I am installing CVP ZoneMaster DCC boosters on my HO layout. I can get Okia Silver P4-OKIA450W-RB 450-watt Power Supplies for $26 from overstock.com. These can be viewed at http://www.overstock.com/Electronics/Okia-Silver-P4-OKIA450W-RB-450-watt-Power-Supply/3421637/product.html and are designed for computers. They have multiple connectors for various computer components but as far as I can tell, there is no simple two wire output available. Does anyone know if the output voltage (12vdc/15a) can be taken from any of the connectors and used as a normal power supply for the boosters? I can get a normal bench top power supply, 13.8vdc/7a for $60.00 from Mouser Electronics but would like to spend the $26 if the Okia power supply can be made to work. Also, will the 12vdc be enough voltage for the DCC system (NCE)?
You can use it if it can supply enough amps for the booster. I thought those CVP boosters were 5 amps. If that's the case, that ATX supply is too small.
I also wouldn't pay for a computer power supply to convert . You can pick up old ones at swap meets or just pulling one out of an old computer. To convert it you'll need to make a few modifications. Plenty of resources for doing so on the web. Here's a link to one.
12 volts ( the yellow wire, btw.) is just right for N scale. Maybe a little low for HO. In fact maybe a little low for your existing NCE booster(s). You would need to reduce the output voltage of any existing NCE boosters to match those of the CVP's with their new power supply. Not impossible to do. A difference will show up when a train crosses power districts. Since you can't get more than 12 volts out of the booster using 12 volts in, the higher voltage NCE's will need to be adjusted down. That's in the manual.
The CVP Zone Master requires a power supply of at least 15 Volts at 8 Amps, so a computer power supply that provides 12 Volts will not work. This is no time to cut corners -- purchase the proper power supply from CVP.
Twelve volts is 4/5 the power required by the Zone Master, which is likely to cause erratic operation.
In the old days I was going to use a car battery to supply power to a dc system. Today as said around 15 volts for dcc but I hay been toying with using computer power supply for lighting. switch machines and any other low voltage supply
After reading the instructions for the ZoneMaster boosters, it would appear they want no MORE than 15 volts DC. It also says track voltage is determined by the input voltage - there is no adjustment. So I would use only the ZoneMasters to power the layout so there aren't voltage variations between sections powered with ZoneMasters and sections powered by the NCE booster.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker After reading the instructions for the ZoneMaster boosters, it would appear they want no MORE than 15 volts DC. --Randy
After reading the instructions for the ZoneMaster boosters, it would appear they want no MORE than 15 volts DC.
That's true for HO scale, but the ZoneMaster can be used with O, G, and other scales that require higher voltages. That's why the CVP power supply can be set to various outputs.
And they say Digitrax manuals are complicated? There's a WARNING section which cautions against using more than 15VDC, no mention of scale. Just DANGER TO DECODERS!. But the thing can actually use 12-24VDC?
Can't get something for nothing I guess, leave out an output voltage adjustment (and a bridge rectifier so that it could use AC OR DC input), and you need a somewhat more expensive power supply to be able to adjust the output to a suitable level. I'd just bite the bullet and used the recommended power supply and not try to jury rig a PC power supply. There are many nice power supply options out there but they are all AC, meant for NCE, Digitrax, and Lenz systems.
Many computer power supplies also have a minimum load requirement on each of the different voltages, especially the cheap ones. You would need to put loads on the 5v, 3.3v, -12, -5, and stand by rails.
Also, an ATX power supply does not have an on switch. It has a green wire in the 24 pin ATX harness that needs to be grounded to turn it on.
Older AT style power supplies often had built in switches, but had high outputs on the 5v and relatively small outputs on the 12v (compared to newer supplies).
Spend the money on a good dedicated supply to do exactly what you need, and you'll be much happier.