Do I need a DCC booster?

[bsteel4065]

Hi

I'm building my new HO PRR / NYC layout. It's a double decker and trains will climb around the outside of the layout to reach each level. It's 13' 6" x 10' 3" and I'll be running NEC Power Pro with all sound locos. To feed DCC to the layout I'm putting in a bus that will feed the lower level, feed the rise around the perimter and finally feed the upper level itself. This will be a total length of 142' 6". In your opinion guys, will I need a booster over this length? Or am I OK?

Thanks in advance!

Barry   

[dadret]

I'm a DCC rookie but my homework tells me that the criteria for determing whether you need a booster is the number of locos and other devices that you are running and not necessarily the length of the layout.  Add up the amps used by each loco you're running and see if it exceeds the rating of your power supply.  Its a good idea to divide your layout into blocks controlled by circuit breakers so the whole layout won't shut down if you have a short or some other problem.  Most systems come with a 3 to 5 amp power supply which will run a fairly good sized layout.  I have 5 sound equipped locos (two are A/B powered units) and have not had to add a booster to my MRC Prodigy Advance.

[bsteel4065]

Hi dadrat

Well, I'll be running 8+ locos with sound (what I have at the moment but this will grow). The major point I forgot (duh) to put in was that I'll be using DCC to controll all my switches. Yep, I'll add up all the mA's and see from there. 

As to setting up blocks, what's to do? I assume it's a trip out for each, but any reccommendations or tips or guidelines?

Thanks

Barry 

[cacole]

If you have the NCE 5 Amp PowerPro system it should be more than adequate to run a shelf layout without needing a booster, even if you have all 8 sound locomotives running at once.

 

[bsteel4065]

Thank you guys.

Barry

[JulesB]

Hi

I'm building my new HO PRR / NYC layout. It's a double decker and trains will climb around the outside of the layout to reach each level. It's 13' 6" x 10' 3" and I'll be running NEC Power Pro with all sound locos. To feed DCC to the layout I'm putting in a bus that will feed the lower level, feed the rise around the perimter and finally feed the upper level itself. This will be a total length of 142' 6". In your opinion guys, will I need a booster over this length? Or am I OK?

Thanks in advance!

Barry   

WRT wiring. Whatever system your using. If it's a single power district (the whole layput) Start your track bus as close to the center of your track as possible. Same with mutiple districts. With DCC you can leave the command station and branch out with a T or Y and feed track power in each direction. I recomend Digitals PSX circuit breaker, it's solid state (no mechanical relay's) plus it handles high inrush current inherent with most sound equiped loco's. NO need to connect the ends of the track bus, in other words you don't need a loop.

By feeding from the center you just doubled the wire legnth limits for any layout.

 

Jules

 

[loathar]

I don't believe using DCC controllers for your turnouts draws any amps from your DCC system. It just receives the signal telling which switch to throw through the track leads. The DCC turnout controls I've been researching all have terminals for a separate AC power input. Like a wall wart transformer.

[Texas Zepher]

will I need a booster over this length?

The need for a booster would be determine by the number of locomotives (power draw).   Whether or not you want to break the layout into power districts would be the secondary consideration.  With only one power district, a short in one place will stop the entire layout.  It is possible to break a layout into power districts without an additional booster by using power managment devices such as the Digitrax PM42.

[tstage]

Even if Barry doesn't use or need an additional booster(s), would it still be wise for him to divide his layout into districts anyhow?  My gut feeling says yes for short detection.

Tom

[Texas Zepher]

Even if Barry doesn't use or need an additional booster(s), would it still be wise for him to divide his layout into districts anyhow?

Depends on how the layout is going to be operated, but yes I hoped that I implied that with my message.

[jbinkley60]

I don't believe using DCC controllers for your turnouts draws any amps from your DCC system. It just receives the signal telling which switch to throw through the track leads. The DCC turnout controls I've been researching all have terminals for a separate AC power input. Like a wall wart transformer.

It depends upon the stationary controller being used.  For example a Digitrax DS44 draws all power from the track but a Digitrax DS64 can either use track power or have an external power feed.  I believe most have the option for external power but not all.