Old Bachmann "HO scale powerpack" question

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Grotto

New Member
Jun 29, 2006
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Hello.

I have a Bachmann "HO scale powerpack" circa 1965- 1978 that I was hoping to use for an N scale railroad.
Just because it says Bachmann "HO scale powerpack", does that mean that it must be used on HO only?

Here are the particulars

Bachmann "HO scale powerpack"
Made in Canada
Bachmann DMA ind.
input 120 vac 60 Hz
output 16.5 vdc open
17.5 VAC 10 VA
1 amp max
 
6

60103

Pooh Bah
Mar 25, 2002
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Brampton, Ontario, Canada
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The rating is the 1 amp limit. That would run 1 HO lcomotive, perhaps 2 modern ones. It might run 3 or 4 N lcomotives. To run an N loco, a pack might only be rated .5 to .75 amps. They don't give you much margin when you buy a starter train set.
 
P

pgandw

Active Member
Jul 9, 2005
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Grotto said:
Hello.

I have a Bachmann "HO scale powerpack" circa 1965- 1978 that I was hoping to use for an N scale railroad.
Just because it says Bachmann "HO scale powerpack", does that mean that it must be used on HO only?

Here are the particulars

Bachmann "HO scale powerpack"
Made in Canada
Bachmann DMA ind.
input 120 vac 60 Hz
output 16.5 vdc open
17.5 VAC 10 VA
1 amp max
Click to expand...

As the others have said, it has sufficient power to run N scale trains. However, it will probably not provide very good speed regulation. There is a good chance your N trains will jump into a fairly high speed, and will be unable to run slowly.

You can build a transistor throttle with better voltage control to use instead of the speed and direction controller on your power pack, or replace it with an MRC Tech 2 or later (can be used or new). Circuits for throttles can be found here: http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/CircuitIndex.html#index under DC throttles.

my thoughts, your choices
 
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