I am building an N scale layout with a double track mainline. Each mainline will have about 60 feet of track, and of course there will be sidings, etc. Will two power districts, one for each mainline, be enough? There will be crossovers between the two mainlines, and at one point one of the mainlines will cross over to itself, basically being a reverse loop. I have never used DCC before, so I don't want to pay too much by buying something that is overkill but I also don't want to start too small and pay way too much buying extra things piece by piece. I am kind of leaning toward NCE, which would be the piece by piece approach, or toward Digitrax, which might be overkill if I went with the Super Empire Builder. Would the Zephyr plus some extras be good? Really I am open to any brand. Mostly I want this layout to be fun, not a headache. Thanks!!
Two power districts should be plenty. You'll need an auto-reverse module for the return loop, otherwise you're going to have a short.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
I agree with David B. Split your power districts similar to right side and left side of the layout. It will also make you wiring easier by running one main bus under your main lines and connect both inside and outside track mains to it.
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.
I like to split the layout into power subdistricts using DCC circuit breakers. That keeps the main booster's circuit breaker on when a short is detected. Subdistricts can be "blocks" or an entire main line. The idea is to get enough power to each subdistrict and keep as many trains running as possible when one train causes a short. If only one train is to be run per main line, then one district per line is plenty. Additional subdistricts should be set up for heavy switching areas and other areas at higher risk to short circuits.
My own layout has 4 power subdistricts. One for each main line, a third for a small branch line, and the fourth for a yard. There is an extension under construction and that will be a second power district with its own booster when completed.
BTW, a power district is handled by one booster. two boosters, two power districts.Power districts can be divided into power sub districts.
Martin Myers
Martin,
Sounds good. Thanks. I appreciate the good ideas.
David and Mac,
Thanks. I never would have thought of doing it that way. That's why I'm asking for help!!
Jeff,
Thanks. At this point I'm not confident that I know what I'm doing with any of this, so I appreciate the solid advice.
davidmbedardcut up the layout into Blocks. That way, the short is dectected and localized in one Block rather than the entire mainline.