Login
or
Register
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Home
»
Model Railroader
»
Forums
»
General Discussion (Model Railroader)
»
Boosters and Busses
Edit post
Edit your reply below.
Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote user="loathar"] <p>I'm leaning towards the PA system. I've heard that their 2.5 amp rating is a little liberal so I want to make sure I've got enough power. Their 5 or 8 amp boosters alone would be more than enough power for the whole layout. (8'x15' with about 200' of track) I figure the most locos at one time will be 5. two double header freights and a single switcher. Might upgrade to a few sound units as $$$ allows so I don't want to be under powered. </p><p>Can you use the base unit only as the "brains" and the booster only as power for a single district layout? (don't know if I'm explaining this right) I mean, don't use the 2.5amps of power from the main unit. Just use the booster to power the whole layout? I'm pretty much set on an MRC product, so please, no 3 pages on why I should buy a Digi system.</p><p>[/quote]</p><p>I have the PA and it is 3.5 amps not 2.5. Spend the booster money (or part of it) on a RampMeter to monitor your actual voltage and current consumption. You should not need a booster with 10 or fewer modern sound loco's running. If the RampMeter shows that you are drawing 3 amps or more, then get the booster (I don't think that this will ever happen). Yes, I have a RampMeter and two of my sound equipped engines running at one time, with 5 others' idling with sound turned on, draw less than 0.4 amps.</p><p>Again - you should not need a booster.</p><p> </p>
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag
Update Reply
Subscriber & Member Login
Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!
Login
Register
Users Online
There are no community member online
Search the Community
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter
See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter
and get model railroad news in your inbox!
Sign up