20 VAC and 2 A Trafo?

[oyle]

Hello
As I am operating both DC (Bachmann + LGB) and Maerklin AC I wonder if the Speed Controller No 44213 (from Bachmann much better than the simpel one from LGB) can take the input of AC 20 V and 2 A ? I now uses a LGB transformer 14 VDC and 850 mA that works OK for singel trains. I would hate to ruin the Bachmann speed Controller with to high Voltage input. Do anyone know?
Oyle, Oslo, No.

[Jim Banner]

Specifications for the 44213 seem to be a well kept secret.  Neither Bachmann nor any of the retailers I checked seem to be willing to share.  All I could find was that the 44213 is designed for large scale and comes in 3 pieces - a power supply, a controller, and a connecting wire.

I do not own a 44213 so what I say is mostly guess work.  I hope someone who owns one can either confirm or refute what I say.

First, I guess that it puts out dc only.  Probably around 18 volts maximum and 1.0 or maybe 1.5 amps maximum.

Second, I guess that the "wall wart" (over sized wall plug power supply) puts out about 18 volts dc.  If this is the case, then connecting an ac supply to the input of the controller will likely destroy it.

The other possibility is that the wall wart puts out ac.  If this is the case, then connecting an ac supply to the input of the controler will likely not hurt it.  However, you will still get dc out to control the trains.

Using a power supply with a higher current rating than the one that comes with the set will not give you any more dc out of the controller.  I expect the current limit is set inside the controller, not in the power supply.

Bottom line, I do not believe that you can use this set to control ac to run your Marklin ac trains. 

[oyle]

Hallo Jim Banner
Thank you for your lines. My problem is about the DC trains (LGB - Bachmann). When Maerklin is running I
use a switch and a Maerklin Trafo.
Øyvin, Oslo, No.

[glennk28]

That LGB trafo can be a bit on the weak side--I have had a loco with sound and a llighted caboose overload them--2-motor locos like Shays would definitely slow them down.  --if you're into doing some wiring--I like old Lionel #1033 transformners with the output run through a bridge rectifier and DPDT reversing switch--the speed controller  can be used, or bypassed to feed the Bachmann controller you have--I use them to feed the Aristo TE throttles.  The Lionel transformers seem to be common enough at train shows, at least in the US--I rarely pay more than $20-30 for one.