My secondhand Tyco train power pack just got very hot and started stinking with a sort of a something rotten kind of odor. Is it time for a new one? I'd left it plugged in, but not in use for about an hour in my room, and noticed it smelling in the living room, then I checked the power pack, and it was really hot to the touch, so I did the right thing and unplugged it. Or what could I have done wrong that caused it?
It sounds very much like it's time to replace. Overheating, especially with odors, is almost always a bad thing with electrical stuff. That pack was probably not too well made, as it would have come with one of the lower end sets, and it may also well be showing its age. If you look around, either at a local store or online, you should be able to find reasonable prices on used power packs. Personal suggestion, to stay similar, look for one by MRC, either in the Tech III or IV range. Very good systems. That's where I got mine a little while back.
i can't count the number of times that happened with my layout when I was a kid. Tyco, Model Power, Cox, at one time or another, something started smelling, and because the smoke escaped, it stopped working. There are some decent DC power packs available, much better made, more robust.
You did nothing wrong. Not sure how old it might have been, but those are very, very cheaply made. Check out "Model Rectifier Corporation". ("MRC"). They have been around a long time. You won't be unhappy!
There also very old so yes I agree time for a new power pack/ transformer. The new ones on the market are reasonable enough and probably more efficient
I have made it a habit now that I use a power strip for the trains and I always kill the power at the strip when I leave the layout. If it's electronic, it can short and overheat. Glad you caught it in time.
Get rid of that ! Go to ebay (above) and buy an MRC TECH II or such for $25-$45. Don't bid on it. Not worth it. click 'buy it. Can be used as long as return policy is solid. I used and still have a Tech II for over 30 years. Never a problem. (BTW a 'transformer' is for AC trains like Lionel. In DC it's a 'power pack'. The ads mistakenly intermix these terms). BUT, while you're RR is out of commission, if you can afford it it may be time instead to go DCC. An NCE PowerCab which I use, is about $150. You can buy one Bachmann or Atlas diesel with 'sound on board' for about $90. Once you've gone DCC on the track jack, you'll never look back. Total independency of locos, 6 stored in throttle, lights on/off, bell whistle, horn, idling sounds, brake squeal, steam chuffs, 100s of programming features, macros, way way less wiring, walk-around-layout panels, on and on........" Break the silence ! " (if you can)....Mark
