Power supply for Digitrax DB210 booster?

[hon30critter]

Hi folks,

The club has decided to add a booster to go with our DSC100 Command Station. We have chosen the DB210 booster. Now we need to purchase a power supply for it. Digitrax's PS615 seems to be the most logical choice, but it won't allow the booster to achieve its max 8 amp output. The PS615 only puts out 6 amps. I don't think that this will be an issue down the road, but who knows?

Is there a reasonably priced alternative that will allow us to use the 8 amp capacity of the DB210 booster? Digitrax offers a 20 amp power supply but it is three times the price of the PS615. That could be a hard sell to the club members because the cost of the layout is mounting rapidly.

Another question:

If we were to buy the 20 amp Digitrax power supply, would we be able to use its excess capacity to power layout lighting, signals, etc., or would that interfere with the DCC system?

Thanks as always,

Dave

[gmpullman]

Gee, Dave, I wish shipping to Ontario wasn't a King's Ransom. I have a pair of 8 amp transformers that I bought from Lloy's Toys (remember them?) back when I first installed DCC in, was it 2005? They are Heavy!

What I used in their place was three of these, or similar. It has been a while.

https://tinyurl.com/y2crkudy

Right now I don't recall the exact voltage of the outputs on the ones I bought. I recall that the trim-pot allowed me to reduce the output to within range of what Digitrax recommended. I'll have to take a look, maybe they were 18 Volt? Digitrax says 24 VDC is OK but do not exceed 25 Volts. I've been running these on my older DCS 200 and DB250s for maybe five years or so. No problems whatsoever. They run cool and silent.

I'm not a fan of "sharing" power supplies so even with the Digitrax supply I wouldn't drive any other loads off of it.  Digitrax says you can run two boosters off the supply and they have a wye cord available for that purpose. Maybe that would be OK.

From Digitrax:

3.2 Sharing a power supply between multiple boosters Special wiring considerations must be followed when sharing a high amperage DC power supply, such as the PS2012, between multiple boosters/command stations. In the situation where multiple boosters share a common DC power supply the positive (+) DC power supply connection will be made to pin7 via CPD’s on all units that will be sharing the DC supply. On Advanced DB210/220 boosters this will be the terminal + 8A or + 16A. On Legacy boosters this will be the left-most terminal labeled “POWER IN”. The Negative(-) DC power supply lead must connected to pin4 General Return (GR or GROUND) terminals via the general return wire on all non-opto boosters.

 

Regards, Ed

[wvg_ca]

either one will work, but the PS615 is only recommended for 5 Ampere situations ..

the PS2012 -should- be able to drive lights, etc ... if you need the voltage that it supplies, at a much higher cost though ... but the Y cable included is set to 5 Ampere protection ..

An alternative is an after market suppy at 8 amp, and the correct voltage

[dieselsmoke]

Hi Dave

Check A-1 electronics on North Queen St. It's near Sherway Gardens if you are down that way. Check Sayal electronics, they have several stores in the GTA. Both have websites.

Jim

[RR_Mel]

Dave

 

As everyone knows I’m a cheapskate so I would go with a hefty 12 volt or 24 volt switching power supply off eBay and a adjustable DC to DC Buck Convertor.  A 10 to 15 amp 12 or 24 volt power supply off eBay runs in the $15 to $25 range.  I have been using 12 volt switching power supplies off eBay for over 5 years without a single problem, I’m sure the 24 volt are just as good.

 

 

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=switching%20power%20supply&_sacat=0&_sop=15&_fsrp=1&rt=nc&_udlo=12

 

I’ve been using the eBay Buck Converters for at least 4 years without any problems.  They have a wide range of adjustment and are extremely stable.  I have one set to 8.6 volts that hasn’t changed more than ±.1 volts in over two years running with a varying load of under 1 amp to slightly over 8 amps (my incandescent structure lighting).

 

https://www.ebay.com/itm/DC-DC-12A-300W-Buck-Converter-7-32V-To-0-8-28V-Step-Down-Power-Adjustable/153421337599?hash=item23b89fd3ff:g:BfsAAOSwYkRcdoex

 

The Buck Converter can use either a 12 volt or 24 volt power supply and be adjusted to put out 18 volts.

 

 

I currently have a 12 volt 30 amp power supply for my layout accessories using both 8 amp and 12 amp DC to DC Converters adjusted to 1.4 volts, 4.5 volts, 5 volts, 8.6 volts and 9.3 volts.  I have never had to readjust the voltage on any of the converters after the initial adjustment.

 

The only thing to be aware of using the DC to DC Converters is they have a common negative so you can’t use them to supply a positive ground if you are using a common negative ground system.

 

Mel

 

 

My Model Railroad   

http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/

 

Bakersfield, California

 

I'm beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.

 

[Renegade1c]

Here is an aftermarket DC switching power supply with the correct Voltage/Amperage rating. 

https://www.amazon.com/KNACRO-Switching-100v-240v-Transformers-Interface/dp/B01J199CYA/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=15+vdc+8+amp+power+supply&qid=1560273850&s=gateway&sr=8-2

Just be aware that Digitrax DB210 and DCS240 series require DC power supplies. AC power supplies are no longer supported. 

You will either need to cut off the barrel jack connector on the power supply and tin the wires and insert into the booster or get a barrel jack to screw terminal adaptor like this one.

https://www.amazon.com/Chanzon-Female-Connector-Security-Adapter/dp/B079RCNNCK/ref=sr_1_24?crid=2MNZ0PM8Y02PY&keywords=barrel+jack+to+screw+terminal&qid=1560274115&s=gateway&sprefix=barrel+jack+to+%2Caps%2C328&sr=8-24

If you do get a DCS240 command station the barrel jack connector limits the command station to 5 amps per the digitrax manual. 

i do understand you are in Canada (from your signature) but it still is cheaper that the 20 amp power supply that Digitrax sells. 

[rrinker]

 Some local, or at least within Canada, electronic distributor should sell Meanwell power supplies - silly name but they tend to be quaility products, adn they come in all sorts of ratings and voltages. The Meanwell RS-150-15 would be the one to look for, 15 volts DC at a max of 10 amps. They aren't the cheapest, but they use quality components and are rugged enough for industrial use

                                        --Randy

 

[hon30critter]

Wow guys!!

Thanks for suggesting all the different, cheaper solutions. The Digitrax 15 volt power supply is almost $100.00 Cdn with taxes and shipping.

Much, much appreciated!!

Dave

[rrinker]

 Well, gotta pay for that matching case, and the meter. And the PS2012 IS capable of driving more than one DB210. 

                                    --Randy

[carl425]

rrinker

The Meanwell RS-150-15 would be the one to look for, 15 volts DC at a max of 10 amps.

Aren't those supplies intended to be installed inside some device like an audio amplifier or a computer printer?  I'd be concerned in a club environment by the exposed screw terminals for the AC connection.

[rrinker]

 Can't be TOO enclosed, it has no fan and relies on convection cooling. Yes, everyone says that, but it's not like it will sit out on a table somewhere where a casual visitor can reach in past the plastic guard around the screw terminals and touch the wires. I'd be more concerned about someone putting them in a box and not using proper strain relief on the line cord, causing it to chafe and short out, than I would of someone getting shocked with the power supply mounted on a backboard behind the scenes with no enclosure. Semi-enclosed, as it were, mounted in a way to avoid casual contact. 

                     --Randy