This is my first post on this forum so please humor me on a question that has probably been asked 1k times. I searched the previous posts and haven't found a direct answer so here goes....
I've been studying the DCC offerings for N and have pretty much decided on going with MRC due to the sound capability.
My question is how many locos can I really expect to be able to operate simultaneously? My current layout is 3'X16'. Normally I need to run three 6 axle units to reasonably pull the grades smoothly at slow speeds.
It seems that the rule of thumb is 1/2 amp without sound and up to 1 amp with sound. At that current draw, it seems to me that the Prodigy Express just won't cut it. True or False?
UP Clark,
First off: to the forum! Good to have you aboard!
With HO, it's probably closer to 1/4A (non-sound) and 1/2A (sound). I would assume then that N-scale would be even less.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have the PA with a 4 amp capacity. Yesterday I was running a train with three KATO SD90's, all with sound and lights. It was comsuming .4 amp. I have run as many as nine units at a time, five with sound, and used less than 2 amps.
So, it does depend a lot on the equipment you are running. However, in this case, more power is better. Go with the PA if you can.
Tilden
Thanks Loather and Tilden for the replys. I was starting to get the idea that Boosters were a necessity to have enough power. I just started back with the trains after about a 7 year hiatus and boy have I missed a lot of new stuff in that time. I've got some real catchin up to do. I gave up the space in the house for other necessities but have recently reclaimed some space for the train.
I've already got about 25 locos (all modern era) that have been in storage for all that time that will need decoders. Right now , I'm not real concerned over all the steam and early diesels still in storage. From what I read that's right at the limit for the Progidy Express to hold in memory. The higher priced units appear to be able to hold more addresses.
Looks like I should try and get started on the DCC while they are on sale!
Some of the older Athearn Blue Box locos draw a bunch too. I was running a PA/PB consist tonight and those two units, non-sound, draw substantially more that the three Kato units with sound.
Loathar, I have one of the early PA units that came with the 2500ma transformers. One day, while running a train on the layout, it simply quit, nada, nothing (it was no where near capacity) I remembered a convesation with MRC and they said the PA could take 4 amps but for insurance reasons etc, they only ship it with a 3.5 amp transformer. Since I am impatient and had a brand new Original Prodigy transformer (it was an extra) laying around, I simply replaced the 4 amp plug with the 2.5 amp plug (so it would fit the PA) and it worked fine.I called MRC and verified this was OK and they asked me to send them the old one so they could determine what went wrong. I did and they sent me a new 3.5 amp PA transformer for my trouble. I'm still using the 4amp power supply cause, well why not? Actually had it cranked up to around three amps one time with no problems.