williamsb The yellow line is the branchline, I hope you can zoom in to see it.
The yellow line is the branchline, I hope you can zoom in to see it.
Zoooming isn't going to help
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/88/t/249194.aspx
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
We sort of covered this before. A 'smallish' 10x12 layout with a couple dozen locos running probably needs more power than a base system because of the current load. A basement 20x40 layout with a single operator and only 2 locos running also generally needs more power because of the length of the bus runs. It technically doesn't neeed "more power", it just needs power sources closer to the point of consumption because of voltage drops in long runs of wire.
So both number of locos and physical size of the layout are factors that determine if you need extra boosters or not. One does not necessarily exclude the other.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
The question I now have is, will a booster fix everything without doing any trouble shooting. Granted it may be a pricey fix, but it is probably the path of least ohms.
Bear "It's all about having fun."
mobilman44 A 3.5 amp system is obviously way too small for 400, much less 525 feet of track. While having feeders every 3-5 feet will help keep "the same" power to all portions of the layout, it just won't be enough to successfully run trains. What would help is at least one booster - and I would guess that a minimum of 8 amps (total layout power) would do the trick.
A 3.5 amp system is obviously way too small for 400, much less 525 feet of track. While having feeders every 3-5 feet will help keep "the same" power to all portions of the layout, it just won't be enough to successfully run trains.
What would help is at least one booster - and I would guess that a minimum of 8 amps (total layout power) would do the trick.
williamsb I have 18 locos on the layout, only 3 have sound and only 3 or 4 engines running at a time, the most I have had running at one time is 10 engines, the grandkids like to see more than one train running at a time!
I have 18 locos on the layout, only 3 have sound and only 3 or 4 engines running at a time, the most I have had running at one time is 10 engines, the grandkids like to see more than one train running at a time!
Rich
Alton Junction
Hi,
A 3.5 amp system is obviously way too small for 400, much less 525 feet of track. While having feeders every 3-5 feet will help keep "the same" power to all portions of the layout, it just won't be enough to successfully run trainS (PLURAL).
To clarify above......a 3.5 amp system would - if sufficiently wired with a plethora of proper feeders - run A train all over the largest of layouts. BUT, if one wants to run trainS (Plural), then more amperage would be needed to run them all.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Makes sense to me, Rich. And, I wonder if there is a sub bus feeding the branchline.
bearman Based on the OP's original post, it sounds like if there is any voltage drop it is in that branchline. If the feeders are at 7 - 8 ft, maybe adding feeders on that branchline will solve any problem.
Based on the OP's original post, it sounds like if there is any voltage drop it is in that branchline. If the feeders are at 7 - 8 ft, maybe adding feeders on that branchline will solve any problem.
williamsbHow do I add power to the layout other than just the base unit?
I am nothing if not cynical...If you are going to spend 200$ or so on a booster, plus the cost of a cable, I am sure MRC will be happy to talk to you on the phone.
Thank you, I will do that.
I am kind of surprised that you have all that track and have not divided the layout into power districts. I will defer to others more knowledgeable, but if your 3.5A system is working, then if it aint broke, don't fix it. If you add an MRC booster, I am sure there will be a really neat diagram which will show you how to add the booster.
And sure enough, there is a diagram on the MRC website that shows how to connect a booster. And, I am also sure that if you called MRC they would be happy to help you out.
With a 400' double mainline and a 250' branchline, that is a lot of track to be powered. Test various points on the branchline, where you notice the slowdowns, under load and measure the voltage that way. It sounds like you have enough feeders, so a second booster may be needed to avoid excessive voltage drops.
The power flows through the Bus and the rails. If it is interrupted at one of your turnouts where you have not soldered the joiners this would increase the resistance. Yes/no just asking.
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
Did you continue the power bus under the new section? What size wire is it? What's the actual distnace the wire runs from the main system? If it runs more than 50 feet or so, you may need a booster located closer to the far end not because you need more power, but because the long wire run causes too much voltage drop. If yoou have the system unit in one corner, you might be able to solve any issues by locating it closer to the center of all the wire runs to minimize the distance any of them goes.
richhotrainYou may have 16 volts of power, but you really need to measure under load.
what voltage do you measure with a loco running on that track?
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
What scale, how many locos, sound or no sound? Depends on how much current the locos require. Any other devices using the DCC power?
Any issues at our club, we would clip a AC voltmeter to the booster output and see what voltage we had and the probe the area with a slow running loco load to find a defective feeder with a lower voltage.
Sometimes we would just do the quarter test. Depends who was at the club.
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.
williamsb I have a double track mainline and other tracks approx 400' long. It has worked fine for me. I have added approx a 125' branchline and it seems a little slower and when I do the "quarter" test it still shuts down but I don't get the same cutting in and out and noise showing where the short is that I used to. I have not divided the system into sections or added any power boosters. the track has 16v at every place I checked. I have a MRC Prodigy Advance DCC 3.5 amps. Have I got too much track and if so how do you add power? Thanks for any help.
I have a double track mainline and other tracks approx 400' long. It has worked fine for me. I have added approx a 125' branchline and it seems a little slower and when I do the "quarter" test it still shuts down but I don't get the same cutting in and out and noise showing where the short is that I used to. I have not divided the system into sections or added any power boosters. the track has 16v at every place I checked. I have a MRC Prodigy Advance DCC 3.5 amps. Have I got too much track and if so how do you add power? Thanks for any help.
As far as power districts and circuit breakers are concerned, they are useful to segment the layout into sections, but that alone will not add power to the layout or to the branchline. My guess is that you are experiencing voltage drop.
Just so you know, forum experts say not to mash on the quarter, just put it on the track.
Power needs are dependant on the number of locos and sound you are running, not distance. If you have an inadequate number of feeders, it may fail the quarter test. Are you running switch motors or accessory lighting off your bus?
Someone is going to ask, so it might as well be me, what gauge is your bus wires and at what interval are your feeders? Is your Prodigy plugged into the middle of the bus so there is 200' left and 200' right or is at the end? Is the branchline in the middle of things or is it tacked on the end?