[:D]Hi my fellow "Trains fans, I have two questions[?]for you,the first on is this,I’m running my layout on DCC and it has expanded to a good size, i need to divide it up into power districts but is there a way to do it with just insulated railjoiners and wiring (or)do I have to invset in a power booster, I’m using the Digitrax Zepher,[xx(]I’m at a loss on this, Anyway, my 2nd question is this my layout is a walk in shelf style and I run moderen eqiupment ie sd40mac’s dash 8’s double stack cars, which radius is best to use (WITH OUT) having any derailments [:(]
Thanks for the help my modelrailroading friends[8D]
TrainsRMe
If you’re running DCC then a power booster is probably the way to go to avoid problems.
If you like modern equipment plan on having curves of at least 24", with easements, and larger radii if you can possibly handle it. Super-long equipment and super-short radii just don’t mix!
I would only add ,that seperate boosters are a added extra ,but not a requirement…Know matter the size ,good track work power feeders at least every ten feet on larger layouts ,soldered joiners at every connection, rail joiners are not realible electrical connections take the extra time and solder them you will be glad you did in the end. If you take a look at the link below I run this layout on a single Lenz set 100,there are 6 districts all with there own throttle bus and no extra boosters, 5 ampes will go along way as long as you have good connection at the joints. As far as radius in my opinion at least 24 in radius or larger if you have the space ,I have never heard of not being able to run something because the ruling radius on the layout was to big,although go below 24" and try to run some of those big gaints and see what might happen.BTW you may want to include some excursion service steam power some day and with all the big rigid frame engines available you will be glad for the larger radius.Good luck ,and keep us posted on your progress. Terry
Your Digitrax Zephyr has a 2.5 amp output. It is a good idea get a booster. If not, you can use a Digitrax PS42 - this will allow you to split the output from your Zephyr into 4 seperate ‘power districts’. *I have a ‘Chief’ system(DCS100), and a booster(DB100). I have a PS42 that splits the DCS100 & DB100 into 4 power districts(2 for each unit). This works great when an operator runs through a switch and causes a short. The rest of the railroad does not shut down.
That said, a ‘poor mans’ power district can be created by using auto turn signal bulbs in series with each block or district to be protected. Check out the following web site for details:
Jim Bernier
Some WWW sites recommend using automotive bulbs as a way to limit the current of higher-powered boosters. Do NOT do this! All this will achieve is to further thwart the circuit breaker protection built into the booster. And believe me, the three amps these bulbs can pass is enough to melt HO- and N-scale locos.
Some WWW sites recommend using automotive bulbs as a way to keep even smaller boosters from cutting power off during a short circuit. In other words, they are purposely thwarting the boosters short-circuit protection so the rest of their layout won’t stop due to a derailment. Again, do NOT do this! If you want to protect the rest of the layout, use Digitrax’s PM42s - that’s what they’re made for . This is from Loys Toys although I do not use digitrax products I trust there advise more so than anyone else. concerning DCC and digitrax…You may need some extra short circut protection but for a single operated layout a booster is not an absolute requirement to handle the running of one or two trains,being that it is N scale,2.5 amps should handle your layout you said that the train slows down in one spot ,after passing that spot does it again regain power if so I would check the rail joiners for contact. before spending any extra money on anything as far power is concerned. Taking the time to do your wiring and track work such as soldering joints and power feeders regularly [ on my own layout no more than three feet without a feeder] isolating turnouts and blocks where polarity needs to be switched will pay off in years of trouble free operation.where the continuity of power distrubition thruout your layout is concerned. I would only warn you as to doing any wiring that would allow the short circut protection of your equipment to be defeated, with the price of todays locos and dcc control equipment I would want to make sure that if there is a short that the booster or command station shuts down as fast as possible. You may get away with using the bulbs as mentioned earlier but it only takes on