or an AHM small pack 2nd. Bachmann? Eh, their plastic packs are ok, about equivalent to the LL plastic ones. Longevity is an issue, but they'll work for a few years anyway. Other oddball packs I've got - Lionel HO DC power, they can be noisy ( loud hums or buzzes ), although the rare Lionel HO "Star Trek" dual power pack is VERY nice and desirable. Good luck finding one! Eldon of slot car notoriety also made a train pack, never used one though. I do believe I have an HO Gilbert DC power pack, but never used it. Rare to find one, frankly.
That's all the input ( and output  I've got on this thread for now .
Jerry , train repair tech.
" When life throws you bananas...it's easy to slip up"
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Posted - January 15 2018 : 9:43:17 PM
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| Get MRC, they're great!
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Posted - January 15 2018 : 11:36:09 PM
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Thank you so much for the quick assistance, guys!!! I truly appreciate it. :) I'll definitely keep an eye out for a Tyco dual-throttle powerpack, as well as other, more powerful powerpacks! 
In the mean time, though, I think I will give the old Tyco golden powerpack a shot just to see how long it lasts (or, I could try my spare Bachmann brown one...) If/when I install the Tyco golden powerpack, I'll be sure to notify you all through this thread, just to keep a track of how long it survives.
.....for the longterm, however, I will definitely investigate a more reliable powerpack, and will consider the recommendations you guys have given me.
Microbusss, I'll probably keep it...for sentiments sake!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/rpmodelrailroads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rp_model_railroads/
Edited by - RP model railroads on January 15 2018 11:37:34 PM
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 3:07:03 PM
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The Tyco dual pack as well as throttle are MRC's with Tyco name on them
I reccyle my power packs when they die
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 7:00:56 PM
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quote:The Tyco dual pack as well as throttle are MRC's with Tyco name on them
I reccyle my power packs when they die
Originally posted by thesiding - January 16 2018 : 3:07:03 PM
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same but I has a mess of them to get rid of too 
will keep at least 2 or 3 to run the accessories
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 7:31:40 PM
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I too am looking for a new power pack due to my engines not shutting down when the control was in the off position. Tinkered around with the unit, but couldn't see what the issue was nor how to fix it.
Looking at the MRC power packs, some have the momentum and brake buttons. These are for engines with a flywheel, right? If I understand correctly, older Tyco/Mantua, Gilbert and Lionel engines would not be able to take advantage of these two options.
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 8:30:40 PM
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quote:I too am looking for a new power pack due to my engines not shutting down when the control was in the off position. Tinkered around with the unit, but couldn't see what the issue was nor how to fix it.
Looking at the MRC power packs, some have the momentum and brake buttons. These are for engines with a flywheel, right? If I understand correctly, older Tyco/Mantua, Gilbert and Lionel engines would not be able to take advantage of these two options.
Originally posted by Brian4321Â -Â January 16 2018Â :Â 7:31:40 PM
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I has a older MRC Tech II & it works fine with Tycos
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 9:53:28 PM
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After completing my homework tonight, I amazingly had a bit of time to go down to the layout. So, I utilized that time to remove the faulty blue LL powerpack for the outer line -- I didn't remove the wooden piece on the side of the layout which conceals the wire from view, but instead, just cut the cord with wire snips (the power wasn't on of course.) Within 5 minutes, the old LL powerpack had been removed from the layout, leaving this view of the two wires powering the inner line:
I then pulled out one of my better looking golden Tyco powerpacks and cleaned it a bit (I had obtained all three by winning an Ebay estate auction last year, so each powerpack had a film of dust/dirt on it, causing all to look like they hadn't been used for decades.) Then, using the only wire left attached to the DC side of the Tyco golden powerpack, I split it in two, and then spliced it into the yellow wires from the inner line (since they were unfortunately too small to be screwed-onto the powerpack by themselves) Then, I plugged the cord into the strip, and boom, power!
Now, because the Ephrata Valley Railroad defies typical model railroad size by being what most would consider merely "train set" size, having a train set powerpack works fine for me. Interestingly enough, this Tyco golden powerpack says "Output = 9 V A", while the LL powerpack which it replaced said "Output = 7 V A." Ironically, the Tyco golden powerpack actually supplies MORE power than the LL powerpack did, to the Pennsy F9's operating on the inner line, for they are now running faster. I ran the Tyco golden powerpack on full blast for ten minutes straight, to the point where the powerpack became rather warm outside, and the Pennsy F9's hauled a 9-car freight train around the inner line without wavering!
Eventually, once the Tyco powerpack proves itself, I'll detach the "expansion" wires for a bit, and cut them shorter so that they aren't so unsightly....
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/rpmodelrailroads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rp_model_railroads/
Edited by - RP model railroads on January 16 2018 9:56:18 PM
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Posted - January 16 2018 : 10:27:52 PM
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quote:Looking at the MRC power packs, some have the momentum and brake buttons. These are for engines with a flywheel, right? If I understand correctly, older Tyco/Mantua, Gilbert and Lionel engines would not be able to take advantage of these two options.
Originally posted by Brian4321Â -Â January 16 2018Â :Â 7:31:40 PM
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Momentum should work with any engine. It tries to simulate the fact that trains can't start and stop quickly. If you quickly move the throttle, the train will only come up to speed, or down in speed very slowly. The brake button slows the train a bit more quickly than the momentum feature would. This really has nothing to do with flywheels.
Carpe Manana!
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Posted - January 17 2018 : 12:46:42 AM
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scsshaggy,
Thanks for the details about the 2 buttons on the MRC power packs.
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Posted - January 20 2018 : 5:58:46 PM
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That's pretty interesting. On my previous layout, I used a gold TYCO-pak to power my turnouts and some operating accessories, with the pack placed next to my Bachmann E-Z Command unit, as that doesn't have AC accessory output. I will probably go with the same setup for the control panel on my new layout.
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Posted - January 20 2018 : 8:01:49 PM
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oh I forgot to mention
I used one of them golden power packs to run my 1:1 crossing bell
I had to hook it up to the track contacts & run it on FULL to make the bell ring hehehe
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Posted - January 20 2018 : 9:52:02 PM
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Neat, Wiley! I have a Tyco golden powerpack just like yours, that said "Output 6 V.A." The one that I just installed on the outer line this Monday, which by the way is continuing to work with success, says "Output 9 V.A." And, it continues to supply more power to the Tyco Pennsy F9's than the blue LL did, towards the end of its life.....
And, interestingly, when on full blast, the F9's run super well, but can still operate (more prototypically) when the throttle is 3/4 all the way up.
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven." - Matthew 5:16
Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/rpmodelrailroads
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rp_model_railroads/
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