Earlier on LSC, I asked if the Crest (Aristo) Switching Power Supply #55465, using the Aristo 10 amp rated controllers, would damage LGB, USA, and Bachmann loco motors from the “pulse width” power created by the controllers.
I e-mailed Aristo-Craft with my questions. Here are Aristo’s responses to those e-mailed questions . The responses were very prompt and clearly stated.
The factory’s response to my questions is from TATE - “The Aristo Train Engineer”:
Q: “Is the power leaving the Crest Switching Power supply pulse-width or is the pulse-width create solely from the Aristo #55401 controllers?”
A: “The power leaving the power supply is pure DC, no pulses, PWC is added by our controllers - either the tethered controller of the Train Engineer system.”
Q: “Can an LGB controller also be used with the Crest Switching Power supply…?”
A: “I believe that you could use the LGB controller with our power supply. I’ve not tried it, but I don’t see why it would be an issue. The LGB controller doesn’t add PWC, or any signal, to the power.”
Q: “Having both Aristo locos and some LGB pre-electronic moguls (10+ years old) is there a problem in any way using the Crest supply and the 55401 controller to operate those LGB locos?”
A: “It is hard to make a blanket statement about LGB electronics and PWC. My experience has been that the older sound systems don’t have a problem with PWC, but that anything produced in the last five years would/could be damaged by
PWC. Never, ever, run PWC with the old Lionel Large Scale products equipped with RailSounds. It will instantly ruin the sound unit.”
Q: "Many thanks for your helpful response. What I concluded was there is no harm done to the Buhler motors in the LGB moguls – the concern you offered was related to LGB’s sound systems. I have the LGB moguls without sound and they date early 1991-'92. Is the conclusion I am drawing from your e-mail that the Aristo controllers offer no harm to the motors of USA, LGB, Bachmann, therefore accurate?
A: “You are correct. Enjoy your trains.”