I'm not "afraid" to contact CVP, just no reason to do so yet. And maybe there won't be.
With the doc I found with the Wayback Machine and some intuitive tinkering, I've got the booster up and running using the RailSync from my LocoNet. Unfortunately though, it clobbers the LocoNet, making it unusable.
CVP apparently got around that on the Booster-5 and Booster-10 by adding opto-isolation to the inputs, so they can be used with virtually any input source. I'm guessing the Booster3 was intended to be used only with the "early" EasyDCC command stations, and as a result the opto-isolation wasn't needed.
So I'm in the process of sourcing parts to throw together a quick opto-isolation circuit. I've got everything I need in my spare parts box except the opto-isolators themselves. There is still a place or two I can try locally, otherwise, I'll order from Mouser or Digikey.
Update (short version...):
Turns out the Booster3 wasn't clobbering the LocoNet. I was simply seeing symptoms of a different, unrelated issue and incorrectly interpreted those symptoms. The Booster3 is up and running just fine, no opto-isolation needed!
So now all I have to do is adjust the output voltage of the Booster3 to match my DCS100, either through adjusting the input voltage or replacing the "Z2" Zener diode with a different value, or both.
Don't be afraid to contact them. I swapped e-mails several times when I was ordering my wireless throttles. They answered quickly. I love my throttles, too.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Yeah, I thought about using the WayBack Machine right after I originally posted. Was interrupted by a dinner engagement, but when I got back to it I found it in the June 7, 2004 snapshot. It may be in others as well.
It's not listed separately, but it's included in the "EasyDCC x-Digit Installation and Operation Manual", both the 2-Digit and 4-Digit versions.
I was hoping for an output voltage adjustment, maybe by changing a resistor value. The Booster5 and Booster10 have a trimmer pot, but the only mention in the literature, at least that I've found so far, for adjusting the Booster3's output is by swapping out Z2. I'll have to look into that a little more.
The good news is that the current iteration of the CVP Web site says that the Booster3 is repairable. Even if it doesn't work now, it could still be worth while if the repair cost isn't excessive.
Using the Wyback Machine you can hit older versions of the CVP web site when they still sold the Booster-3, but I don't see the instructions for it, so far. However, it does appear to be pretty self-explanatory. There are no special features noted in the marketing speak on the web site, just the 16-20VAC in, track output, and the pair of RJ connections which certainly use the same pinout as the Booster-5. And an overload indicator light.
It's just a dumb booster, but if it works, $8 is a kill. I think that's the one EasyDCC item they DIDN'T cover in MR. They did the command station, and the Booster-10, and the AD-4, but I don't recall the Booster-3 or Booster-5. (and people say that many articles are just ads these days....)
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Might anyone have a manual or installation instructions for a CVP EasyDCC Booster3?
I can more or less figure out the basics using the Booster5 installation instructions on CVP's Web site as a starting point, but I'd like more detailed information and they don't seem to have it there.
Before I called/emailed them, I thought I'd ask here.
I picked it up at a swap meet this morning for $8.00. Seemed like a good deal...