I hope I’m not opening an old topic-I searched some of the back posts, but not all, and didn’t find what I was looking for. And if I have missed something, I seriously apologize to everyone.
I’ve just purchased a Zephyr, which I hope will eventually power my HO system. It comes with a power supply of 2.5 amps. If I needed more amperage, could I use the PS515, which is rated at 5 amps? The Zephyr’s command station is rated at 2.5 amps. Does this mean that this is an incompatibility? If you could use the PS515, would it be used in place of the original supply unit and set up in the same manner? If none of this can be done, what would a PS515 be used for?
Thanks to anyone who might be able to help out.
Bud
Nope, the Zephyr’s output can only drive 2.5 amps. Feeding it with a 5 amp transformer won’t change that. Nor would it hurt anything.
The PS515 is designed to be the power source for the 5-amp boosters like the DB100a, DB150, and DCS100.
If you need more than 2.5 amps of power, you would buy an additional booster and a PS515 to power it, and connect to the Zephyr using the Loconet ports. If you never intend to run more than 10 trains, and just need more power, than the DB150 will work fine, or even pick up a DB100a somewhere. The DCS100 is a LOT more expensive because it is also the Super Chief command station and has a lot more features, most of which are already part of the Zephyr.
–Randy
Let me see if I am understanding you. I am planning to get a Zephyr for my track. I only plan to run 4-6 small trains max and plan to use my Tech II 1400 for AC and an additional throttle.
If I am hearing you correctly, this set-up should be sufficient for my needs–although I might need a booster if I use reverse loops (Read that at Tony’s) I hope this is adding not hijacking a thread.
It really depends on what those 4-6 trains are. If the combined power draw is 2.5 amps or less, sure. But you talked about putting sound in them, which is goign to increase the load, if you have them all running at the same time. I’d say you will be on the border with what locos you mentioned you already have, plus sound, all running with a Zephyr at the same time.
If you do NOT need the extra power of another booster, then for reverse loops all you really need is an MRC autoreverser, or a Digitrax AR-1, or a Tony’s PS-REV. There is no need for the expense of an additional booster JUST for auto-reversing.
–Randy
I can’t see running more than 3 trains simultaneously:
A Hogwarts Express pulling two 70’ passenger cars
A IHC 4-4-0 pulling 3 34’ overtons and a baggage car
A MDC pulling freight–maybe 8-10 30’ or less cars
All with sound.
I also plan a 0-6-0 yard goat in the future, but haven’t decided on sound. However runs this won’t be running their own train. I said 4-6 on the off chance I have a guest or two.
All the Diesels will live at the club.
I haven’t decided yet, but if I go with reverse loops, there will be 4 of them.
rrinker,
Thanks so much for your response. I’m quite new at this and have been offered to view, and maybe even join in, an operating session Wednesday-a first for this old boy! I’ve been an “armchair” for too many years and am ready to jump in. This has to be the best place to get some great info from so many knowledgeable people. I am truly amazed at some of the exchanges people have with each other.
SpaceMouse,
You are not hijacking anything. I plan on having a turntable on my pike and have also read something about reverse loops on Tony’s and any kind of info that comes along is more than greatly appreciated.
Bud
I’m sort of in the same boat, although my degree and background is in electronics so I understand all this DCC stuff with no problem. I have a couple of open invites to operating sessions but so far I have held off - mainly out of fear of screwing up. Not wrecking equipment - just takign the cars to the wrong place, screwing up the paperwork, etc. I know most people are pretty good natured about things lilke this and they’d all KNOW I was a first-timer, but, well, I’m just goofy about things sometime. Part of the reason I am no longer a member of the club I used to belong to is that no one ever wanted to operate. Had we been able to get real operating sessions going there, by now I would be an old hand at this. So I’m sort of waiting til I have enough of my own layout built to truly operate it, and then practice for a while before taking up any of the invitiations to go run someone else’s layout.
Now, if someone wants to come over and do my scenery… [:D]. If I keep hanging out at the LHS I will undoubtedly meet more guys liket he one the other week, who jumped in to a major DCC purchase and isn’t sure how to hook it all up. I’ll bet he’s really good at scenery. I’ll have to arrange some trades.
–Randy
Randy,
Went to my first session-it was overwhelming to say the least. I told everyone that I would be back. They were a great bunch of guys. I was even given a throttle for a little while. If you get invited again, I would suggest you go. I am greatly impressed with what I saw.
Bud