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Point of Post:  If you are using an MRC Dual Power and an EZ Streets vehicle (I had the Maroon Sedan, Cat # 42275), DO NOT.  Just got off the phone with Bachmann about why mine burned up in early December after running about 10 minutes.  It literally burned up inside.  Answer is that although the EZ Streets runs on AC power, it has to be on certain AC power sources.  The MRC Dual Power sends out a AC power in a manner that is not compatible with the motor.

 

My Question to Bachmann: Where in the instructions is there a list of non-compatible transformers, like MTH used to have in its instruction manuals for the PS-1 engines?

 

Recommendation from Bachmann Service: Lionel 1033 transformer (used as an example; point is that a functioning post war transformer will do it well).

 

A DC transformer would work too. 

 

Anyone need an MRC Dual Power?

 

 

 

 

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Oh, they are standing behind product.  There was never a question about that.  I wanted to let folks know that A + B is a bad result.

 

Point of post was to highlight undisclosed incomparability issue.  And I suspect it is not limited to MRC only.  I just happened to have MRC.

 

To me the oddity here is that it is not published in the documents that arrive with unit, no sticker on the packaging, nor anything on the web site.  Again, it would be a list of what to not use or a list of what to exclusively use.  Since neither lists exist, I have informed the masses, I suppose, with what I know - or have been told.

 

 

Originally Posted by cooperthebeagle:

MRC Pure Power Dual

 

http://www.modelrectifier.com/...uct-view.asp?ID=1247

 

 
 
Originally Posted by rtr12:

To eliminate any confusion, which specific MRC model was it that you were using?

 

That's the one I thought you were indicating. Thanks for the clarification. Just saw these on sale the other day and was seriously thinking about one, not so much now.

 

I thought it was odd it was this one, as I thought this was supposed to be a pure sine wave transformer? Kind of confusing? Maybe one of our electronic folks would be kind enough can to explain the problems with it?

Hey something is not adding up here.

 

I thought that the whole point of the MRC Pure Power series was outputting a pure sine wave.  (Because of issues with the original MRC dual power transformers that had modified wave outputs.)

 

Is my memory faulty?

 

Are MRC Pure Powers not producing Sine waves?

 

???

Originally Posted by BillP:

Hey something is not adding up here.

 

I thought that the whole point of the MRC Pure Power series was outputting a pure sine wave.  (Because of issues with the original MRC dual power transformers that had modified wave outputs.)

 

Is my memory faulty?

 

Are MRC Pure Powers not producing Sine waves?

 

???

I agree, due to the special sale pricing I was looking at them just before this thread appeared. The manual clearly states pure sine wave, which I would think would be the same as a 1033?. I'm no expert, but I am totally confused. That's why I asked about the specific model number to be sure it was the same transformer. I don't get it? Was hoping some of the knowledgeable guys would weigh in here. Maybe a call to MRC is in order?

Yeah, I am confused too.  And I started this!

 

Here is what I read to the service guy at Bachmann.  He and I chatted for some time and he was kind enough to wait while I looked up the owner's manual.  So the following is from the MRC Pure Power Dual manual: 

 

"Thank you for purchasing MRC’s advanced AC dual power train control.

MRC’s Pure Power Dual has all the power needed to operate your AC

powered trains. The true state of art and pure smooth Sine Wave Technology

will enhance the performance of your layout for years to come."

 

( whole manual is here: http://www.modelrectifier.com/...trainsound/AH601.pdf 

 

Person at Bachmann said the transformer was the culprit.  If someone here can tell me otherwise with an explanation as to why it sounds fishy, I will call back the person and ensure that (a) he heard me correctly and (b) I heard him correctly.

 

Meant this to be straight forward, so just conveying what I was told.  But questions abound, so that means something ain't copasetic.

 

Thanks. 

The person has been working at Bachmann for years and is a big collector of trains.

 

Perhaps he misunderstood what I read - it is loud in that facility at his end. 

 

He was not saying the transformer is problematic (in general), it was not of the type that would safely run the Williams EZ Streets vehicle.

 

Enough push back from here will lead me to contacting him again to convey info from forum and determine the 'official' Bachmann repair center opinion on transformer use with EZ Streets.

