Hi all, my apologies if this has been answered before.
In addition to my main layout, I have a small 2 ft x 4 ft N gauge traveling layout that I take to trains shows, mostly as some "flash" to bring people in the look at the for-sale trees. I've wired it for DCC, and use my Digitrax Zephyr Xtra to run it.
My only issue is that most of the time, getting a table with a standard electrical outlet is much too expensive for my needs. So I've been researching a remote power option, similar to what I use for remote telescope operations: 12V auto or motorcycle battery, and a DC-DC converter to get the proper volts.
In the case of the Zephyr's power supply, it looks like I need a 12V-13.8V converter that carries at least 3.6 amps. Easy peasy, I can find those on Amazon in the $30-40 range.
What I'm having trouble is finding a DC boost converter that puts out the same 3.6 amps as the Zephyr Xtra power supply. Plenty of 5 amp, 15 amp, 25 amp, etc, however.
So, can I just run a resistor in parallel to drop the amps to 3.6? If so, I assume I should look for an equivalent sized plug as the male end of the Zephyr power supply; any one know what size that might be?
Amps aren't "put out" by a power supply, it is a rating for the MOST you can draw. So the 5 amp version shouldbe just about perfect for the Zephyr. The Zephyr will only draw a maximum of 3.6 amps, the convertor won't shove 5 amps into it and fry anything.
Anything using a car battery - you need fuses. A car battery can supply enough instantaneous current to literally weld metal across the terminals if you short it. You need a fuse between the battery and converter at the very least - a 5 amp fuse should be good (or resettable circuit breaker). This will protect the converter and the battery (which you should carry in one of the plastic carriers meant for it - often used to house the battery on a bass boat for the electric trolling motor). Ideally, a fuse of 3.6 amps should be on the output of the converter before the Zephyr, but you are probably ok without that one.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
How about a UPS that can supply 120 VAC? They can be bought for about $100 or less from Amazon. Just need to calculate how many VA you need.
I would consider a lithium battery if you want a battery power. No liquid.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Thanks Randy and Rich.
Give to know about the amps. I thought the Zephyr would only pull 3.6 tops, regardless of the current potential out of the boost converter.
Good advice about the plastic box and fuse. Not coincidentally, I have two such rigs laying around for remote astrophotography. Just have to pick up the proper boost converter and a small inline fuse and I'm good.
Rich, I guess I'm not sure what exactly a universal power supply is. I looked at Amazon, but only really inverters. Which I did consider, but going from DC battery to ac just for the Zephyr's ac-dc power cord seemed... inelegant and wasteful. I use SLA batts for my telescope/remote laptop setups, so I don't mind liquid batts. They're just heavy!
Thanks again guys. In fairness, I probably won't actually attempt this... just a hunch that it'd probably void any warranty on the Zephyr if I have an issue (although I doubt my purchase warranty is good any more anyway).