New N Locomotives and Power Supplies: Any Warnings?

Shouldn't be an issue in regards to damaging your engines, depending on the power source you intend to use. However, if it's got an old school rheostat to regulate throttle voltage (and I suspect it does), it's not going to give you the slow speeds of a digital controlled throttle. (Think: MRC Tech2 type throttle.)

Andre

laming posted:

Shouldn't be an issue in regards to damaging your engines, depending on the power source you intend to use. However, if it's got an old school rheostat to regulate throttle voltage (and I suspect it does), it's not going to give you the slow speeds of a digital controlled throttle. (Think: MRC Tech2 type throttle.)

Andre

Andre,

You bring up a very good point there.  I have several Tech IIs and a Tech IV throttle as well.  Never considered how the analog windings on the rheostat would affect performance.   Thank you!

the only thing to watch out for is a reduced top voltage [NOT top speed] for N scale .... it's usually around ten to eleven volts as the motors don't really like much more ..

you can readily accomplish this with any supply as you do not need full power from the supply .. in some cases i have seen a 'physical' limit on the speed / voltage rheostat ..

FWIW...

This older unit has been my "go to" for any and all of my DC powered stuff:

It runs N, HO and 2-rail O scale beautifully...and it looks nice, too! 

I also have a big Heathkit model railroad controller (which is awesome), but I prefer this; it just seems more "user friendly".

If you want to stay analog and can score one of these, I would by all means suggest it.

Again, just my own experience...

Mark in Oregon

Since your model 77 cab control says "Solid State" on it, I would imagine the speed control is a potentiometer and not a rheostat.  Which is just fine.

On the other hand, you may wish to investigate if this throttle puts out pulsed power.  Pulsed power was really meant for older, balky, open-framed, 3-pole motors in order to help them run better at slower motor speeds.  It also causes them to run a little warmer.  Newer, 5-pole can-style and open frame motors don't need this pulsed power, they run much smoother without it.  Matter of fact, pulsed power tends to make them run much warmer, if not down right hot.  And coreless motors can burn up prematurely running on pulsed power.  Bottom line: pulsed power NOT good for prolonged running of newer stuff.

Good luck, hope this info. helps a little.

This is all very helpful and thank you for all the responses.  The Model 77 I showed does put out a pulsed DC wave.  I used it frequently when running my 90's N scale, but those motors aren't quite the same as today's.  They are mostly Kato built Atlas, post Kato Atlas, Rivarossi, and some Life Like. 

It looks like perhaps I'll be using my Tech II and Tech IV MRC transformers for now. 

My biggest frustration is tracking down all the parts.  Down to missing track and turnouts, I only found two power supplies out of the probably dozen I own, and several engines somewhere in the depths of my storage unit.  I'll likely tear that apart next weekend to pull the rest of the parts together and see where I'm lacking.  I'm sure I'll also find many O scale treasures I forgot I had!  Note to self, downsizing a home isn't always the best idea.  All my hobbies are in complete disarray as a result.