Difference between Aristo Craft Power and USA Trains Power

T

tbruch

I'm New, Please Be Gentle
I am new to G Scale and have a newbie question.

I got a USA Trains starter set for Christmas with a 40v power supply. I am not sure how many amps, but I believe 1 - 1.5. Here it is on eBay: http://r.ebay.com/PnYWAz

Then I purchased a used set of Aristo-craft trains that included an Aristo 3 amp power supply and controller (5401). Now I am reading about Pulse Width Control and am getting quite confused.

Can I run my USA Train loco using the Aristo-craft power?
Can I run my Aristo-craft loco using the USA Trains power?
Is there a power supply that can be recommended to run both locos that can also be remote control with a wireless controller?

I am getting ready to start my first outdoors track powered layout and want to start out right!

Thanks for any and all advice, suggestions and input!
 
I doubt the USAT controller is 40V output - probably around 24V when set to G scale. Its power is rated at 40VA, so at 24V would give you around 1.5 amps.

Either controller will run either brand of loco, you'll be fine. I think both controllers are probably PWM pulsed power types as it gives better low speed control. PWM can upset/confuse locos with DCC decoders fitted, but I would think that's unlikely that your locos have decoders if the sets and controllers were sold together as analogue DC systems.

There are analogue DC wireless controllers out there, but not something I'm familiar with other than some friends having the old style Aristocraft Train Engineer (not the Revolution controller) which is no longer made.
 
ntpntpntp said:
There are analogue DC wireless controllers out there, but not something I'm familiar with other than some friends having the old style Aristocraft Train Engineer (not the Revolution controller) which is no longer made.
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This current product
https://www.gscalegraphics.net/store/p54/10_amp_Trackside_R%2FC_%28Transmitter_%26_Receiver%29.html
appears to do much of what the old style Aristocraft Train Engineer did.
I have no personal experience of it however G Scale Graphics seem to have a good reputation on several forums.
 
Thank you ntpntpntp for your response about being 'safe' running either/both. You are right, neither of them have dcc encoders.

Also, thank you Neil as that transmitter does appear to be just what I would need and not horribly expensive. Then all I would need to do is purchase a more powerful power supply when the time comes that I need one. Initially, I believe the 3 amp aristo power supply I have now will be sufficient.

Much appreciated!
Tom
 
I have both USA trains and Aristocraft equipment. If you want to run USA Trains double-headed you may find that you need a 5 Amp supply, especially if your line has tight curves or steep grades, or both, as was the case with mine some years ago.
 
fridge said:
If you want to run USA Trains double-headed you may find that you need a 5 Amp supply, especially if your line has tight curves or steep grades, or both, as was the case with mine some years ago.
Click to expand...

A couple of years ago I measured a 7 Amp drain on the power supply of my local club's layout when a member was running double headed USA Trains twin bogie diesels with a lit rake of passenger cars in tow!
 
The lights use a lot of power so if the power supply isn't man enough try without lights. The train in this video [youtube] http://youtu.be/NXQUDVPQJGY [/youtube] is powered from a 24 volt 5 amp power supply controlled through a Train Engineer. The Rock Island loco is an Aristo GP40 and the Santa Fa a USAT GP38. In the second bit there are three USAT locos pulling the train.
 
THank you for all replies. After more research, I think I am going to go battery power for my outdoor layout and keep the others for my indoor raised layout, which will come later.

Thanks again!
 
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