How much draw an engine

As low as .8 Amps and as high as about 4 per engine, some engines may be even more with a heavy load and the smoke on.

With 10 cars on a level, my Legacy SD80 with smoke draws 2.5 amps.  I suspect with more cars that would go up.

Look Out !!   My TMCC Phantom with it's 4 car consist will pop a 10 amp breaker after 2 laps around the track. I can pull that consist all day with any other engine, no problem.

Conversely, My PS-2 Imperial RK Big Boy with smoke on and pulling a 58 car consist (the entire loop full) including several lighted cars does not pop said breaker.

 

I saw a chart on here once, If I recall properly the average engine was about 2.5 amps alone but they vary widely.

 

I'd run 10 amps per block and be done with it.

I should take my Phantom out and see how it fares.  I have the original set with the four cars.  I haven't gotten around to putting LED's in those, but that's somewhere in the mix...

Russell, I can't help but wonder if you have some sort of binding issue or other anomaly in that engine?

Another name for it would be a "pullmor" motor, antiquated, noisey, sluggish, pull a ton of juice, and slow down at the slightest bend in the track. Having said that some guys love their "old fashioned" way to power a train.............not me.

Hard to believe that the Pulmore motor accounts for that kind of current draw.  I've run a dual-Pulmore SD-40 with TMCC and a load of freight cars, and it pulls about 4.5 amps max.

Russell,

 

Better check to see if something (or someone) is siphoning off power to run some other secret equipment in that engine.

 

 

Jim

There are so many variables such as, 1) Condition of pickup rollers 2) Condition of track and track connections 3) Condition of wiring used on the layout 4) The condition of all internal wiring connections in the locomotive. I'll go back to playing with my choo-choos.