Hello,
I need to know how to connect a power booster to my layout. I have one 5 amp power supply connected to my Digitrax Super Chief. I want to put another booster on the opposite side of my layout, but I'm not sure how to connect it. Do I connect the two wires from the booster directly to the rails?
Thanks for your help.
PDickens
The booster has to be in booster mode if it is also capable of being a command station.
The two need to be connected together with a Loconet DATA (pin1 to pin 1) cable, not a telephone ( pin 1 to pin 6) cable.
The track powered by the booster must be electrically isolated from the track powered by the command station. You need to gap BOTH rails.
If you buy a Digitrax booster it should come with instructions.
Do you really need a booster? If you are not running a lot of trains at the same time a PM42 would be much cheaper.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
You are creating a second power district. Similar to block when using DC power. The new power district's power bus, feeders , and both rails will need to be completely isolated from the district powered by your first booster.
Once isolated, the second district's bus wires will be connected to the A and B terminals of the new DB150. The A and B wires should be connected to the same side rails as those of your first power district.
Install a jumper per the manual between the "Config A" and "Ground" terminals. This makes that DB150 a slave booster.
Next connect a decent size wire 16 or 14 gauge to the ground terminals of your command station and the second DB150. I like to use green color insulated wire for this connection.
Last, install a 6 wire loconet cable between the command station and additional booster(s). This needs to be a straight through data style (pin 1 to pin 1)cable. Not a telephone style (pin 1 to pin 6) cable.
Test run a loco across the gap between districts. If everthing is wired correctly, it should cross without stalling. If it does stall, swap the rail A and rail B connections on one booster.
Martin Myers
It's been pretty much covered. Make sure you follow the instructions to isolate both tracks as well as jumper config A to ground. Also make sure you match track A of the booster to the same rail as the Track A of the command station. If you don't you'll have a short when a loco bridges the isolated section.
Springfield PA