For this: http://www.digitrax.com/prd_rec_ur90.php , do I have to buy a PS12 power supply or can I use the power from a DCS50?
i have used the UR91 using just the power supplied by the loconet cable. it may depend on volts, loads, distance as to whether this is a good idea or not, but on my 8x4 it worked ok.
If you want it to work properly and reliably, use the PS12. The UR90 and UR91 really draw too much power from the Loconet to work reliably - if you never plug anything else in, and it’s only a short connection to the Zephyr it might work fine, unless you plug in another throttle, which would likely load the Loconet down too much and result in erratic operation.
–Randy
Would it freak out if I plug 1 DT400 throttle into the UR90?
What? That is what it is designed for.
For a power supply, you might fry it with at 2.5 power supply (DCS50). Spend 10 bucks and get the power supply that the 90 was designed to use.
Also note that using any power supply other than the prescibed one will void your warranty.
David B
David, you seem to be right, so I’ll buy the PS12 when I get the UR90.
This begs-the-question, “Why does the power supply not come as standard with the UR90/91 if it is needed?”.
One PS12 can power a number of the Digitrax panels. So if you have more than 1 wireless panel and or additional UP5 plug in panels then you don’t need a PS12 for each of them, you can daisy chain the power around the layout.
My Zephyr powered layout has 3 UP5’s and a UR90 all powered from a single PS12. A single wire powers them all. The instructions that come with any of the panels show where to do this.
UR91 Radio receiver comes with a PS12 power supply. Contrary to the wording in the Digitrax instructions, it should be powered by that PS12 exclusively. UR91’s are drawing some power all the time to keep the radio on.
UR90 does not come with an included power supply. For best operation, it should be powered by a PS12.
Chaining additional UP5 throttle panels via the +common connection can also be done. Whether or not operations will suffer really depends on how many throttles are plugged into the UP5’s. UP5’s and UR90’s draw little or no power when just sitting there.
Martin Myers
My club has experimented with both the UR90 and the UR91. We daisy chained all of our UP5 panels and added the UR90 to it and it worked fine. The UR91 very clearly states that it needs its own power supply.
Now Power via a wall wart is not a problem.
What about the rear rail a and rail B screws, I wonder if I can wire them into the track bus wires rail a and B to gain a lighted indication for that area?
Yes, that’s what it’s for.
–Randy