@SteveH posted:...
In my opinion, recommending a laptop power supply could lead to damage of many of Lionel's coil based accessories (like those identified above in the OP), especially when used by kids who might not understand that if you operate these accessories on 18VDC for too long these accys. can be fried in a much shorter period of time than the recommended max operation of 10 seconds when operated on the recommended 10-12 VAC.
No argument here. It's just that I thought we were talking about DC-output adapters/bricks/power packs as that's what apparently comes with the LC Starter Set? That is, to the "topic" of this thread, I thought the discussion was about expanding an O Gauge LC Starter Set? I have no insight into "what were they thinking" by introducing an undersized DC-output adapter.
What I do believe is that no one wants to be a Chump.
Again, I have no idea who the "typical" LC Starter Set buyer is, but it seems to me they might have purchased the Set from a mass-merchandise store rather than a train hobby shop. And I think there is great fear and trepidation of becoming a chump when walking into a specialty store...like when the salespeople at a car dealer size you up for chump-ness when you walk in the front door.
To wit, a 72 Watt LC DC-output adapter is $55 MSRP. Presumably this is an 18V DC-output adapter since 18V x 4 AMP = 72 Watts.
But wait! I can buy a 90 Watt DC-output adapter for $10 on eBay shipped to my front door!
@SteveH posted:
...Also from another recent Forum Topic electro-couplers reportedly don't work on DC.
https://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/...ting-electro-coupler
But this is exactly what I mean! I reviewed the linked thread but it seems that there is small subset of Lionel cars where the electro-couplers do NOT work with DC on the track. Electro-couplers themselves are essentially agnostic with respect to AC vs. DC. It's the electronics in the cars that did not behave well with DC vs. AC. Imagine the eyes glazing over trying to explain this to the "typical" LC Starter Set buyer!
@SteveH posted:
...Lastly, it's unclear what you mean about success of Plug & play, accessories, and lights. Would you please elaborate?
Not so long ago, and I've NOT been a student of history in this matter, it seemed Lionel made a big push in plug-expand-play accessories. As of right now, if you do a Search, it appears they have a respectable 201 products in this family:
I don't have any myself and am ignorant as to the details, but as I recall this system uses a proprietary connector which can make things simple (no Wire Stripper, no Soldering, etc.). OTOH it seems that the majority of OGR threads on this family is to complain about the proprietary connector and ask about how replace, adapt, or alter it!
Similarly, there's a recently introduced "system" for lighting from Woodland Scenics called Just Plug.
Again, the idea is you can put together a somewhat elaborate lighting system with NO soldering, NO wire-stripper, etc. But it seems the most common complaint is the price and the ability (or lack thereof) to practically adapt this plug-and-play system to one's specific lighting application.
@Craftech posted:
...The voltage isn't as steady as the Lionel, but it uncouples and handles the Lion Chief engine very well. I don't think my daughter and her husband want a large transformer in their apartment. As it is they stand the Fastrack layout against the wall (using small office clips to held the sections together. Even if I pick up a new laptop power supply rated at closer to 18V it is still smaller and cheaper.
...
I think John's daughter is a case-in-point. And I know there are Christmas around-the-tree layouts where having two transformers would be a non-starter!
So, in the spirit of OGR being a discussion forum to exchange ideas or what not, for new applications or those just getting into the hobby, I wonder if there's a path forward where DC is used exclusively? Yes, there are accessories that require AC voltage to operate...but I'm guessing the percentage is much less than half and shrinking with time. And while a drop-in-the-bucket right now, I think you'll see more battery powered (i.e., DC) layouts going forward.
