[Westernstar]

Hi all, I'm really new to this hobby and thus far totally loving it!

I have a complete noob question: I was reading in the in the owner's manual to my FT Passenger LIonchief Ready-to Run Set the following:

• Plug the Transformer into standard wall outlet
• Connect the Transformer to the appliance
• Turn off the appliance and unplug the tranformer from the wall outlet when not in use

I was considering plugging the power pack into an outlet that I can turn on/off with a light switch. Is that an issue, or is there some reason that you have to totally disengage the power pack completely away from the power outlet? Or am I overthinking this....

thanks in advance !

 

[Lehigh74]

You are overthinking it.

 

[Westernstar]

Ok thanks!

 

[gregc]

people often plug them into an outlet strip with an on off switch

 

[bigdodgetrain]

Hi all, I'm really new to this hobby and thus far totally loving it!

I have a complete noob question: I was reading in the in the owner's manual to my FT Passenger LIonchief Ready-to Run Set the following:

• Plug the Transformer into standard wall outlet
• Connect the Transformer to the appliance
• Turn off the appliance and unplug the tranformer from the wall outlet when not in use

I was considering plugging the power pack into an outlet that I can turn on/off with a light switch. Is that an issue, or is there some reason that you have to totally disengage the power pack completely away from the power outlet? Or am I overthinking this....

thanks in advance !

the whole point is you should not ever leave a transformer plugged in indefinitely they do generate heat.

 

[MichaelE]

With power applied to the circuit...

 

[DonR]

It is quite desirable to use a power strip with an on/off switch to plug in your transformer. But also use a night light or
other light source that is also plugged into the strip. The
light glowing would be your safety indicator that the
transformer is on. When it's off so is the transformer.

Don

 

[CTValleyRR]

It is quite desirable to use a power strip with an on/off switch to plug in your transformer. But also use a night light or
other light source that is also plugged into the strip. The
light glowing would be your safety indicator that the
transformer is on. When it's off so is the transformer.

Don

Or just buy a model with a lighted switch.

But the advice so far is dead on: you don't want to leave power applied to the power pack or transformer at all times. Any way to cut off power works fine.

 

[mesenteria]

I would be very miffed if I had to replace some or all of the DCC/sound locomotives on my layout due to a power surge that got past my electronics and power supply. Far better to have a 'decent' surge protector, say near $50, to give a one-time protection of several thousands of Joules. So, I leave everything plugged in all the time, but all to a surge protector in the wall socket. The item plugged into the surge protector is a power bar with rocker switch. From that point, it's easy to see that simply rocking the rocker removes power to the layout.