How can I connect my db100 to my Zephyr, Using my Zephyr as a command station and adding my db100 as a booster for more amps. this way I can have 7.5 total amps on my layout instead of throwing away my db100. Help
NickyB
You need to setup the the DB-100 as a booster. This can be done by connecting the sync and ground terminals together with a piece of wire. Leave the switch in the Run Position (or the P/R position if you want it to act as an auto reverser) you will also need to connect the units together with a loconet cable. When you power up your system the DB-100 will act a booster and your Zephyr will be the command station. That's all there is to it.
I would recommend seperating your layout into power districts however instead of trying to have 7.5 amps all over the layout. It is generally not recommended to have a booster and a command station hooked up to the same piece of track (ie they should be electrically seperated by insulating gaps.) Each should control a seperate block ideally.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
You're not going to have 7.5 amps all over the layout. Part will have 5 amps from the DB100 (actually they are generally good to 4.5 - in fact that's what the specs show them as), and part will have 2.5 amps from the Zephyr. That's already 2 power districts. You may have a slight speed change between sections - the Zephyr's voltage is fixed and somewhat in between the N and HO settings of the other boosters. Closest to N, so use the N scale setting on the DB100.
I really don't need more than 5 amps on my layout, probably don't even need that, so what I did was hook my B150 to the track, and the track output of my Zephyr goes to feed my stationary decoders, to keep them from using the power normally used to run trains. I see someone asked the old "DCC powered turnouts" question again so I'll be posting my usual answer as to why what I did is a good idea.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thank you very much . it worked well. My layout is setup with 4 power districts. All of them are isolated and has a 5 amp breaker in each one. I guess now I have to change to a 7 amp breaker.
Nickyb
No need to change breakers, in fact 5 amps probably won't trip before the booster. The DB100 can only out out 4.5 amps, so the sections connected to it should have breakers that trip at something less than 4.5 amps so the breaker trips first. If the zephyr s providing any track power, the breaker it connects to should be set to trip at something less than 2.5 amps or the Zephyr will trip first.
Agreed on the breakers. 5 amps is too high for eithter the DB100 or Zephyr. What is the most you expect to see from any one of the power districts?
Springfield PA
Nick,
What breakers are you using now? 5 amps is too high to do any good unless they are set to trip faster than the DB100 which can't be set to trip any slower. Even then, 4 - 4.5 amps would work better.
Martin Myers