Im new to DCC, I just got a Prodigy Advance Squared and was wondering exactly how do you add more power. I might like to do this down the road. I noticed MRC's power boosters are expensive, does any other manufacturers boosters work on Prodigy Adv Sq.??
What size layout do you have and how many of what type locos will you be running at the same time?
Ihave a 19x15 and have about 11 locos "on the table" right now (sitting on powered rails), and have had at least double that ammount at one time.They are mostly later model BLI, but some are LL P2K,Atlas and even a couple brass with can motors.
I have had my PA (Prodigy Advance) for about 8 years,and typically run two or three but maybe up to 5 or 6 of those 11 at one time The only power issues I've had were the results of motors drawing too much current because of stalling due to binding or shorts from really bad decoder installations.
When that happens, you can hear the fan in the PA kick into high. Then it makes a metallic beep and resets.
Again,only defective equipment,has been the cause, not load due to multiple engines or track length.More power wouldnot have been a resolution.
My layout is a HO shelf layout 14' x 28'. I will be running sound equiped locos only. Right now I have a BLI Big Boy,two Genesis AB consists, a Bachmann Spectrum N&W 4-8-2,and a Proto 2000 GP-7 all with sound. I also have a few older(mid80's) that Im going to add decoders to. I will probably have two to three in action at one time with a few on sidings.
I think you will be fine out of the box. I also forgot to mention that my layout is doubletrack, and I only have one set of feeder wires. Go figure. I AM picky about using only "tight" rail joiners, though. I also doublehead 2-10-0s and run ABBA sets at the same time. All with sound. I use LokSound and QSI.
I'd like to see your trackplan,as I'm abouttobuild a garage/building to house a larger, more permanent layout.