Hi, I was wondering if I converted some of my engines to track-powered DCC, could I use my Aristocraft 55460 Ultima 10- Amp D.C. power supply to power the track? It is currently being used as power for my Aristo Train Engineer.
What "Central Station" do you own or will be purchasing? Or will you be doing a "Locolink" type set-up?
But either way yes you can use it to power a central station or apply a constant voltage to the track for wireless dcc. I use two MRC power G's one for the central station one for power booster.
Toby
Should work fine, although I got better and more consistent operation with a regulated supply.
I have a power G, it's a nice, inexpensive supply with lots of power.
Regards, Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
Hello Toby
I am new to this hobby but very interested in what you mean by two DC power supplies in which one is used as a power booster. Can you please help me understand how you have wired your power supplies.
Thanks in advance
Henry
In DCC there are 2 components beside the throttle:
A command station, which takes the commands from the throttle, and makes a low level DCC signal, and a booster, which "boosts" the signal to the appropriate voltage and current to go to the track.
Some systems have these 2 components in one box, and require a single power supply.
Some systems have these 2 components in separate boxes, and each component needs power.
In the picture above, the top black box is the booster (you can see the "track" output), and the box below it is the command station. I use the same supply to power both, but you could use 2 separate supplies.
(The booster needs higher voltage and current, the command station takes much less)
The power supply is on the bottom here.
The system I use is the LGB MTS (Multi,Train,System) and really the only reason I went with it is because it was locally available to me from someone in a store that actually had DCC knowledge. And I was able to build my system one component at a time. Plus part of the hobby to me is being able deal one on one with someone and support a local business. Now there are many other systems available but I can only speak for the MTS system. So here come the answers.
Central Station- This is the main brain of the layout. It is situated in between the d.c. power supply and the track. When d.c. power is applied to the central station it converts it to a.c. which is also combined with the layout commands (what you tell it to do via remote).
Power Booster- A device that parallels the layout commands but applies power to a seperate track line. The LGB central station can only output 5 amps and my layout started indoors with dual main lines. I was able run a GP38 NW-2, and a S-4 at the same time. Then I get a DASH-9 and tried to double head a GP38 and GP30 on the inner and the DASH-9 on the outer they went for about 2 minutes and CLICK. Power died. In short I over drew the amperage. Added the power booster to the inner line and now I could run the double heading on the inner and the DASH-9 on the outer with no problems. When adding the booster the inner and outer lines needed to be insulated from each other at the crossover points.
Locomotive Decoder- Installed in Locomotive it receives the a.c. voltage and commands from the track and converts to d.c. power to be applied to the motor block. I use LGB and Digitrax decoders.
I owned one of the MRC power G's before I converted to DCC but I am glad I use these with my setup because the lighting circuits on the Digitrax decoders use track voltage (LGB decoder lighting voltage values can be adjusted). So I am able to back off the power on the MRC's and make my final track voltage at 18.5 volts and at night the locomotive lighting has a much more pleasant glow.
My setup as of current. As you can see there is also a turnout decoder that might also be necessary for your layout. Plus a PC module for computer control.
Well looks like while I was typing someone else rang in with an answer. But I am sure it left you wondering what a booster is and what it does. So now you have two answers.
And after reading up on the NCE system I now realize that LGB and NCE use the word "booster" in two completely manors.
Is it posible to run off of either/or track power, battery? I would like to be able to choose between the two, but not be limited to just one. Would I use some sort of switch? Please advise, wiring diagrams would be helpful.
Hmmmm, that's a melon scratch er. Greg?
Chopperthedog Hmmmm, that's a melon scratch er. Greg? Toby
This is what would make sense to me:
For the BCM (Battery Control/ conversion Module) I would use a G Scale Graphic door mount version.
sorry about the image
Sure, you can put a battery in the loco or trailing car and use a DPDT switch to switch input from the rails or battery.
Of course, now you might want to run a different system..
There's a million different combinations, but I would suggest picking one or the other, unless you are flush with cash.
IRB Souther EngineerIs it posible to run off of either/or track power, battery? I would like to be able to choose between the two, but not be limited to just one. Would I use some sort of switch? Please advise, wiring diagrams would be helpful.