Originally Posted by cooperthebeagle:

Point of Post:  If you are using an MRC Dual Power and an EZ Streets vehicle (I had the Maroon Sedan, Cat # 42275), DO NOT.  Just got off the phone with Bachmann about why mine burned up in early December after running about 10 minutes.  It literally burned up inside.  Answer is that although the EZ Streets runs on AC power, it has to be on certain AC power sources.  The MRC Dual Power sends out a AC power in a manner that is not compatible with the motor.

 

My Question to Bachmann: Where in the instructions is there a list of non-compatible transformers, like MTH used to have in its instruction manuals for the PS-1 engines?

 

Recommendation from Bachmann Service: Lionel 1033 transformer (used as an example; point is that a functioning post war transformer will do it well).

 

A DC transformer would work too. 

 

John,

 

Sorry to hear that you had a problem with your new E Z Streets car. You may have fried the circuit board rather then the motor, test the motor with a small 12 volt battery.

That's interesting that the new E Z Streets car had a problem as I just bought the new set of E Z Streets with the car & transformer and turnpike building.

 

To make a long story short, to be safe use only Bachmann transformers.

 

Lee Fritz

TO ALL:  This about Williams EZ Street Maroon sedan and MRC Pure Power Dual.  Bachmann services the Williams products.  Has nothing to do with any other Bachmann/Williams product.
 
Lee:  Speculation on my part to your question - they ain't going to provide a list because of litigation - they do not want some other company that makes (made) a transformer getting in their face and arguing over whether it is the transformer or the item.
 
The wires inside the cab were fried - all insulation was black and crispy.  Had that arcing odor to it.  Very hot.
 
Originally Posted by phillyreading:

A question that I have for Bachmann/Williams is what type of transformer do you recommend for E Z Street vehicles? 

Also where is the instruction manual on how to install E Z Streets? K-Line had an instruction manaul so why not Bachmann/Williams? Plus there is NO how to on E Z Streets on the Bachmann website.

 

Lee Fritz

 

 

Lee and Joe:  You know I should have done that before I sent it back, but I guess I assumed it was a one-off defect and was not going in this direction.  Thus I did not take a picture and the item was sent to Bachman in mid December.

 

They replaced it.

 

All:  I have spoken to Bachmann Service again, just to ensure the service tech and I understood what we both said last week.  I have a call into MRC.  I am gathering facts/information and AM NOT going to disparage either products or the hard working folks at either company because that is not what this is about.  Both companies make great products.

 

BTW, the repair tech at Bachmann has been generous with his time in explaining the matter and fielding my follow up questions.  Point is: helpful as helpful can be.

 

It may take a few days before I get all factual info and can post anything further.

 

For now, I would advise to use another power source since we know that my MRC Pure Power Dual and my Maroon EZ Streets did not like each other. 

 

At the moment the reasons why are inconclusive and I only suggest the above as an abundance of caution.

 

Feel free to send me a message off line.  E-mail is in profile.

 

Stay Tuned 

 

Thank you!

I have many of the Bachmann/ WIlliams Peter Witt trolleys.  They are great and run great.  The only time we had a problem with them was when we had the voltage on the transformer all the way up  This wasn't an MRC it was an MTH Z4000.  The trolley fried not because of the type of transformer but the way it was set.  I suspect a high amperage draw might have been the cause of your fry and not the type of transformer.

Or it could be something in my transformer that is wacked out.... ?   ( I said transformer, not me!)

 

I do know that the circuit breaker tripped on the power pack.  The EZ Streets car was running on a bar bell shaped loop - you know, with a flipping y switch for each end.  It just derailed (went straight instead of following the direction of the Y switch).  Immediately I picked up and said something (like ouch) and only a few days later did I notice that the circuit breaker on the power pack had tripped- I guess when it derailed.

 

I never tried to run the thing again because of the hot touch, odor, and subsequent investigation (removal of cover) that indicated it would not be running again anytime soon.

 

Still waiting for MRC to call me....

 

 

I have many of the Bachmann/ WIlliams Peter Witt trolleys.  They are great and run great.  The only time we had a problem with them was when we had the voltage on the transformer all the way up  This wasn't an MRC it was an MTH Z4000.  The trolley fried not because of the type of transformer but the way it was set.  I suspect a high amperage draw might have been the cause of your fry and not the type of transformer.

 

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