Hi,
I have an N scale layout that’s about 4’ x 9’. I have a main line that can go into a small switching yard that includes a turntable. I think I can divide my layout into 3 sub districts. What type/name of circuit breaker do you suggest I use?
Thanks,
Andy
I like the PowerShield circuit breakers from Tony’s Trains - easy to set up and they come in various configurations. You can look at them www.tonystrains.com
If you are worried about managing shorts, then don’t overlook the much less costly #1156 tail-light bulb. It is rated for the voltage that you will be using, and will suck up about 2.4 amps of surge during a short. Three separate Power Shields will run you over $100, maybe more (?), but two packages of the tail lights will set you back about $5.
Yep, I’ve used the tail lights for years on my large HO Siskiyou Line layout and they work great. They’re a lot cheaper than the Power Shields … $1-$2 per block.
Is it that important to subdivide your layout? For a large layout, dividing it into separate sections to help with fault isolation is a good idea. It’s also helpful if you’re running multi-operator sessions, so that some trains can keep running when one section shorts out. However, for a small, single-operator layout, the effort to do this may be more than it’s worth.
True enough.
But for debugging purposes, it always helps to divide things up, even on a smaller layout. The first time you get a mystery short, you’ll be happy you subdivided the layout!
Hm.
Im on the fence here… What do I do with the ABBA F units that might hit a short? There is potential for damage.
I see a bulb on a track feeder wire located between the power BUS and the Rails. Do I need one bulb or two? Mind you there is like potentially 8 amps availible at the DCS 200 station.
Should every track feeder get a bulb?
Or should I just get the power shield and hope they throw quickly enough to save the engines?
The Preview video on the Website was very well done, particularly the diagram presented.
You need to divide your layout up into train-length blocks, and then put a bulb in series to the feeders going to one of the rails in that block. The current potential of your booster (8 amps in your case) doesn’t have anything to do with what gets to the track through the bulb – the bulb will limit the current to the block.
For example, if you put a single 1156 bulb on the feeders to the rails on the fireman’s side of the train block, no more than 2.1 amps will flow to the block when a short occurs. Two amps is the typical max value of an ordinary power pack and will seldom do any damage when a short occurs.
As the video link threads show, you can adjust the amps flowing to the track by using different combinations of bulbs. I don’t recommend anything over about 3 amps to the track or damage to your track or equipment may result.
Using the bulbs limits the current to the track, and thereby limits the damage from a short.
An ABBA loco set probably draws about 1 amp normally, or perhaps near 2 amps if the units are all sound equipped. With the bulbs, you need to allow some “headroom” on the current limiting capacity, or the bulbs will start drawing power and taking it away from the locos.
Generally, you should run the bulbs at about 70% capacity in a train block. If your ABBA loco set has all-sound powered units (and no dummies), then it will draw near 2 amps. The 1156 bulb is rated at 2.1 amps, and doesn’t have sufficient extra capacity for this loa
I second the motion…even NCE says, in the stuff that came with my “Smart Booster” to use the #1156 bulbs. I did. They work very well and sure save the $$$$$. Cheers.
That is one of the basic tenets of any electrical system. Take Joe’s advice, you’ll be glad you did.
Karl
I am in the process of building a new layout using an NCE Power cab, 1.7 Amp DCC system. I am uncertain on what lamp or combination of lamps to use.
To protect the 1.7 Amp Power cab, and my 2 expensive new QSI sound locos, what lamp combination should I use?
Single 1156 limits to 2.1 amps which is more than my Power cab can offer, so would the lamp do its job?
OR
Single 1142 bulb, limits to 1.5 amps. Is this to low, limiting my ability to run locos?
OR
Some other combination of lamps, resistors, etc?
Thanks