Hello everybody!
I'm in the process of planning my new layout and I found a very excellent track plan on the MRR trackplan database (San Juan Extension). It's a perfect layout for the space in which I will be placing my layout.
I currently have an NCE Procab with the 5amp booster. However, I suspect due to the size of the layout I will require more power for the layout. So with that said, how many boosters would be required for this layout, and where would I place them to ensure no brownouts or dead spots on the layout?
Thanks. :)
Welcome to the Forums.
My RR is an around the walls type and in a 9X24 foot room, plus a second level. (HO) I am only using the one booster that comes with the NCE Power Pro (5 amp), and have no problems. I did divide the layout into sub-power districts using three NCE EB1 circuit breakers in case of shorts during an operating session. All my locos have sound and I typically have five locos running at any given time.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Welcome!
It is actually the current draw of your locos more than the size of your layout that determines whether your system needs an amplifier. Figure on 1 amp each for a sound equipped loco.
The best approach to a large layout is to run a fairly beefy wire (12 AWG) under the layout to serve a s a bus, and add feeders up to the track at regular intervals (16 AWG can be used for this).
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
My layout is small, 5x10 or so HO with a NCE 5a system, three subdistricts due to 2 reverse loops plus a short main. It seems to me the main issue is how many people will be running locos at once and how many of those are consists. I can only run (moving) 2-3 at a time and may have one with a 3 loco consist, another with one loco, and maybe quickly move anoter in a yard, no problems. Some others (usually ones that start up with track power vs. being moved) idling may be making some idling sounds.
I'd say two things. Keep it relatively simple as you can always add boosters, connected to chosen sections. But also consult with someone like Tony at Tony's Trains, and you can get advice basis your particulars.
Do recognize that you need to connect feeders at close enough intevals that short will trip your breakers. Read up on the "quarter test".Not just a matter of what you're running but ensuring that in the event of a short (one loco or car) that the resistence is low enought that your breaker trips before high curent melts ties, etc.
On wiring sizes, consult the reference materials; e.g., wiringfordcc.com, and MRs DCC guide are recommended in my opinion. On my smallish layout I only needed 16AWG busses and 22AWG feeders (these every 6' or so).
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent
Here is a quick link to the layout diagram (PDF):
http://mrr.trains.com/-/media/Files/PDF/trackplans/2013/GMR/DRGWSanJuanDivision.pdf
The listed size is 13 1/2 feet by 22 1/2 feet. This is comparable in size to my own layout. I have a Lenz DCC system with a 5 amp base station, and that has plenty of power to run several trains with multiple engines on each, plus some illuminated passenger cars and a few track-powered Tortoises on accessory decoders.
If you take the good advice offered above and use a hefty track power bus and lots of feeders, and you locate the base station and booster in the middle of the layout to minimize wire runs, the 5 amps you have should be plenty.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.