Ok, I have the need for (5) power districts on my layout. (HO). Using Digitrax I was going to purchase (5) 5 amp units. Question wher do I get them? Are they nothing but a 12V dc fixed output transformer? If so I can use anyone. I am using an MRC transformer to run one loop for my “OLD” AHM, Varney and Bowser loco’s on staright DC the balance will be DCC.
You cant just use any old transformer. Look at www.digitrax. com to find what you need. Then try www.loystoys.com or some other discount dealer to get them at a good price.
No no no! (ok, I SWEAR when I started my reply there was another post in there that said just get any old transformers. I know it’s late but I’m not THAT tired, am I?)
What you are talking about is putting a seperate booster in each power district. A DCC booster is NOT just a fixed transformer.
But do you really NEED 25 amps of power on your entire layout? It depends on how big your layout is, and how many operators you plan to have. I’m going to guess that this is NOT really what you want to do. You do not need a seperate booster for each power district. You can use electronic circuit breakers such as the PM42 or even better, Tony’s Power Shields. The circuit breakers are set to trip at a lower current - about 3 amps is default but you can adjust as required. The booster connects to the various breakers, and the breakers connect to the track in each power district. Same thing with reverse loops - Tony’s PS-REV is an auto-reverser and breaker in one. You do NOT need extra boosters unless you have so many trains running that you need more power. Even then - for 5 districts you probably don’t need 5 boosters, maybe two, plus the breakers.
See the article in the March MR about this - although the author went a bit overboard and added all sorts of external switches and LEDs to the Tony’s Powershield. ANd I believe the diagrom showing how the one switch is wired is wrong, I recall noticing something didn’t match up witht he instructions for the Powershield.
–Randy
Thanks Randy. There are 3 heavy users I am gussing, Engine Terminal, Main yard and Harbor area. MAx Engines moving at one time with 4 operators is 5. One running on a visual loop and 4 operated. The Engine Termianl will have 21 units with a cutoff to each track so as not to fry the lights or older engines. I am usinng the power for: Signals, Turnouts (67) Building lighting effects, saw mill effects plus about 8 or 10 other animated features including cars on a “dirt Road”. May take 5 years but if I live long enough I will finish it.
It sounds like you need power for two different things, then: DCC for control of the locomotives, and DC power for animation and lighting effects, as well as turnouts.