Powerful Booster

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Puckdropper - 29 Jul 2008 09:38 GMT

My club has a need for more power. (Who did I just hear grunt?) We've
been looking at our options for several different boosters, and I'd like
some opinions.

We run a Digitrax DCC system for a reasonably large HO scale layout. One
member has suggested purchasing a NCE PB110 10 amp booster. It's
compatible with the Digitrax system, but my concern is will the 10A be too
much? There are circuit breakers in place, but to be honest I'm not really
sure they work. Usually a short trips the booster before it trips the
breaker.

We've also thought about getting another Digitrax set, but this wouldn't
provide as much extra power as the NCE PB110. One thing we're certain of:
A more powerful unit is far cheaper than two less powerful units.

Puckdropper

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Joe Ellis - 29 Jul 2008 12:39 GMT

> My club has a need for more power. (Who did I just hear grunt?) We've
> been looking at our options for several different boosters, and I'd like
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> sure they work. Usually a short trips the booster before it trips the
> breaker.

Don't bother getting another booster unless you've already added a power
manager of some kind (such as a Digitrax PM42). This provides not only
the "circuit breaker" for the track, but it's also able to be set for
different amp levels... and has 4 sections. Thus, you could feed each of
3 yards through a section of the PM42, and use another section for the
main line.

If a short is tripping the booster before the breaker, then your breaker
isn't sensitive enough, or you've got a lot of power loss in your wiring.

> We've also thought about getting another Digitrax set, but this wouldn't
> provide as much extra power as the NCE PB110. One thing we're certain of:
> A more powerful unit is far cheaper than two less powerful units.

The Digitrax DCS200 is an 8 amp version of the Super Chief command
station. Whether you go with 8 or 10 amps, you REALLY need to run
through a power manager of some kind... unless you LIKE arc welding.

If you're running a large layout, you might be well-advised to look over
the manuals N-Trak has been using for their layouts. I doubt anything
you will be putting together will even approach the recent Derby City
Express layout. (50,000 square feet, 700+ modules, 116 scale miles once
around on the DCC Red Line)

http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/dcc/index.html
http://www.trainweb.org/nrmrc/DCE_DCC_Spec_Final.pdf

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Model Forum / General / Railroads / July 2008

Powerful Booster