Power supply

[mr_pid]

I am in the process of building a small layout, running up to 4 locos at one given time. I plan on using DCC power, but I don't want to mrtgage the farm in a manner of speaking. I have looked at Atlas system but don't have enough info to make a sound decission. Can anyone help me out

[Adelie]

Not that it matters too much, but what scale?

I use Digitrax, so I'd suggest you look at a Zephyr. Also check out MRC and Bachmann. Digitrax's website (www.digitrax.com) is a gold mine of information on their products, Tony's Train Exchange (www.tonystrains.com) or Loy's Toys (www.loystoys.com) are good resources, as well.

[howmus]

First of all, I see this is your first post! So welcome to the forum! [#welcome]

DCC like most everything else is one of those "You get what you pay for" things. First thing you should do is check out some of the sites listed by Adelie. Make a list of the things you want to be able to do with your DCC system. Don't hesitate to call Tony's or Loy's and talk to their tech people. They can be a wealth of help. I bought the Super Empire Builder as it did all the things I needed. For most small to midsized home layouts, the Zepher is an awesome system. The Lenz system is also reputed to be great. Be careful of the cheap entrance type systems as many have gotten them and then found out they don't do what they wanted them to do. Search this forum for DCC threads and READ!!! There is no one perfect system, you need to find the one that will serve your needs the best, including price. You are going to love DCC! Good luck!

[selector]

Good advice, and, to save you some $, try hard to think ahead. You have a plan of sorts, and maybe some engines and rolling stock already(?), so you have a vision of what your end-state will be.

However, nearly every modeler ends up convincing themselves that one more of this, and another two of that, would be even better. This is critical when talking about locomotives, the one-more-of-theses that tend to creep into your system if you are at all like the typical modeler. It will save you some $ if you can purchase what you WILL need rather than what you CURRENTLY need if the bigger needs, the future ones, cannot be met by a less capable system that cannot be added to. Some cheaper DCC systems are quite limited, as howmus has wisely pointed out, so shop wisely to ensure that whatever you settle on can meet your future needs with a minimum of hassle and $.

Welcome, and please come back often. [:)][#welcome]

[jacon12]

Mr pid, I'm glad you asked this as I'm pretty much in the same boat as you. I'm wondering just how one figures how MUCH power to buy, amperage wise (dcc). I'm starting an around the wall type layout and the mainline will roughly be down 3 walls, about 45 to 50 feet. I started to do a small 5x9 foot, but since I'm now retired and have the time I think I'll just go for it and build one I won't outgrow.
Anyone have suggestions?
Jacon

[Adelie]

Good Morning, Jacon.

Let me avoid your question by asking a couple of questions. No, I'm not a Congressman! What scale will you be running and how many locos at a time do you envision? Is the 45 to 50 feet the total length (not each wall)?

[tstage]

mr_pid,

Digitrax Zephyr or CVP Easy DCC starter sets would work well. It does depend, however, on what scale you are planning on modeling. The Bachmann EZ Command system will do 2, maybe 3, but not 4 locomotives at one time. It is only good for N & HO.

Tom

[trollw]

Jacon, the amount of 'power (amperage-wise)' to buy is a function of how many loco's you plan to run at one time. As long as you have installed adequate size wiring with feeds to the track at reasonable intervals (at least every three feet - IMHO), the voltage drop along the wire will not provide any problems. If you are in HO and using fairly recently manufactured loco's, you will be safe with 1 amp per loco (4 loco's running simultaneously = 4 amps). In reality, you can probably run twice that many since the 1 amp is generally the stall current and all of the loco's should not be in the max current draw mode at the same time - however, I try to plan for worst case, then reality is always taken care of.

[Anonymous]

I also agree with the other posts on the Digitrax Zypher. It is a great beginers system and if needed to will upgrade eaisly. A few months ago I posted asking the question about amps. THe zypher has 2.5 amps while most other systems run 5. If the zypher's 2.5 amps is not enough to run all the layout toys you requir it to, a 5 amp Digitax power supply can be added to the Zypher increasing the total amperage to 7.5. Plenty for most modest sized layouts.

Another cool feature for the Zypher is normal, cheap, DC throttles will plug right in and work as more dcc throttles.

[cacole]

For four locomotives running simultaneously you need a DCC system with at least 3 Amps power output. If all of the locomotives are newer ones with can motors, 3 Amps is more than adequate, but if any of them are older engines with open frame motors, such as Athearn, their current draw is going to be greater. Illuminated passenger cars also add to the current draw, and need to be taken into consideration.

As other members have wisely pointed out, the Digitrax Zephyr or Easy DCC are a much better choice, even for a beginner. You might also want to consider the new MRC Prodigy Advanced with a 4 or 5 Amp transformer instead of the wimpy one that comes with the set, but I would not use the Atlas or Bachmann beginner sets.

Something else that needs to be mentioned about these beginner sets such as the Atlas Master concerns their digital readouts. Although it's a rather minor thing, you do need to see one in person before you buy, to determine if the readout is bright enough for you. Two members of our local HO scale club bought the Atlas Master when it first hit the market, and wound up trashing them and going with Digitrax or EasyDCC because the readout on the Atlas system was too dim.

[Anonymous]

Mr Pid & Jacon12, I'm in a similar boat as you, building a layout and eventually planning on going to DCC. I've been snooping around and looking for some time now. Here's what I've pickup up on from other users and my own experience:

You can safely estimate Athearn locomotives to draw 3/4 amps per locomotive (HO). Better can motors draw less. That's with it running under a fairly heavy load.

DCC systems operate at a higher track voltage. If you have lighted cars, you'll have to add a dropping resistor to the light to keep from burning it out. DC systems often run at 10 volts for normal operations, and putting your lighted car on a 14 or 15 volt DCC track will cook the bulbs.

The throttle IS the DCC system for all intents and purposes, assuming that the system is capable of doing what you want it to do. I've heard of several people junking a very good DCC system simply because the other brand had a throttle that they preferred. I'd definately check out the throttle for friendliness for you before you buy it.

Hope this helps

Mark in Utah (Still drooling over DCC systems)