Greg Elmassian Sure, you can put a battery in the loco or trailing car and use a DPDT switch to switch input from the rails or battery. Of course, now you might want to run a different system.. There's a million different combinations, but I would suggest picking one or the other, unless you are flush with cash. Regards, Greg IRB Souther Engineer Is it posible to run off of either/or track power, battery? I would like to be able to choose between the two, but not be limited to just one. Would I use some sort of switch? Please advise, wiring diagrams would be helpful.
IRB Souther Engineer Is it posible to run off of either/or track power, battery? I would like to be able to choose between the two, but not be limited to just one. Would I use some sort of switch? Please advise, wiring diagrams would be helpful.
A DPDT switch- do you have a wiring diagram? The reason I would like to be able to switch from track to battery is because I like to run smoke, lights, sound etc. But I want the freedom of battery once and while.
I suggest you "ease" into it, step by step and learn the concepts as you go.
Trying to give someone a perfect "recipe" on a forum is difficult.
You might check some of the other forums.
You have a lot of options here.
Sure, you could have some battery operated locos, and run them with the track power switched off. OR run them at the same time, as long as the loco is isolated from track power. You'd need a different control system.
If you want to have the same loco run on either track power or batteries, you could, but it'd be complicated an a lot of extra expense. You'd need at the minimum two throttles.
Aristocraft engines are supposedly wired so you can run either on track power or battery at the flip of a switch. Supposedly. You'd want to check that wiring very carefully. You could install a QSI decoder, which runs on DCC, and then ALSO install QSI's "Gwire" card, which receives DCC signals over the air. Wire up a simple sp/st switch to cut the Gwire card in and out as needed. Then you could run it on batteries with an NCE Gwire throttle, or using an airwire throttle. To run on track power, you'd flip the Gwire card "off," then flip the switch on the loco that theoretically runs it on track power, and use a different throttle.
lownote Sure, you could have some battery operated locos, and run them with the track power switched off. OR run them at the same time, as long as the loco is isolated from track power. You'd need a different control system. If you want to have the same loco run on either track power or batteries, you could, but it'd be complicated an a lot of extra expense. You'd need at the minimum two throttles. Aristocraft engines are supposedly wired so you can run either on track power or battery at the flip of a switch. Supposedly. You'd want to check that wiring very carefully. You could install a QSI decoder, which runs on DCC, and then ALSO install QSI's "Gwire" card, which receives DCC signals over the air. Wire up a simple sp/st switch to cut the Gwire card in and out as needed. Then you could run it on batteries with an NCE Gwire throttle, or using an airwire throttle. To run on track power, you'd flip the Gwire card "off," then flip the switch on the loco that theoretically runs it on track power, and use a different throttle.
Why two systems?! Why can't you do this:
http://www.aristocraft.com/articles/MRN_Revolution/TrainEngineerRevolution_MRN_0809.pdf
Here, one throttle battery or track. But with having a DCC system myself I've been trying to sell myself on why I might want to have a battery option, and I can't. And don't get me wrong I understand the pros of battery.
Here is what I like about DCC.
Aristo Dash-9 - $300
Digitrax Plun-n-play decoder - $60
15 minutes installing decoder and programing CV's
And dropping it right on the rails and running = priceless
And QSI decoder plug in for $140 with sound is also a great deal and just as easy.
Okay so back to my original question: Could I use my Aristocraft 55460 Ultima 10- Amp D.C. power supply to power the track? Do I just connect the Aristocraft 55460's output to the track?
Well you can use that power supply to power what ever DCC "central Station" you have or going to purchase. If you refer to my photo the MRC "acts as power supply" is connected to the central station "little red box" and then the track is connected to the "central station".
Chopperthedog Well you can use that power supply to power what ever DCC "central Station" you have or going to purchase. If you refer to my photo the MRC "acts as power supply" is connected to the central station "little red box" and then the track is connected to the "central station". Toby
I don't think I will be getting a "central station" because I will be using The Aristocraft Revolution with track power (and sometimes batteries).
The only reason I used quotes on central station is that there are a number manufactures of DCC central stations. But the Aristo Revo is its own beast and not a DCC system. So you could try a post referencing your model power supply with the Revo.
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