I am building a new double deck layout and will need a second booster.
My current 5 amp nce power pro, NOT to be confused for a wimpy powercab, has worked for my layouts for 20 yrs with only minor issues (read user screw up). And they have all been in the range of 6x10 to 20x20 with most of them being double track mains etc.
This current one is 16x24, with mirrored second deck directly above. The lower level is primarily hidden staging with the second deck for all scenery, sidings, industries and rail customers. Both decks are "E" shape in configuration.
I am going to seperate the decks via a booster for the bottom and the booster/command station for the upper deck, each with its own bus for track power.
I am considering the cvp zonemaster single 7 amp booster for the lower deck and have read that the issues of using it with nce has been resolved. I am also going to be switching from tethered to wireless with the nce rb02 transmitter and the wireless dogbone throttles upgraded to be wireless.
Any thoughts on using the cvp booster? I have always liked them and their design but have never needed a second booster this entire time. The original 5 amp procab has handled all of them like a champ. Ive never used circuit breakers, never had reverse loops and never had a helix. This layout introduces a helix but as of now, no reverse loops will be on it, thats by design btw. There will be a crossover from one line to the other but it does not introduce a reverse section electrically that I can see.
The cost for the booster and the power supply for are less expensive than the required booster and power supply from nce by almost $100.
Any thoughts or concerns will be greatly appreciated.
The darn 403 forbidden has hit me twice trying to reply!!!!!
How much load do you intend to put on the layout? My former club used a single Lenz 5 amp system where there could be upwards of 30 locomotives running. It was split up into 7 districts. I once tested my Power Cab running 7 sound equipped locomotives. The eighth one tripped it.
It's not the size of the layout, it's the load placed on it.
Pete.
Im figuring around 10-12 locos, some sound, some not. There will also be lighted passenger cars running. Each pass train will have 4-5 lighted cars but there are 6 passenger trains that will be on the layout.
Plus all the little things that run run off the dcc bus, turnout automation on the staging level which entails about 45 plus staging tracks with dcc controlled switch motors.
All that said Im pretty sure I will be exceeding the 5 amps that the nce power pro provides.
The cvp zonemaster single I believe provides a total of 7amps but will double chk that. That one will be on the staging deck considering thats where most of the tracks and turnouts will be.
Okay. Lots of load. The CVP equipment has been very reliable in my former club. We had the wireless throttles for Lenz. The only issue we had was batteries in the throttles if someone left them on. Our turnouts we're controlled by a DC bus through DPDT toggles if not manual.
I would contact them with questions.