DCC power supplies

[kurtdewald]

I am running the DCS50 Zepher set on my layout and now I am starting on the upper level and I think I need to add another sorce of power for the uppper level and 2 ramps wich lead to the upper. My question is, do I just need to buy a power supply or do I need a booster to go with it?? Or is the DCS50 have enough amps to run 3-4 trains at the same time ??

Kinda lost

[rrinker]

It really depends on how many locos you intend to have running at the same time, and what type of locos they are. 2-3 old blue box Athearns with the original motors might be the limit, but you could probably run nearly 10 of the newer Stewart units with the Canon motors - my DS4-4-1000 really only pulls .25amp or so when pulling a train, which means I could run 10 of them with my Zephyr.
Should you need extra power, you will need a booster, not just a power supply. I would suggets the route I am taking - pick up a Super Empire Builder set. Configure the DB150 booster for booster-only operation. This also adds a DT400 throttle so you have an additional control point besides the Zephyr console. You cna buy the DB150 seperately if you really don't need any additional throttles, but the set it cheaper than buying the pieces seperately - the whole Super Empire Builder set can be had online for < $250.
If you can find one, say on eBay, a used DB100A works great as a booster too, but people tend to bid them up to DB150 retail prices anyway, so unless you luck out, you'd end up paying more than you should. I guess that's the downside of all Digitrax things being compatible, even witht he newer stuff - there's no such thing really as an 'old, obsolete' component that you can aquire for a low price.

--Randy