I now have a SEB still yet to be hooked up. Today I took the SEB manual to work and read it. It stated when running HO scale, I should still set the DB 150 to N scale so there is only 12 volts at the rail. When I called Digitrax help line to see if they could help with me decoder eating problem (hope that is over with) and told them I had 14.5 volts at the rail, I was told that was to much. NCE help line (buying some of there decoders) on the other hand 14.5 volts is the NMRA standred and is fine.
So, how do you run your HO scale booster, N scale or HO?
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Agreed. I have all 3 of my boosters set for HO and have never smoked a decoder.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
I know you said HO only but the fact is that unless you run your trains like slot cars it really doesn't matter which setting is used. N scale setting will give you a little finer speed control. Do the math 12/128 or 14.5/128. I'd bet most could not see the difference though.
It does matter if there is more than one booster. If they are set at different outputs, the one on the larger scale setting will cause trains to speed up when they are in its district.
Super Chief ... HO ... Have never smoked a decoder.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
SEB, HO scale....except for the time that I ran my whole layout for as much as an entire week in the O setting, with 17+ volts to the rails all that time. I somehow flipped the switch to that position, probably when feeling blind for the power toggle right next to it. I didn't notice any ill effects at the time, and still have excellent reliablity in my typically 10 decoders that are on the rails when I power up.
-Crandell
Use the HO scale setting, Ken.
Well, until I outgrow the 10 slot limit of the Zephyr as a command station, I will probably set any additional booster to the N scale setting so the voltage is compatible with the Zephyr. The Zephyr is nominally 12.5 volts. At the same time, the HO setting of 14.5 volts is fairly standard and won't apply too much voltage to the motor as there are drops through the decoder's drive circuit. And most decoders if you look mention a maximum voltage of 20-22 volts, so 14.5 is perfectly safe.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
what PSU are you using?? i have mine set to HO for N gauge as it gives a bit more speed and haven't had a problem. are you using some cheapo chip that has known issues and are cooking them off accordingly? what if you use a digitrax decoder? lastly, are your models old and have current hungry motors and high friction drives??
I hate life, just cooked a Digitrax DH 163 in a Proto 2000 SD-7. MRC Booster did shut down this time but not in time. This decoder lasted around 6 months and well over 200 hours.
Could dirty wheels cause the problem? It wheels look nasty, but was picking up power well.
SEB is getting hooked up now.
Deep Fried Ken burning up decoders again!
Dave, due really think the MRC power booster is the problem? Tell me what you really think!
The arch welder is dead, long live Digitrax. We will see, now Dave, if I melt another decoder you and I will have a little talk.
I do have the DB 150 on N scale and the HO engines seem to run fine.