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HELP! upgrading dcc system

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  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 14 posts
HELP! upgrading dcc system
Posted by jlugar on Thursday, December 10, 2009 8:50 PM

I am ready to move from my Bachmann e-z command system to a more advanced system.

I have a question.

Can I use my Bachmann e-z command 5amp power booster as a power supply for the digitrax super chief xtra system?

 If anyone know I would appreciate it, thanks.

  • Member since
    October 2004
  • From: Colorful Colorado
  • 8,639 posts
Posted by Texas Zepher on Thursday, December 10, 2009 9:17 PM

jlugar
Can I use my Bachmann e-z command 5amp power booster as a power supply for the digitrax super chief xtra system? 

Do you mean a 5 amp power supply used for a Bachmann E-Z system, or do you mean an acutal DCC booster that connects to the track?

  • Member since
    January 2008
  • 14 posts
Posted by jlugar on Friday, December 11, 2009 6:53 AM
I was referring the actual 5amp booster. I could check the power supply for the ez system and see what the amperage is on it but then the plug end would probably be different?
  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Sierra Vista, Arizona
  • 13,757 posts
Posted by cacole on Friday, December 11, 2009 7:06 AM

 As a general rule, a booster is a booster is a booster and should work with any system as long as the plugs are compatible.  Several companies such as CVP Products sell separate boosters that work with various DCC systems.  All the booster is doing is taking the command signal and adding track power to it

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, December 11, 2009 7:26 AM

 The Bachmann booster cannot be used as the power supply for the Digitrax system. It MAY be able to be used as a secondary booster. Hopefully the Bachmann unit has a bit better of a short circuit protection than the MRC one - I point out Cuda Ken's ongoing problems with blowign decoders every time he had a short or derailment, until he got rid of the MRC unit.

 Use the recommended power supply for the Digitrax system, or if you want to save $10, get the NCE one - it's the exact same power supply. Check the specs on the plate on the Bachmann power supply - I see their 5 amp booster uses an external transformer. If it's 15-17 volts AC at 5 amps it can be used with the Digitrax system. But since they list their booster as capabale of either 15 or 18 volts to teh rails, I suspect the power supply is higher than 18. If you're not sure what this means, post what it says on it - just the power brick.

                               --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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