Kato Power Pack AC adapters

[Wazburd]

Around a month or two ago I bought a second power pack to use on a double track loop uni-track layout. While usually the AC adapter comes separately, the store i bought it from sells them with an adapter they sourced themselves included in the box. While this seemed convenient at first, it is a 15V adapter not a 12V as recommended for N-Gauge.

Unfortunately I have been running models with this adapter, but rarely above 50% throttle. 

In addition, i noticed that the output of the Kato N-gauge "12V" adapter is in fact 13.5V at 1.5a.

 

This leaves me with two questions:

1. How likely is it that the motors in some of my models have been damaged by this?

2. Will a generic AC adapter with an output of 12V at 1.5a work without causing problems, or is there a particular reason that the Kato adapter puts out 13.5v?

 

I'll appreciate any additional advice one might have in regards to power supply as well.

 

-Waz 

 

[katoftw]

No issue or long term issues for you.

 

Kato only sold 15v version up until the 12v/15v combos were introduced.

 

All mine are 15v/16v supplies.

 

You lose some voltage through these throttles. Hence the power supplies are normally slightly higher.

 

Half throttle is like half of 13.5 volts. 6.75 volts. Well under 12v.

 

Relax and enjoy your trains.

 

[cteno4]

The 15v adapter was ac and the bridge rectifier to take it to dc takes off 2 volts. Then the power regulator chip takes off about 3v so down to about 12v max output. I think the newer 13.5v adapter may be dc and then no bridge rectifier needed in the throttle, but then 3v taken out by the power regulator chip, so still around 12v left for max voltage.

 

jeff

[mags_minibuilds]

I have a followup question to this AC adapter for the SX power pack. The Kato 22-082 adapter seems to be the size of a laptop charger unit. I've also watched unboxing videos of the Kato M1 and M2 sets and it comes with a wall wart. Can someone tell me what the difference and is the wall wart type only available in the sets? Thanks!

[Kamome]

The older produced sets always came with a wall wart when the Standard S controller (22-014) was around. Looks like the SX 22-018-1 (US version) came with a wall wart although I don’t know if that’s still the case or not. 

 

https://www.trainworld.com/kato-22-018-1-power-pack-standard-sx-replaces-22-014-dc.html

 

Certainly in Japan, the newer boxed M2 and starter sets come with the new N gauge version of the power adapter or the HM1 starter set comes with the HO equivalent. 

[mags_minibuilds]

Ahh, ok, that makes sense now, thanks! It looks like the old wall wart version is a 1.5amp and the new is 2.2amp.