Our local electronics recycler often has scrap laptop chargers for sale. There are usually either 18.5 or 19.5 VAC units @ 150 watt up to 230 watt sizes up for grabs, for very reasonable prices. The smaller ones would be good for about 7 amps and the larger ones about 12 amps. These seem like they might be a cheap way to power a layout as opposed to expensive "bricks". Anyone tried this approach?
Rod
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I could way off base here, but. Are you sure the output isn't DC? You can use one to provide auxiliary power for your MTH DCS TIU.
Try one and see. These are probably switching power supplies, though, and not regular transformers, so the sine wave may be pretty funky and not work well with "O" electronics. They might be good for lighting.
I use a laptop brick to power a TIU, it works fine both here and at our club. All the laptop power supplies I've seen are indeed DC, but they seem to put out pretty decent DC without a lot of switching noise.
I use a 24 volt DC laptop power supply for my HO track. I run DCS with MTH engines on 60 foot of Atlas flex track with no problems what so ever. I have only two wires soldered in one spot on my track with no other power drops or soldered joints. For O scale you would need to find an AC power source.
I am using a brick from a defunct label printer. AC output 19V, 4 amps. I took a picture of the top of the brick from both a MTH Z-500 and MTH Z-750. If I find an inexpensive (free) brick that matches that output and the price is right, usually a few bucks or free, I grab it. So far I am only using that single brick to power a dedicated trolley loop, it is working fine.
I googled the model number for the HP 230 watt adapter listed on ebay, and sure enough the output is DC; not AC. This was not specced in the ebay listing. So its kind of a moot point, at least for this adapter. 
Rod
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