What is the desired length of various DCC "runs"?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hi!

I’ve gotten myself a bit confused on the subject and hope you all can help me out…

What is the max suggested length of the run between the controller and the boosters?

What is the max suggested length of the run between the power supply and the boosters?

What is the max suggested length of the run from the boosters to the tracks?

Thanks,

Mobilman44

2

150’ on all counts.

David B

3

  • Max run between Command Station & Booster or between a Throttle and Booster? The DCS100 is a combination Command Station/Booster. Connections between a DCS100 Command Station & a DB150 Booster are the Loconet cables. My remote ‘Booster’(DB100a) is about 30+ feet away from the DCS100 Command Station. Loconet cabling should not exceed 1200’ - per Digitrax documentation.

  • Power Supply and Booster - They should be close. My Digitrax DCS100 uses a PS515 power ‘brick’ and is about 5’ away(guess).

  • The heavy current carried between the Booster and the track will be dependent on the gauge of wiring used for the track bus. I have 25’-45’ runs with #14 wire and have no problems.

Jim Bernier

4

Jim,

To confirm my understanding:

I could have a central “control area” that housed a DCS100 command station/booster, and three additional DB150 boosters, and a PS2012 power supply set up in say a 2x3 foot area. The two DT400 controllers would be a run of 3 and 10 feet respectively from UP5 to the command station. And, the max “booster to track” run would be 20 feet (using #14 wire, with short track connections of #20).

This would end up giving me 4 power districts, two controllers, and one power supply to handle the whole set-up. Does this sound OK, or am I missing a big boat here???

Thank you,

Mobilman44

5

This is similar to how I do mine. I have three boosters located within 10’ of each other, each powered by their own MF615 power supply. The bus runs from the protection devices to the track is no more than 25’ . My Loconet bus is much longer and connects to UP panels around the network and over to a computer 30’ away with Decoder Pro.

6

Depends on the gauge wire, and max amps going through that wire.

12 gauge should easily handle your DCC needs for 200 feet or more with minimal voltage drop. But 12 gauge isn’t cheap.

Between the controllers and boosters is based off the manufacturer recommendations.