I had planned to use Volt and Amp meters on my control panel when I had my DC layout. I now use DCC and wondered if there is any value in having a 0-5 amp AC meter connected to my track power? Any thoughts on this and is it worth having?
-Bob
Life is what happens while you are making other plans!
Bob, you need what is known as a Rampmeter that can accurately assess the square wave DCC signal. I forget who sells it, but if you google it........
As to the need for one, I would only think of getting one if I were concerned about running my system near its max most of the time and wanted to be apprised of imminent system overload shutdowns by the protective circuitry...which would be a pain. If you are typically consuming current at the rate of 2 amps, say, and your system has a 2-3 amp capacity, you may want to invest in one. They aren't that costly, but nor are they cheap. But, if you are rarely exceeding a draw of 2 amps and your system can provide 5, as in my case with the Super Empire Builder, then the Rampmeter is more of a novelty...something to watch just 'cuz.
My opinion, of course.
Crandell
Bob.
Our club has them in between the DC power supplies and the boosters. This has allowed us to monitor the different power districts to further break them down. We noticed that one of the yards was always at near 5 amps until it was cut in two and split with another booster. On another line after a derailment we noticed the booster did not shut down but the amp meter pegged out. Several feeder wires were never soldered to the buss and all that current was going through the rail joiners and melted a Peco turnout. So they do come in handy. Ours were leftovers from when we converted from DC to DCC. We also recycled the voltmeters too.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
I second the Rampmeter. It is made by Rail Specialties and I bought mine from Tony's Train Exchange. There are three models that might fit your needs and budget. With my Super Empire Builder and my clubs Super Chief we have reached the maximum current availability several times and had the command station shut down until it cooled down a little. The addition of a computor fan to blow cool air over the command stations heat sink helped, but knowing the current level being drawn at any time would be a good idea.
This is the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I only run 2-3 locos at a time on my Digitrax Zephyr so I guess I really don't need one. As was mentioned it might be just a 'cuz' factor. Again, thanks for the fast and thorough responses.
farrellaa This is the kind of feedback I was hoping for. I only run 2-3 locos at a time on my Digitrax Zephyr so I guess I really don't need one. As was mentioned it might be just a 'cuz' factor. Again, thanks for the fast and thorough responses. -Bob
The previous posters explained the usefulness in monitoring the situation with boosters and power supplies. Like you, I have little concern for that part of the system.
But if you are interested in individual locomotive performance and condition, or perform your own DCC conversions, an ammeter is a very valuable tool. An ammeter measures the total load on the motor in the locomotive. Excessive friction in the drive train, too many cars attached (especially ones that don't roll well), derailments, and the like will all give a higher than normal current reading. How will you know if it's higher than normal if you don't know what the normal reading for that engine is? How will you know what decoder rating is needed if you have no idea of the current draw of the locomotive?
I use my ammeter in DC to tune my locomotives as I build/rebuild them. I tweak the mechanism for low current draw, along with other indications of a smooth running mechanism.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W