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Looking for a few opinions.

I originally started with an RTR PE and then added a LC+ GP7.

The original RTR came with the 2 amp DC wall pack. That worked fine with the PE but would not run the GP7 couplers when the smoke was running, and would also power off about 1/2  throttle when I tried to pull 4 lit passenger cars.

 

Fast forward to today. I bought a 180 Powerhouse brick. I wired a Molex to a terminal track and that plugs directly into the PW180. 18V of constant AC power which is perfect for the LC+. Both AC or DC works with these engines.

During the test run today everything worked great except when I fire the couplers the buzz is Very loud, as in drowns out the digital coupler sound.

Before when it was under powered I could get the couplers to fire without smoke on but there was no buzz.

 

Is this loud buzz because I now have lots of power? Is it due to the switch to AC brick from a 2amp DC pack? Is something wrong?

I realize that some buzzing should occur with a coil but this seems a bit excessive.

 

 

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Why would it be the AC John?

 

Swanny you might have a problem with the coupler or the board.  Can you measure the resistance on the coupler?

 

The fact it won't open on the 2 amp DC pack with smoke on seems a little at issue since the LC+ shouldn't droop the voltage that much.  But maybe it is.

 

As I understand the board the AC is rectified right at input and DC is used on all the newer Lionel boards. So it doesn't have an AC ground component like TMCC.  Regardless of input, the coupler is seeing DC just like Legacy.

 

So this buzz may be normal, but it is not from the AC power.  At least I don't think so.   G

Last edited by GGG
Originally Posted by GGG:

Why would it be the AC John?

 

Swanny you might have a problem with the coupler or the board.  Can you measure the resistance on the coupler?

 

The fact it won't open on the 2 amp DC pack with smoke on seems a little at issue since the LC+ shouldn't droop the voltage that much.  But maybe it is.

 

As I understand the board the AC is rectified right at input and DC is used on all the newer Lionel boards. So it doesn't have an AC ground component like TMCC.  Regardless of input, the coupler is seeing DC just like Legacy.

 

So this buzz may be normal, but it is not from the AC power.  At least I don't think so.   G

Here are 2 short videos. 1st is with train volume about 70% and the other is with the volume at the lowest setting.

Now that I am expecting the buzz it's not so bad. It just threw me the 1st time after hearing nothing on DC power.

Let me know what you think.

Attachments

Videos (2)
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Last edited by Swanny

GGG,

It does work with the smoke on with the PW180 just not the old DC 2 amp wall pack.

here is an old clip of what happens when you fire the couplers with smoke on with a 2 amp pack.

Same GP7 engine, just a different Road name. The UP engine does the exact same thing.

 

i sent this video back then to Lionel and they said:

 

Hello,

 

Although you have enough power to go around the track you do not have quite enough to run the engine fully with the smoke on and fire the couplers.  The transformer you are using only puts out about 2 amps and you are hitting that threshold with everything on.  We suggest you change the power supply to a CW-80.  One of the first things to go out when you are exceeding or reaching the max amperage is the sounds and you will see the light flicker like it is.  Here is a video that should help:  http://www.lionel.com/Customer....cfm?documentID=6486 .  The wall packs on the lionchief sets are not designed for expansion. We would not suggest adding any additional accessories or lighted cars to this set because you will exceed the available amperage.

 

Thank You,

 

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Videos (1)
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Last edited by Swanny

Interesting response, I guess Lionel should have used a 3amp wall pack.

 

I have the LC PE.  That steam engine ran fine with a loop with light, smoke, sounds, and 3 lighted passenger cars.

 

I would think a single GP LC+ shouldn't draw that much more.  But a shot of current to the coil coupler would cause a current surge.  G

The LC and LC+ are quite different animals. The LC stuff draws quite a bit less power, and of course has no couplers.  Also, the smoke units have higher resistance in the LC vs. the LC+, so they draw less power as well.

 

The couplers alone can draw close to an amp when fired.  I've noted that many TMCC locomotives won't properly fire the couplers with less than around 15-16 volts on the track, the LC+ couplers are the same design.

 

With smoke, movement, etc. I can easily see that the couplers would be marginal with a 2A brick.

 

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

The LC and LC+ are quite different animals. The LC stuff draws quite a bit less power, and of course has no couplers.  Also, the smoke units have higher resistance in the LC vs. the LC+, so they draw less power as well.

 

The couplers alone can draw close to an amp when fired.  I've noted that many TMCC locomotives won't properly fire the couplers with less than around 15-16 volts on the track, the LC+ couplers are the same design.

 

With smoke, movement, etc. I can easily see that the couplers would be marginal with a 2A brick.

 

Quite different?  I do realize there are difference but didn't realize they were power hogs.  Just because the smoke resistor is lower doesn't mean it draws more power.  Usually they have lowered the input voltage also to compensate.


Even some of the Lionel new Conventional E-Units pulse voltage to the smoke units now a days.  No longer track power.   G

Swanny,

    Thanks for posting that Lionel Response this way I don't have to wait on the phone.   I already returned one New B&O NW2 to my dealer just last week because it "shorted" when I tried to fire the couplers.   I was however using a ready to run Lion Chief Power pack from my Son's track.   Dealer didn't even ask about my power situation.  I got the new one and still had the same problem but was amazed that no one else had it as well.  I guess a larger transformer is in my future.  Thanks for the video and response again.  

Originally Posted by StevenL:

Swanny,

    Thanks for posting that Lionel Response this way I don't have to wait on the phone.   I already returned one New B&O NW2 to my dealer just last week because it "shorted" when I tried to fire the couplers.   I was however using a ready to run Lion Chief Power pack from my Son's track.   Dealer didn't even ask about my power situation.  I got the new one and still had the same problem but was amazed that no one else had it as well.  I guess a larger transformer is in my future.  Thanks for the video and response again.  

Glad I could be a part of the solution!

I also received help from others on this forum.  Gunrunnerjohn is always a big help. 

The 180 PW bricks are great for powering LC+ engines and easy to wire straight it.

 

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