Here’s the deal. Just fired up my new( and 1st layout) 3 mainlines and several branches, 360’ +/- of track with NCE PH Pro5 wireless. I’m running mainly LifeLike P2Ks that I’ve converted to DCC. When I run multiple, up to 4 so far(not consisted) GP7s, GP9s and my Atlas HH660 everything works great. Different directions and speeds all good. I also have LLP2K PAs. They work fine individually when they are the only thing on the track. When I add the other PA or any other locomotives things get wonky and my circuit breaker starts tripping continuously. I’ve reset to default the PA decoders and reassigned their #s both long addresses. Seems like if there was an internal problem of some sort they wouldn’t operate fine by themselves. Are they drawing too much power? I would have thought 5 amps was plenty of juice. Any insights would be appreciated.
There was a run of thopse PAs back in the day that had motors that drew a LOT of current - on the order of 3 amps. You might have some of those, though how they aren’t frying the decoder is another mystery.
Do you have a meter that will read the DCC voltage on the track? If so measure the voltage on the rails with out any locomotives on the track then with the meter reading the voltage put a PA on the track and see if there is significant voltage drop. Compare the second PA to the first. Then check one of your other locomotive and compare it to the PAs. If there is a big difference check your wiring on the PAs for an error.
Are you connecting anything else to track power besides locomotives? Any structure lighting? Any stationary decoders? Any illuminated passenger cars? All of these draw power.
How about dividing your layout into power districts with circuit breakers? If so, each district is now limited by the allowed breaker current that the breaker is set to, not the total system current.
The lifelike/proto PAs have a metal frame and unless you did a lot of isolation, with kadee metal couplers they make a short through the coupler when run back to back. Ask me how I know this…
The PH Pro has an internal circuit breaker the trips at some value less than 5 amps. If you have another circuit breaker in series with the PH pro circuit breaker, the circuit will be interrupted by whichever breaker has the lowest set point.
Update, the EB-1 is factory set at 1.5 amps, I kicked it up to the next setting of 2.2 amps and now both PAs run fine opposite directions on two mainlines. I haven’t yet added any more locomotives.
It’s important to give all information - this is a prime example. There should not be a problem with a 5 amp system runnign the listed locos at the same time, let alone it dropping out with just one specific model plus another.
But one piece of missing information - between the 5 amp power and the rails is a circuit breaker set to 1.1 amps. So the load being placed ont he rails was exceeding 1.1 amps, not 5 amps.
I would recommend getting a second EB-1, set that to 2.2 amps as well, then figure out where the approximate halfway point is on the layout based on where and how many trains runs at a time. Gap both rails in two places to make two separate sections, divide the power bus the same way, and add the second EB-1 to power the second section.
Usually you don’t know what all the information needed is until you discover the solution. The questions asked by respondents lead to the light bulb coming on as is often the case. Thanks everyone
These electronic mysteries are frequently like Columbo mysteries. The shown track plan is doesn’t include the reversing loop or the DCC engine was bought on ebay and was never tested on DC before decoder installation or there is both DC and DCC hooked up to the layout.
