I have a DBS 150, 2 x PM42 Power Managers, each with a 5 amp power supply.My three questions are:1. Can I run the 2 PM42s off the one booster.2. Can I set up one of the PM42s to have 2 auto reversing sections and two short circuit managers (if I'm reading the directions correctly I believe I can but I'd rather ask before I let the smoke get loose, hard getting it back in!)3.Can I run an AR1 off of a section of track set up in the short circuit or auto reversing configuration (loops and a turntableThank you for your assistance
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If one could roll back the hands of time... They would be waiting for the next train into the future. A. H. Francey 1921-2007
You can run as many PM42's as you want off a single booster, the inputs all just wire in parallel.
You can configure a single PM42 to be 2 breakers and 2 autoreversers, hoever some have reported having issues with that - nothing that will let the magic smoke out, just, when the train hits the reversing section, it cuts power like it's a short instead of reversing. YMMV. Could be some people didn't follow the instructions exactly.
You can put an AR1 downstream of an PM42 breaker section. You would not want to put an AR1 downstream of a PM42 reversing section - there's no reason to have 2 reversers in series. Key to it all working is setting the trip timing via CVs on the PM42 and OpSw values on the DB150 - the idea is that the autoreverse needs to trip first, but if reversing doesn't fix the problem (it's really a short - you left the Kadee couple gauge sitting on the reverse loop track), the PM42 cuts power to that section, allowing the rest of the blocks to continue getting power. Booster should only trip as a last resort (to cut power in case of a major malfunction of some sort)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Once again Randy you've saved the day and kept the smoke at bay! Time to do some soldering tomorrow and letting the flux smoke away!
Best practice is not to have a reversing section of a PM42 connected to a short circuit section of the same PM42.
You can use short circuit sections of the second PM42 to protect each of the 2 auto-reversing sections of the first PM42. The two remaining short circuit sections of the first PM42 can be used to protect other power sections of the layout.
Martin Myers