Tulsa Spur Part 11: Hacking a Kato Power Pack for the HO Switching Layout

[@CalTex2222]

Thank you for inspiring me to modify my Kato Standard SX power pack to avoid having to use Kato proprietary cabling. I now have 18-gauge wires coming out of the back for track feeders, and from the side for turnout motors, and control panel lights and switches.

[@tammylovescats]

Nice work with the power pack.

[@johnjohnston9661]

Clever hack of the Kato powerpack. Nicely done!

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@truckerman8301]

Always interesting watching your handy work Steve. Enjoy seeing the progress on your layout!

[@timdaugherty5921]

Absolutely beautiful

[@traceynewell7542]

well done! Awesome little layout really nice, love your content!

[@StevesTrains]

Thanks!

[@Shane-Singleton]

I hope no rolling stock was injured during the making of this video.

[@bkdexter79]

Crash bang boom! 9:15 Lol!

[@StevesTrains]

Yep!

[@PeterCPRail8748]

Nice little project. Are you planning on going with DCC in the future, as you have more control options with it.

[@StevesTrains]

I have two DCC systems actually so I might hook one up to this layout eventually. But the short locomotive I’ll be using on this layout is only DC so until I put a sound card and speaker in there I will probably just keep it DC.

[@williamfowler8840]

Quite an interesting re-model of the Kato power pack, gives me some ideas! I would also like to see the dual power pack make-over you mentioned in this video, can you provide a link to that video?

[@StevesTrains]

I think this is the right link to that project . N Scale Mini Layout Build Part 29: Building a Control Box Part 1 : kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXSkhoRmf9Omq6M

[@kirkin2006]

I've seen center position is Off on some Kato controllers. In your case is Brake. Which is better? Is it a significative difference?

[@StevesTrains]

I don't think it is actually any different, just a difference in the label. If you put it on brake the power to the track still shuts off. Possibly it does so a little slower? I'm not sure on that. Your locomotive will still stop very quickly, regardless.

[@mathewclayson5251]

You could have recounted the LED as well.

[@StevesTrains]

Yeah, I should have, was just lazy and didn't want to run some extra wires (since it had to be moved a bit).

[@_TRASH_LORD_]

I NEED HELP I had a kato standard sx pack and I was using it for a week then it’s not doing this weird buzzing noise in the light start slowly turn red so I thought it was broken so I bought a new one in the same thing happen again I was using it then I left it on idling powered I went to go get a drink of water and it came back in and start doing the same buzzing noise every time I apply power and I need a fix now plz HELP ME 😩

[@StevesTrains]

Hard to know without seeing it, but it might be that you have a short circuit in either your track work or wiring causing the issue. I would also try a different locomotive to see if that is the issue. Could be a weird issue with the power supply as well I suppose.

[@_TRASH_LORD_]

@@StevesTrains ok

[@_TRASH_LORD_]

@@StevesTrains When I apply power it does buzzing and I saw that the green and yellow wire when it touches it immediately turns red and it starts buzzing and even without or with locomotives it’s the still does buzzing. in the old one last me two weeks in the new when I bought only lasted me 30 minutes I was using it in the kitchen then I left it idling off position to cook a drink of water then I came back and it did the same thing