I’m getting ready to begin constructing my benchwork and have been pondering on what to do with my Digitrax Super Chief command station. Can’t just leave it hanging in mid-air. Answers to some of your questions before I go any further. I will be building a small-medium size layout. Probably just one power district. Loco net panels for the throttle (s) in maybe 3 or 4 places on the layout. Programming track on the layout as an engine track. I think I have seen it suggested before that the command station be near the center of the layout but I’m wondering do you just build a shelf under the layout, etc. Seems that would be best to accomodate the loco net cables going this way and that. Maybe the command station should be at one end of the layout to make the bus wiring simpler. See what happens when I start to think! I tried to use the search function but couldn’t find anything that seemed appropriate.
My Command Station(Digitrax DCS100) is by the workbench, which is below my branch line terminal(the workbench is at 30", and the layout is 54" at that point). I have a ‘Test Track’ and a ‘Programming Track’ at the workbench location(and an old computer that is running ‘Decoder Pro’ that is attached to the Loconet). I also have a DB100a ‘booster’ about 30’ away to power the rest of the layout.
Being close to the ‘Programming Track’ and the switches on the Command Station prompted the location. The DCS100 powers a section of the layout 12’ one direction, and 24’ the other way. The ‘booster’ powers the mainline(about 88’) and is basically ‘centered’ electrically on the layout.
I used #14 wire for the track ‘bus’ and have #22 wire for feeders. I have had no problems with voltage drop on the layout.
If there is going to be just one station, I would put it near the middle and run both power and Loconet both ways.
I put mine up where I can see it so that I can see at a glance how the switches are set, and the indicator lights, but many people put them down under out of sight. You almost never have to actually touch it, but I have a couple of young grandchildren who like to throw switches and push buttons.
I go along with Jim’s advice, as to wiring and (for space and safety sake), the use of a separate Programing track. Since the Digitrax Super Chief 20 Amp Command Control, comes with one booster, with one Power District, you probably don’t need any other Boosters. Do you plan to convert to Radio Control in the near future? I have my Digitrax Super Chief Command Control mounted on a small narrow shelf in front of the fascia, but am considering placing it on a pull out drawer shelf, so that it is out of the way,(when not needed). With a 20Amp current, the fan must not be blocked. I have four Power Districts, with four tethered LocoNets for walk around Loco control, and each has 25 switch machines that are visually operated, by the four “engineers”.(or my walk around self). Do you have “run-around track”, cross overs, reverse loops, etc. Be sure to follow the two rules. (1) In two rail wiring, its a matter of where you put the breaks in the current. Gap the rails between turnouts located frog-to-frog. (2) Feed power from the point ends of turnouts. “Wiring Your Model Railroad” Andy Sperandeo - Kalmbach Books
My programming track is the track in the middle you see going up to the right at about a 45 degree angle. It has a toggle switch for programming or normal oepration.
My control panels are about 8’ apart, behind each other. The protection devices are mounted to the back of the control panels, along with the DS64s to control the turnouts.
The maximum bus length from the protection devices is less than 20 feet.
My layout is a folded dog bone that is 12 feet by 12 feet by 10 feet, and I also plan to have just one district. I will mount mine under the benchwork where I have installed a shelf for that purpose. I think I will put the program track on the same shelf rather than using part of the layout. I haven’t yet decided. I think that most electrically inclined people will agree with having the booster in a central location. This will help minimize the amount of voltage drop because of the resistance in the wire. Longer length = more resistance = more voltage drop.
I am building a walk around layout which will eventually run around the walls of the basement. The house was constructed with a central stairway. I had the contractor install an independent 20AMP circuit for the Digitrax DCC system. I have radio, the raised shelf lets me place the UR-91 receiver high with good reception for the entire basement.
The loconet and 12ga power buss runs across the celing and down the walls to the layout. The second photo is my temporary modular layout which I moved from my apartment to the basement.
