MRC transformer AH101/101B

Here you go.

I bought one of these power packs early this year.  I did some research before purchasing, and seems like there was about a half and half split as to whether folks liked them or not.  Which, on one hand, says there is a fair amount of dissatisfaction with them.  On the other hand, I got a pretty darned good buy on my unit (still new in box), so I figured I wouldn't be out that much if it disappointed.

I believe the only difference between the AH101 and the AH101B is whether it came with one hand-held throttle or two.  Mine came with two throttles, and I think this was an option (going by memory here, my box is packed away at the moment).

There's only 3 things you can program - the start voltage, the deceleration momentum, and the acceleration momentum.  After hooking up the power pack to 2 different ovals of track and playing around with the programming for awhile, I'm not enthused with the performance of my unit.

On my start voltage, even at the lowest setting my trains still start (and stop) with a lurch.  I cannot get the voltage low enough to provide smooth starts and stops.

My deceleration momentum works the best of all.  After getting the trains up to speed, I can dial the throttles off and the trains gradually come to a halt (with the final lurch as the voltage cuts off).  However, the braking button on the controllers will bring the trains down to a gentle stop, and then accelerate smoothly back up to speed once released.

My acceleration momentum doesn't work near as good as the deceleration.  Even at their lowest (or highest?) settings, the trains accelerates up to speed in only a matter of a few seconds.  It's almost a waste of time programming acceleration rates, I can slowly turn up the dials myself over the course of a few seconds (or longer).

The only other negative thing I've noticed with mine, occasionally throttle #2 will "hang up" in neutral when changing direction on the train, and no amount of hits on the direction button will have any affect.  The only way to cure this is to shut off the power pack and turn back on.  Of course, you lose your programming when you do, so you have to reprogram.  Although this goes fast and easy, it's still pain in the pituitary.

Not sure if the hand-held throttles are the cause of these electronic ailments, or if the problems reside inside the transformer case.  I'm not overly knowledgeable on electronics, so I'm at a loss if there would be any internal adjustments (i.e., pot switches) that could be tinkered with in order to provide more optimum performance with these power packs.  Perhaps some electronic gurus could chime in with some insight/answers.

To sum up my experience thus far, my power pack runs trains, just not as ideal as the advertising would make one think.  Good thing I didn't pay a lot of money for mine, or else I would have been extremely disappointed ( or more precisely, madder than a snorting bull in the middle of a red rose flower garden). 

Paul. 

ADCX Rob posted:

Here you go.

Rob, thank you.

I got the item off of eBay a while back.  I bought it pretty cheap.  It works fine, just wanted to lower the starting voltage. But based on Paul's comment, it doesn't appear that the starting voltage can be set to 0.

Steve

I have several of the AH101's. Been using them for over 15 years. I have had one of the handhelds develop bad buttons but other than that no problems. The start voltage can be lowered or raised from the default setting but not lowered to zero. They work well with the original open frame universal motors but engines with efficient DC motors will start with a lurch at the lowest setting. Still better than the minimum 7V of the old Gilbert transformers. Having the emergency stop feature in my handheld has proven useful many times over the years.

@AmFlyer posted:

I have several of the AH101's. Been using them for over 15 years. I have had one of the handhelds develop bad buttons but other than that no problems. The start voltage can be lowered or raised from the default setting but not lowered to zero. They work well with the original open frame universal motors but engines with efficient DC motors will start with a lurch at the lowest setting. Still better than the minimum 7V of the old Gilbert transformers. Having the emergency stop feature in my handheld has proven useful many times over the years.

To resurrect this old discussion.

Found the above post: I bought one of these big units 2(?) years ago and have always experienced the same thing when running AC powered, can motored engines: little or no low speed control.

In preparation for the upcoming holidays, I've decided to go with my PW Flyer stuff (link couplers and all), and for some reason thought I would try this unit.

Sure enough, it runs these "universal" motors beautifully, with a nice range of speeds and plenty of power for lighted cars,etc. So I finally have a use for this big thing. 😁

Mark in Oregon