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DCC Power Supply

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  • Member since
    June 2002
  • From: Perth,Western Australia
  • 194 posts
DCC Power Supply
Posted by lyctus on Saturday, July 31, 2004 8:16 PM
I am impatiently waiting to receive my first DCC controller and decoders from Tony (I chose the Lenz100 Set) and I have downloaded the manuals from the Lenz site. I have built a power supply in anticipation of the arrival from info gleaned from the downloaded manuals. I purchased a transformer which delivers 16v AC at 6amps and fived it into a project enclosure with an indicator light for "Power On" a 6amp fuse and an amp meter on the front panel and 16v AC terminal posts to allow wiring the DCC. It looks as smart as a cat with a gold tooth, but is it OK for DCC (A great time to ask the question I guess !!)
I am a bit anxious that I have enough of the right power for DCC and a bit concerned that the power supplies recommended by Lenz specify some commercially available (in Nth America) power packs, or "Class 2 SELV model railroad transformer with a UL or CE symbol".
Will my home made power pack do the trick ? Can anyone who has made their own power supply or is an electronics/DCC specialist comment please.
BTW, I fitted an analogue Amp meter to the front panel, but the box that the meter was supplied in said "DC Amp Meter".The electronics supply place catalogue does not actually list an A/C Amp meter. Is there a problem with the use of this meter on the LV A/C supply ? I have not put a load on the power supply to enable me to see if there is needle movement on the 10amp scale.
Geoff I wish I was better trained.
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Saturday, July 31, 2004 9:16 PM
The power supply you have should be perfectly adequate as long as the Lenz DCC system does not require a DC power supply.
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Monday, August 2, 2004 8:05 AM
Geoff;

The DC ampmeter will not work, and will probably be destroyed if you attach it to AC.

The rest of your power supply should be fine, as long as you followed appropriate safety practices.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California

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