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DCC Power Booster

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  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 216 posts
DCC Power Booster
Posted by NILE on Saturday, November 3, 2012 9:36 PM

I am working on building an HO scale walk around layout with about 88' of mainline and another 8' foot pensulia for my auto plant.  How many boosters should I need?  The main will probably be double tracked and I will probably have a four track yard on another 8' section.  I have a Digitrax Emprire Builder command station, and that was enough for my last layout.  However, since this one will have signifcatly longer runs I probably need more power.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, November 3, 2012 10:21 PM

 How many trains do you plan to run? The 5 amps you have should be good to run at least 10 HO locos, even sound ones.

          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2005
  • 2,314 posts
Posted by don7 on Saturday, November 3, 2012 10:46 PM

NILE

I am working on building an HO scale walk around layout with about 88' of mainline and another 8' foot pensulia for my auto plant.  How many boosters should I need?  The main will probably be double tracked and I will probably have a four track yard on another 8' section.  I have a Digitrax Emprire Builder command station, and that was enough for my last layout.  However, since this one will have signifcatly longer runs I probably need more power.

You have a booster now that should be sufficient for your needs, What you need to concentrate now on is installing enough feeder lines to serve your layout.

I suggest you also incorporate a power manager such as the Digitrax PM42, divide your layout into sections and it will make life much easier for you in the event of any shorts that may and will occur on your new layout.

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 4, 2012 5:37 AM

Stick with the 5 amp booster that you already have for now. If that proves insufficient, which I doubt, then add another booster later.

I have a 162' double main line on a 25' x 42' layout, complete with 2 yards, a 10-track passenger station, and an engine servicing facility, all adequately powered with a single 5 amp booster.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,483 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Sunday, November 4, 2012 9:16 AM

The total amount of track really isn't a factor in whether or not you need a booster.  What does matter is the number of engines you need to run, whether or not they're sound engines, whether you've got other things like passenger cars using track power, and how far the ends of your layout are from the base station.

I, too, would start with what you've got.  If your system struggles to provide power, then you can add another booster later.

What you might consider, though, is dividing the layout into districts that are protected by individual circuit breakers.  That's a good thing to do anyway, and it also makes adding a booster later a piece of cake.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    September 2004
  • From: Dearborn Station
  • 24,281 posts
Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, November 4, 2012 10:30 AM

MisterBeasley

The total amount of track really isn't a factor in whether or not you need a booster.  What does matter is the number of engines you need to run, whether or not they're sound engines, whether you've got other things like passenger cars using track power, and how far the ends of your layout are from the base station.

True, but as you yourself say, how far the ends of your layout are from the base station is a factor.

So, not only is the total amount of the track a factor, but so is the length of the main line.

Rich

Alton Junction

  • Member since
    September 2008
  • 216 posts
Posted by NILE on Sunday, November 4, 2012 8:03 PM

How do you setup the layout into districs?  Is this simular to DC blocks only no selector switches required?  I am a little conserned about the overall run of the layout, the furthers point from the Command Station will be about 40'.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Sunday, November 4, 2012 9:40 PM

NILE

How do you setup the layout into districs?  Is this simular to DC blocks only no selector switches required?  I am a little conserned about the overall run of the layout, the furthers point from the Command Station will be about 40'.

 

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