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Slow Trains With Bachmann EZ Command 16 Volt Transformer
David is have problems with power to his HO layout and asks readers:
“I have one track. It’s a big square 30ft by 11 ft track. I run 2 diesel sp engines only with sp pass set all lighted on brass rails. It runs very slow and the engines run off of a bachmann ez command 16 volt transformer. The farther away from transformer the slower they go. I have a sound decoder in 1 engine. Why are they so slow. I have a 3rd sp middle engine but I can’t use it to complete my whole pacific set because then it hardly moves at all. They run better on an older style transformer, but then I will lose my sound and I love my sound so that won’t do. Can someone help. Thanks.”
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2 Responses to Slow Trains With Bachmann EZ Command 16 Volt Transformer
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There are two possible issues here. One is that brass is not the greatest electrical conductor. My first recommendation is to run a track power bus beneath the layout and run feeders from the bus to the track every 3 feet (1 meter) or so. Connect the track bus to your command power. I recommend 12 AWG wire for the bus. As long as the track feeders are 12-16 inches long, you can get by with 22 – 24 AWG track feeders. Solder the connections! Solder the connections to the bus and to the track.
Check the power output of your command station and check the current draw of each locomotive. Add the current draw of all locomotives together. As long as the current capability (in amps) of the command station is greater than the draw of the locomotives it should run.
That said, the output of the EZ Command is 1 amp. Most modern locomotives draw almost 1 amp, therefor you could only run 1 locomotive at a time. Brass locomotives CAN draw much more than that.
If you try to run more locomotives, they will run very slow AND you could burn up your command power supply station.
For the application you describe, you probably should look into purchasing a DCC system of at least 5 amps.
Also consider that your lighted cars are going to draw some current as well. Second the feeder wire suggestion, and the more amps your system can provide the more locos you can run. Be careful though, because the more amps your system can provide also means the more damage that can be caused if you have a short.