I have a fairly large layout that draws about 10 amps. In the past I purchased a prodigy express system for my small layout but it won't have enough power or functions that i need for my large layout. does anyone have any suggestions for which system i should use? i would like it to allow for up to 6 operators. thank-you in advance
Colin
Modeling the Chesapeake and Ohio in the 1950s!
Big steam and Powerful Diesels!
Colin, what scale are you running and how many locos are running at once? 10A is a hefty current draw for locos only. Is all your accessory current draw included in this?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I plan to run about 9 locomotives on my layout with some switch motors in hard to reach areas. I am 14 years old and kind of new to the hobby so i appreciate the advice, thank-you!
oh and sorry i am running HO scale
I don't think your 9 locos draw 10 amps, unless they are all old, much older than you. I've run 8 at the same time with 2.5 amps from my Digitrax Zephyr. I ran out of track before I ran out of power.
You should probably read up on DCC wiring from a site like Allan Gartner's Wiring for DCC site: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/
Come back with followup questions. Some important things, a large layout should be broken up into multiple power districts with circuit breakers so a short in one area won't bring the entire layotu to a screechign halt. I think a single 5 amp system should be enough, but should it prove not to be, if the layout is already divided into multiple power districts it's a fairly easy task to add a second booster without rewiring the whole layout. You want to define the sections such that they make sense on how the trains are running, not just diving the entire layout into sections. For example, a yard should be an independent district and in no way tied to the main passing along it, because yard switchign is more liekly to result in derailments than runnign along the main.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
BuddyBombI have a fairly large layout that draws about 10 amps. In the past I purchased a prodigy express system for my small layout but it won't have enough power or functions that i need for my large layout. does anyone have any suggestions for which system i should use? i would like it to allow for up to 6 operators.
Since you are already familiar with the Prodigy Express, have you considered the Prodigy Advanced?
Personally I always say that you cannot go wrong with any of the primary providers - CVP, Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, and ZiMo. I personally own three of those 5 brands. My recomendations are that you not by a 10 Amp system but get 2-3 boosters running at 5 amps each. That buys one more than just more power but also short circuit isolation. I also recommend one throttle per train. Nothing more annoying than wanting to quickly slow the train only to find out the throttle is set or the "other" one.
Thank-you very much for all your suggestions! Another question, I would like to have multiple operators on my layout. I find that buying multiple cabs can be very expensive, is there any way that you can buy basic throttles for a layout for a smaller price? As a fourteen year old money can become an issue!
Well, you can get a DCC system that is supported by JMRI, and get teh computer interface for that DCC system,. plus JMRI (the softwrae is free), and if you have a wireless router already, you cna use WiThrottle or EngineDriver. WiThrottle is for iPhones, iPod Touches, and iPads; and EngineDriver is for Android devices. So anyone with one of those types of devices has a throttle
NCE and Digitrax have simpler, lower cost utility throttles, not everyone has to have the big full feature throttle, they arent't needed to just run trains. Even so they aren't exactly 'cheap', just cheap-er than the mega-throttle. For either of those, you just need a basic set that includes the fully featured throttle, and then every additional one can be the simpler utility throttle.
Thank-you very much! From what i have read online i am leaning toward NCE. I have found that the Power Cab has the best portability and functions for the cost i am looking at. Thank-you all for your input< it was much appreciated!
Hi Colin
Hold your horses there and step back a while and think carefully about what you really want. You need to get a firm handle on your requirements. At 2 Amps, the Power Cab is way below what you stated in the original post this morning. Even with the optional SB3a booster you are maxing out at 5A. Then there was your desire to have 6 operators. The base Power Cab can only support 2 Cabs. This goes up to 4 if you add the SB3a. If you really want 6 throttles then you would need to consider the Power House Pro system rather than the Power Cab. The PowerCab is a great system, but does not meet the criteria you set this morning.
Can you upgrade the power cab to 6 operators in the future? i don't really need to have six operators right away because my layout is nowhere near operational (preliminary track laying stage), and is there anyway to upgrade the power in the future? I just don't have the capital to buy a $400 system right now.
Colin,
The short answer - yes. The Power Cab will only handle itself and one (1) additional throttle. If you add the Smart Booster (SB3a) then you can have a total of four (4) throttles. If you decide to get the NCE PH Pro then you can have up to 63 throttles. The Power Cab can be used as a throttle with both the SB3a and the PH Pro and will do that automatically.
$400 is going to be the limiting factor; no matter which DCC system you decide upon. If 1.7A is fine for you at the moment, the cost of the Power Cab and an additional throttle can be had for under $250. As Simon suggested, back up and take a good look at your "needs" before deciding on any particular DCC system.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Sorry for not replying earlier, a new term in school started and i have been very busy! thank-you for the advice on the power cab, i never realized it couldn't expand very much. I have actually found a 8 amp booster for my prodigy express that will probably work and i can expand it with enough throttles for operation. One of my friends also runs the prodigy system and it is working very well for him, so i think i will stick with it and upgrade it as i need it! than-you all very much for your advice.
How many loco's are you running right now?
If it's only a couple then I wouldn't worry about future capacity too much.
Unless you have a big allowance it'll be a couple of years until you can hold a job and start purchasing more equipment.
The NCE power cab will do all you need in the near future. For switch machines you can simply use a plug in power supply separate from the main system.
Springfield PA
I think your original 10 Amp needs statement might be based on a misconception that your DCC system is going to power everything -- accessories, turnouts, building lights, etc.
This is not how a layout should be wired. A DCC system should be used only to run trains.
Everything else should use a totally separate power supply. I use an old computer power supply that gives out 12 Volts and 5 Volts DC, which is used for everything except track power.
As others have already mentioned, 10 Amps on the track is enough to weld a metal wheel to the rail in a derailment.
We use an NCE PowerHouse Pro with radio throttles on our large HO scale club layout. The base unit is 5 Amps output, and we have 3 additional 5 Amp boosters because the layout is divided into 4 power districts. Each power district is protected with a PSX-AR instead of relying on the booster's internal overload breaker.
I am at the moment running no locomotives because i haven't finished enough track work to justify it. my layout is designed to run up to 10 locomotives but during normal operation it will run between 6 and 8 and locomotives. I am planning on dividing it into 4 separate power districts with circuit breakers. I have a prodigy express system that i used to use for a smaller layout that has worked well for me. I have planned my layout to use about 6-8 throttles. I can expand the express system to hold that many throttles by installing plug in jacks around the layout. I have found a 8 amp booster in my local hobby shop for the MRC system that will work with the Express for a very reasonable price.