Right now no trains will be running for a long time. I will have to secure my tracks to the plywood on my carpet by nailing them. Some parts of my line have Bachmann tracks on my carpet. I have to fill in the gaps on m line for the final revision. My trains are standing still for elaborate lighting especially at night time.
I have a Digitrax DT402D duplex radio throttle. My layout is also connected to my PC via Digitrax PR3 with Java Model Railroad Interface Software (JMRI)
I see. thanks for the reference.
You're probably right.
Hi Alloboard,
There isn't a simple answer to your question.
I model N-scale Japanese trains. An N-scale loco can draw between 70 and 120mA in normal operation. Kato models are at the lower end while Tomix and Microace are up around the 120mA for running at a scale speed of around 100km/h. They draw around 50-80mA just standing still.
Kato LED kits draw about 6mA per car. I have a 10 car EMU with two motor cars. With interior LED as well it can potentially draw 300mA.
If your cab cars are bulbs instead of LED the current goes up and the same goes for bulbs for in-car lighting. Therefore, I "upgrade" any bulbs to LED.
A 16-car shinkansen made by Tomix with two motor cars might draw up to 350mA at peak speed.
I've come to the conclusion that, for N-scale modelling, a simple rule of thumb is to allow 3 consists per Amp of power, minus 1. Ie: with a 5A power supply I'd run 3 x 5 - 1 = 14 consists max, with 8A of power I'd run 3 x 8 - 1 = 23 consists. The caveat is that no accessories are using track power.
I've not tested any other scales so I can't comment further. I hope this helps.
Cheers
The_Ghan
With that size layout, you're never going to run them all simultaneously, are you? Your 5A Digitrax should be more than adequate for you - i.e. unless you're itchin' to spend money on something you don't really need.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have the 8 amp Super Chief. I have never needed the power. I have 14 engines, 2 powered subway trains, and several lighted cars on a 16x18 around the garage layout. I used to power 10 DS-64s with track power as well, but they have all been changed to their own power supplies now.
Unless you have a mammoth empire, 5 amp should be fine. If you find you need more power it the future it is easy enough to add a booster.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Simple way to find out if your 5 amp booster will handle the load is select each engine, turn up the throttle until you get en overload on the booster. If it's impossible to do that on your layout, you won't be able to overload the booster either.
A friend of mine did this several years ago with a DB150 and N scale engines. He ran out of slots in the DB150 and never did get an overload.
Martin Myers
With 'newer' engines that only draw about 1/4 amp - You should be able to handle 25-35 engines. If you have lighted passenger cars, you will have to factor in the load that they draw as well. Just how many trains are you going to run at once in that small room?
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
How many powered vehicles (locomotives, RDC's and electric MU's) are adequate enough for an 8 amp booster in a layout inside an 11ft X10ft room? I will appreciate any suggestions. I have 14 vehicles and 4 lighted coaches that are on at with a 5amp Digitrax DB1550 DCC.