Power for ancillary items with DCC?

[Anonymous]

I'll be running my new layout via DCC, but how should I provide power to items such as lighting, turntable and other things that don't require DCC? I assume it would be best to not have them draw amperage from the DCC power supply, but since I have no compatible power supplies coming from Z gauge I can purchase whatever would be best.

I'd thought about buying one of the Tech4 train controls so that I could use it for something around a Christmas Tree and use it for a testing track for things I'm accumulating for the layout. Would that be a smart choice for something to use as a power supply for the non-DCC items on the layout?

[jwmurrayjr]

Hi!

I assume that you are now running HO (or is it N?). Anyway you can power your "accessories" with the Tech4. You might want to control and power your turntable with a mobile DCC decoder.

You can also convert an old (or new...they're pretty cheap) ATX PC power supply to a nifty multi-voltage supply for accessories, block control (anything that can use 3, 5 or 12 VDC) See http://www.trainweb.org/silversanjuan/Page3/Page16.html

[Anonymous]

Correct, HO, I should have stated that. I'm actually leaning towards a Tech 3 9500 that has meters so I will have some idea of draw. The turntable is the new 130" Walthers, and I've thought about converting it to DCC, but it comes with its own remote control, and I'd have to program in the set function to DCC somehow since it is indexing.

Interesting article on the PS conversion. I have a couple of old ones laying around including an Antec Phantom fanless that I could use.

[Anonymous]

I bought two 12 VDC wall warts from Radio Shack (not the cheapest, but convenient). I wired them so that I have a common ground and have about 2 amp supply for around $20.00. Very quick and easy. I also have an old power pack for some AC accessories.....

[colvinbackshop]

Guy and Jim have the right idea for suppling that extra power, if you don't need another power pack to run trains.
I have a separate Micronta 12v. 2.5 amp, regulated power supply that I got at Radio Shack (I think it cost about $25.00, 15 years ago) that powers a DC buss on the pike. It supplies all the power for all the ancillary.
Yes, a little extra cost for the supply and the buss, but I have this "thing" that DCC is for DCC only.