I am wiring my DCC layout but my question is not about wiring my command station (I guess that is what you call it) to the track but if I can wire the lighting on my layout to the same wires that connect the command station to the track? Or do I need to have a seperate power supply? Would it be better to have a seperate power supply? If that is the case what size wires would I need? My layout (currently) is a 3 x 4 sectional. I ask now because I do plan on expanding to a much larger layout. Thanks for the help.
You should pwoer your structure lights with a different power supply. They will work connected to the output of your DCC system, but then they will be consuming realtively expensive DCC power when a cheap old train set transformer would work just as well.
FOr example, say your DCC system is 5 amps, and you hook 2 amps worth of lights to it. You now effectivel have a 3 amp DCC system, so maybe you need a second booster and power supply to run all your trains. Compare the cost of of a DCC booster to a simple power suppyl that could run the lights - the simpel power supply will win every time. Save the DCC power for trains.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use a bunch of yard-sale toy transformers to power lights (including control panel indicators) and accessories, one per modeled town. While DC could be used for dimming, I personally prefer to run lamps on fixed voltage - at less than rated voltage.
Propulsion power is both finite and expensive. I confine it to locomotives and rolling stock illumination, and turn off the track power to any train that's just sitting in hidden staging.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Not that my opinion is needed with two informed persons already saying to keep them separate, but I agree entirely. Keep DCC and its signalled current to the rails and to actual decoders. All the non-decoder requirements should be met with a separate system. It is the way Walthers provides for you to run their wonderful indexed turntables, for example...they provide a wall wart to free you from drawing on your DCC system or your DC controller.
-Crandell