just got my frist new a-c rs-3 i am new to g gage so all this is new to me, in the orp. manual it says you need a a-c art 5400 or 5450 power pack to run any a-c engine and make it work right . should i get a art 5400 of e bay or will a new 10 amp. a-c crest cre55401 have the a-c pulse width control in it to make my rs-3 run right . its $ 99.00 on e bay allso what happens when you use a a-c power pack to run a non a-c loco like bochmann or usa loco ???
Bob, There are many good power supplies available on the market besides Aristo-Craft. Bridge Works makes excellent equipment as well as MRC, Bachmann and others. All will work with any G-guage DC-powered locomotive. For the money, the A/C Crest units are fine. Might do well to purchase whatever you choose from a reputable dealer as your first investment in the invent it needs to be returned. Look for something with a minimum 10 amp capacity. A little larger might even be better if you plan to develop a large G scale layout outside. For a smaller inside layout, a 10 amp supply would be fine as a starter.
Before spending the money on a power supply, with all the problems that brings, consider battery power.
Did I say that out loud?
Seriously, give it some thought.
The loco motors don’t care, but the sound card often does. The Aristo sound needs the pwc to work right. However, some non Aristo sound units go totally screwy on pwc.
So the question is, do you want to run sound with your trains? If so, do you want the Aristo factory stuff or aftermarket?
I run LGB and Bachmann stuff on Aristo power packs all the time. But I don’t bother with any sound, unless you count Glenn Miller… no problems in 10 years. The 5400 is nice that it has built in 'momentum (gradual starts and stops) in an inexpesive package. It will run 2 motor locos, or two locos with single motors just fine. If you want to doublehead diesels (4 motors), I’m thinking you’d need a bigger one
Also, not all power supplies come with controllers. The 10amp Crest power supply may not come with a controller.
Ralph
I have the Crest 10 amp – no problems over 5 years. I bought the controllers – claimed to be a 10 amp versionss-- as the layout is divided into four sections to accomodate grades. Each controller is then pre-set for the track gradient. The locos all run on their own. NOTE: Be sure to have a 4 amp fuse in each line to the track. Sacrifice a fuse instead of the controller.
Wendell
Steve Featherkile said:
Before spending the money on a power supply, with all the problems that brings, consider battery power. Did I say that out loud? Seriously, give it some thought.
Please… Once you go Track, You never go Back…
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http://freightsheds.largescalecentral.com/users/nicholas_savatgy/_forumfiles/Riding Deer.gif
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZT,Did i just say that ???
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Yes,Yes i did HE HE HE …
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Ho Ho Ho…Plug in your power pack and roll… God I Luv this hobby… Nicky
Ahhhh, the track power mafia raises its’ head… :lol:
Steve Featherkile said:I say, assault on battery, old boy. Definitely not cricket.
Ahhhh, the track power mafia raises its' head.... :lol:
Steve Featherkile said::)
Ahhhh, the track power mafia raises its' head.... :lol: