What would be a recommended way to power the SE8C with a 12V AC or 15V DC power. Can I use track power or a separate power supply. I separate where can I get a stand alone 12V AC or 15V DC power supply with two wires.
Personally, I power all my DCC accessories from external power supplies, for several reasons:
Where to get such a power supply? Well, there are lots of places. Your DCC dealer, an electronics store, one of the many online electronic surplus dealers, and so on. Or look at the wall warts from discarded power tools, home electronics, etc. I saw a box of 'em at a garage sale once, for $1 each. Offered $5 for the whole box and took 'em all home with me.
And by a power supply with two wires, I assume you mean without a plug on the output? Well, you do have wire cutters, don't you? Just don't snip off the plug while it's plugged in...
Exactly I agree with the independent power supply.
If you read the manual, you would have found out that Digitrax recommends their PS-14. AND they recommend that you do not use it for anything but two SE8C's or one SE8C and a BDL-168. They DO NOT recommend one big power supply to power every accessory on your layout.
Electronics are expensive. If you don't pay attention to the directions, they will not last long. Your choice.
(I know you didn't read the manual because you asked if you could power it from your DCC track.)
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.
The PS-14 does not have two wires without ends. Instead it has an adapter. How does Digitrax expect you to connect a power supply that is not configured.
The PS-14 does have two wires. It also has an end plug that plugs into the DS-64. To use it for an SE8C or BDL-168, you have to use a little initiative and cut the plug off and break out the two wires.
Since you have decided to start working with electronics, you should have a multimeter of some sort and learn how to use it. With the meter you can then determine which wire on the PS-14 is positive and which is negative. You can also use it for troubleshooting when something isn't working right, and to make sure you have the correct voltage going to the right place.
Model railroad electronics is NOT plug and play. You are going to have to learn how to read wiring diagrams, use resistor color codes to determine the value of resistors, solder, make good connections in small areas with out shorting to the contact next to the one you are working on, and a lot more.
You should also know that if you connect things wrong, you risk damaging whatever you are working on, and it can cost you big bucks to get it repaired or get a new one.
This is not meant to intimidate you, but perhaps make you realize that you have to be careful and read everything you can about the product you are going to be working with. Research is the key, and not everyone has all the answers. There is a lot you will need to find out on your own.
OR you can buy the mating jack to the PS14 plug at Radio Shack and wire that to the SE8C, and plug in the PS14. However just cutting off the end and using the wires in the PS14 is just as easy and cheaper.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
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