Amp meter

Please share as much info as possible on what you have.  Transformer and its voltage setting if other than a brick?   TMCC, DCS, some other command system?   If you remove all engines and add them 1 at a time, how do the Amps change from 0 to 5 engines?  Is smoke ON for any/all engines?  Any lighted passenger cars? Etc.

In the absence of further info, 8 Amps does seem a bit high for 5 engines at idle...but then again is it your intent to RUN 5 command engines without using block sections or multiple transformers?

8 amps does sound high for 5 CC engines at idle and with no switches hooked up to track power. Not sure how you have your ammeter connected, but I believe IMHO the ammeter should be hooked up as a bridge between the track output terminals of your transformer to get an accurate reading as to how much current is being drawn by the track, engines, cars, etc.  You should get a static reading with everything at idle and the amp draw should increase once you start moving the train(s).

That's not uncommon. Using a 180 brick with 8 engines on a siding would trip the breaker on my layout at startup. 

Rod Miller

Just to clarify - when I said a "bridge" I meant that you would disconnect the wire from one of the transformer track output terminals and connect one of the ammeter leads to that disconnected terminal and the other ammeter lead to the disconnected wire.  That makes the "bridge" you need - not actually between the two transformer terminals.

Rod - I assume you mean all 8 engines firing up at one time. I got the impression that the original OP was saying he was drawing 8 amps after start-up with 5 engines just sitting and idling on track and nothing else drawing power. I'd have to re-check, but my recollection is that my Legacy engines draw substantially less than 1.0 A at idle and that's with 8 CC switches connected to track power.  

I have not seen more that 2.5 -3 amps drawn with 2 modern loco running while several others sat at idle.  All Atlas motive power, TMCC, MRC 270 watt transformer

My Legacy Y6B with two smoke units (main and whistle smoke) sitting quiet only draws about .1A, when I am sitting idle with sound and smoke on, it's around .8 amps.  The sound really bumps up the power, the whistle adds about half an amp when I blow it, that's obviously the whistle smoke kicking in.  Just running down the track as slow speed with a few ore cars and a caboose it's drawing about 1.2-1.3 amps with smoke and sound on.  Sitting idle, I'm having a hard time with anything drawing a couple of amps, except maybe the Vision Line Big Boy with all the smoke turned on.

Yes Richie. All 8 firing up at the same time.

Rod Miller

"Just to clarify - when I said a "bridge" I meant that you would disconnect the wire from one of the transformer track output terminals and connect one of the ammeter leads to that disconnected terminal and the other ammeter lead to the disconnected wire.  That makes the "bridge" you need - not actually between the two transformer terminals."

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Just to clarify: There are two perfectly good electrical terms that will hopefully remove the confusion of the above "clarification."

Parallel - the device is connected across the two wires. Example, voltmeter. Or a lamp or accessory.

Series - the device is connected in line with one of the two wires. One wire is interrupted and the device is inserted in the line. Example, ammeter.  Or an on-off switch or fuse.

Bridge(d) - not generally used in this context, but if used, is understood to mean "in parallel." So, it would be electrically incorrect to install an ammeter "bridged" across a supply. 

With 3 engines, just a few cars with lights, all with smoke ON and sitting idle, I see less than an amp.

Dennis

Pete? Pete?...come in...over...