PTB-100 hook-up question

[JRP]

I recently purchased the PTB-100 track programming booster and the install instructions say to connect the black power wires to the power output from the power "input" to my DCC system (I'm using the Zephyr). When they say output, do they mean connect to the "track A & B" outputs? Just want to be sure before I connect these. The other wires on the PTB connect to the "program" output and the isolated program track. Thanks JRP

[Truck]

NO!!!!     Do not connect the BLACK wires to the track outputs.

I am not sure how the Zepher gets it's power, but what they are  saying is you can use  your Zepher power supply if it is  powered by DC[no more than 22 vlts] or AC[no more than 18 vlts]  you can tap in to that to supply to power the PTB 100 also.

If you look at the instructions closely it shows it connected to power "IN" on the command station.

 I use a 14vdc wall wort, to supply power to the PTB100 and it works just fine.

The yellow wires go to the PROGRAMING track outputs.

And the ORANGE wires got the program track.

[rrinker]

 You can't easily tap off the Zephyr's power supply since it plugs in via a coax barrel connector. Your best bet would be the extra power supply.

 Or just don't use a booster. I still haven't had a decoder I couldn't program with the Zephyr all by itself, including a Tsunami. I can also read the Tsunami just fine with a PR3 in standalone program track mode, no booster, no special power supply other than the PS14, no resistor across the rails.

                 --Randy

[JRP]

Truck, The Zephyr power input does not have the power "in" connect points to connect the black wires, so glad I sent the question out. Where can I find a 14vdc wall wort? Is this expensive? Thanks JRP

[Truck]

rrinker

 You can't easily tap off the Zephyr's power supply since it plugs in via a coax barrel connector. Your best bet would be the extra power supply.

 Or just don't use a booster. I still haven't had a decoder I couldn't program with the Zephyr all by itself, including a Tsunami. I can also read the Tsunami just fine with a PR3 in standalone program track mode, no booster, no special power supply other than the PS14, no resistor across the rails.

                 --Randy

Radio Shack may have somthing,  I was fortunate enough to have one laying around.  It is 14.2 vdc out put with a 500ma rating.  I just used one with the miliamp rating that they recomended.I  Dont know were it came from but I never let those things get tossed, you never know when you will need one.

Hopefully someone here can help you find one. I posted the instruction sheet that should give them an idea of what you need. You can use AC or DC, just dont exceed the voltage ratings on the PTB100. 

    Good luck, Truck. 

[JRP]

FYI.....I contacted the Soundtraxx factory in Colorado and spoke with a tech. Here are the 2 suggestions they had to make this work with the Zephyr (or any other DCC system not quite designed with the PTB in mind): 1. Take the black wires from the PTB and connect them each to track (one wire to each rail) that is hooked up to the track wires from the Zephyr with power on. You can still hook up the other wires as instructed and test your decoder on an isolated programming track. The power from the rails to the black PTB wires attached will allow you to operate the PTB. OR 2. Use the 12-14 volt wall wort (transformer) as you suggested and carefully splice each of the wires with the black wires from the PTB. Carefull to cover them to avoid shock or short. JRP

[Truck]

JRP

FYI.....I contacted the Soundtraxx factory in Colorado and spoke with a tech. Here are the 2 suggestions they had to make this work with the Zephyr (or any other DCC system not quite designed with the PTB in mind): 1. Take the black wires from the PTB and connect them each to track (one wire to each rail) that is hooked up to the track wires from the Zephyr with power on. You can still hook up the other wires as instructed and test your decoder on an isolated programming track. The power from the rails to the black PTB wires attached will allow you to operate the PTB. OR 2. Use the 12-14 volt wall wort (transformer) as you suggested and carefully splice each of the wires with the black wires from the PTB. Carefull to cover them to avoid shock or short. JRP

Good luck,

Their instructions dont give the option to connect  the PTB100  that way.  I would be catious.

But then again it's their chingadera, they should know.

                                                                                               Truck.

[rrinker]

 Well, hooked to the track wires is basically powering it with about 12.5 V AC.  Unlike some systems, the Zephyr doesn;t cut off track power when using the program track, so you cna program a loco on the program track while others are running trains ont he main. So the track power outputs will supply power to the PTB-100 while using the program track (as long as you remember to make sure the track power is actually turned on)

                   --Randy

 

[Truck]

You would think they would revise the instruction sheet with this option for a power supply.

But I still prefer it having it's own isolated power supply.

I was always tought to keep main track and program track circuits isolated from each other, and even though it may be safe to use track power to power the PTB100. "I am sure Soundtrax did tests on this before rcomending it I would hope."  Having the same circuits running through the same unit, gives me that  " mmmmm I dont know if I want to do that kind of feeling"  if you get what I mean.

 Enjoy,  Truck.

[rrinker]

 It's just feeding a rectifier and possibly a voltage regulator. The rectifier bridge will take care of isolating any potential ground loop. And block any potential track signal. The cleaned up input power is then remodulated with the program track signal, just without the current limit of the actual program track outputs.

                    --Randy

 

 

[JRP]

We'll, the tech from Soundtrax was right....you can use track power (off your main power) to operate the PTB-100. The thing to watch out for is that the wires on the PTB are quite fragile (I think), and can pull and break off if you're not careful when you connect them to your program track or power booster (I learned). So, I "tined" the ends of the contact wires to make them a bit stronger, and soldered rail joiners to the ends of the orange wires attached to the program track. As you stated, just remember to have the power "on" when the PTB black wires are connected to the "power rails". The DCS 50 Zephyr will allow you to program using the PTB even with tracks leads connected to another "ON" track.