[img].[/img] Hi on the image above you can see what I plan to build I will not have any booster at the start just a Digitrax DCS 52 ZEPHYR EXPRESS 3AMP COMMAND STATION controller, my power districts will be as coloured with insulating joiners as marked in bright red.
Mye questions are please, am I doing it right and are the insulated fishplates in the correct place?
Given that I am not using a booster yet do I need a circuit breaker of some sort if ideas please
would it be advisable to wire through a Digitrax PM42 POWER MANAGER/REVERSER from the start
Thanks In advance
Mark
Digitrax and power districts
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Re: Digitrax and power districts
Hi Mark,
You are unlikely to need a booster on a layout of this size, the Zephyr express has more than enough power.
And the Zephyr has overload protection so you don't need a circuit breaker.
Also you have no reversing sections so you don't need a reverser either.
What are you aiming to achieve with power districts?
You are unlikely to need a booster on a layout of this size, the Zephyr express has more than enough power.
And the Zephyr has overload protection so you don't need a circuit breaker.
Also you have no reversing sections so you don't need a reverser either.
What are you aiming to achieve with power districts?
Regards
Rob
Rob
Re: Digitrax and power districts
Hi mostly just because I have read that this is the way to go , but it would be nice to have each track on its own power so if there is a fault i9t would be easer to find and I am hoping to use JMRI no other reason really
Re: Digitrax and power districts
A cheaper and simpler method of fault finding is by having switches feeding isolated sections in one rail. If it isn't obvious what has caused the DCC system to trip, then all sections are switched off, the DCC system is reset, and the sections switched in sequentially. When the DCC system trips, it's the section just switched in where the fault lies.Mark19 wrote:... it would be nice to have each track on its own power so if there is a fault it would be easier to find
In my opinion a track circuit over 13m / 40 feet long is where the extra wiring installation work involved starts to pay off, anything smaller you can likely see immediately - or otherwise quickly find by hearing the 'buzz' when a reset is attempted - where the problem location is.
Far more significant in my experience is ensuring that none of your locos and stock can create momentary short circuits while running, sufficient to trip the DCC system, but which are then not present when the DCC system is reset. And there you are with tens of locos and hundreds of vehicles: not a clue to which one did it and where. (Watching the operation in the dark can help with finding the location, if the short location is visible.)
Better by far though is potential problem elimination at source: rewire any loco with a chassis live to rail to fully isolated chassis block, modify for more clearance locations where wheels can potentially contact metal bodywork or moving parts, make all pointwork switched live crossing.
Re: Digitrax and power districts
Assuming all points are Insulated frog type then no IRJs are need on DCC.
Given the layout size, no Booster is need, just use the main DCC system
Ensure all rails are connected to the correct DCC power supply. i.e. All Outer rails are to one connection and all Inner rails to the other.
Splitting DCC power distribution on such a small layout (8ft x 4ft) is really not necessary IMO!
Given the layout size, no Booster is need, just use the main DCC system
Ensure all rails are connected to the correct DCC power supply. i.e. All Outer rails are to one connection and all Inner rails to the other.
Splitting DCC power distribution on such a small layout (8ft x 4ft) is really not necessary IMO!
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Broken? It was working correctly when I left it.
Broken? It was working correctly when I left it.
Re: Digitrax and power districts
sorry for the delay in replying I would like to thank you for your great advice