I am working on building an HO scale walk around layout with about 88' of mainline and another 8' foot pensulia for my auto plant. How many boosters should I need? The main will probably be double tracked and I will probably have a four track yard on another 8' section. I have a Digitrax Emprire Builder command station, and that was enough for my last layout. However, since this one will have signifcatly longer runs I probably need more power.
How many trains do you plan to run? The 5 amps you have should be good to run at least 10 HO locos, even sound ones.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
NILE I am working on building an HO scale walk around layout with about 88' of mainline and another 8' foot pensulia for my auto plant. How many boosters should I need? The main will probably be double tracked and I will probably have a four track yard on another 8' section. I have a Digitrax Emprire Builder command station, and that was enough for my last layout. However, since this one will have signifcatly longer runs I probably need more power.
You have a booster now that should be sufficient for your needs, What you need to concentrate now on is installing enough feeder lines to serve your layout.
I suggest you also incorporate a power manager such as the Digitrax PM42, divide your layout into sections and it will make life much easier for you in the event of any shorts that may and will occur on your new layout.
Stick with the 5 amp booster that you already have for now. If that proves insufficient, which I doubt, then add another booster later.
I have a 162' double main line on a 25' x 42' layout, complete with 2 yards, a 10-track passenger station, and an engine servicing facility, all adequately powered with a single 5 amp booster.
Rich
Alton Junction
The total amount of track really isn't a factor in whether or not you need a booster. What does matter is the number of engines you need to run, whether or not they're sound engines, whether you've got other things like passenger cars using track power, and how far the ends of your layout are from the base station.
I, too, would start with what you've got. If your system struggles to provide power, then you can add another booster later.
What you might consider, though, is dividing the layout into districts that are protected by individual circuit breakers. That's a good thing to do anyway, and it also makes adding a booster later a piece of cake.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
MisterBeasley The total amount of track really isn't a factor in whether or not you need a booster. What does matter is the number of engines you need to run, whether or not they're sound engines, whether you've got other things like passenger cars using track power, and how far the ends of your layout are from the base station.
True, but as you yourself say, how far the ends of your layout are from the base station is a factor.
So, not only is the total amount of the track a factor, but so is the length of the main line.
How do you setup the layout into districs? Is this simular to DC blocks only no selector switches required? I am a little conserned about the overall run of the layout, the furthers point from the Command Station will be about 40'.
NILE How do you setup the layout into districs? Is this simular to DC blocks only no selector switches required? I am a little conserned about the overall run of the layout, the furthers point from the Command Station will be about 40'.