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atsfguy:
Hello, Mike.
Welcome to the group and you will find the answers to your questions within this group. We have many talented people who share their knowledge freely and there is no such thing as a stupid question. Lord knows I have asked my share of those but someone always come forth with a solution to my problems.
I have been in the group about two years but only bought my equipment a year or so ago. The site host has a hobby shop i. Both the US and Canada and Bill Brillinger offers very good pricing on his goods. His website is pdc.ca. Give his site a look.
I am in north central Ohio and I can relate to no Railpro dealers close by, so ?i order mine from our host.
Railpro is fairly simple but can present a few problems along the way.
To answer the three questions you asked, the PWR-56 is simply two wires, two wires ( the buss) out. Even I could wire this with no problems
The AR-1 reverse module is the same, two in, two out.
I have no experience with the AM-1.
There are several electronics hobbyists on the site who will join in, Alan and Tim.
Hope this helps.
Cecil
faithie999:
mike--from a fellow retired Pharma industry chemical engineer (in Indiana), I would wholeheartedly endorse the RailPro system over DCC. I have used both and RailPro is more straightforward and intuitive. there is lots of chatter on the other forums dissing RailPro, but mostly because they don't understand it and they have a large investment in DCC.
I would suggest you make post asking for advice and helpful tips in getting started in the "RailPro Discussion and Help" section. it's my sense that more people frequent that area of the site. there are very knowledgeable folks here that are all willing to help.
as for acquiring RailPro equipment, my advice is to patronize this site's sponsor, Bill Brillinger, who runs a shop in Canada. his website is pdc.ca. he supplies the full line of RailPro gear, at probably the best prices you'll find, plus free shipping.
a specific recommendation I'd make, that Alan (one of the gurus here) made to me--use DPDT switches to control your Tortoise machines rather than an AM-1. it's a lot easier to throw a switch than using the HC-2 (leave the screen for your loco, go to the AM-1 screen, scroll to the turnout you want to throw, then back to your loco screen). you could always take the hybrid approach if you have a turnout or two that is remote--use an AM-1 for a couple of turnouts and toggle switches for the rest.
another recommendation Alan made was to use a MeanWell 15v 10a power supply instead of a PWR-56. you give up the radio repeater function (not sure if that's an issue unless you have a very large layout), and you save some dough. i bought this one:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mean-Well-LRS-150F-15-150W-15V-10A-Single-Output-Switching-Power-Supply/122310427178?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
it has two sets of 15v outputs which was convenient since I started with 2 power districts. Alan further advised to use the Ring circuit breakers, CB-1. they trip instantaneously, and self-reset a few seconds after the fault is cleared.
Wiring: I had lots of spare 12ga Romex cable, so I stripped out the black and white conductors and used that for my track bus wiring. for the 12v supply for the tortoises, I used 14ga Romex cable, conductors stripped out. that is overkill but it was convenient to run under the table alongside the 12ga.
Alan has a fantastic website. he has documented his layout construction, with lots of pictures. it's worth some time to read through all his info. lkorailroad.com
good luck!
ken
Alan:
Jeez Ken, I feel like I owe you twenty bucks. ;D
Shadowbruf:
Cecil / Ken - thx for your insights and thoughts.
I am not surprised by recommendation to use separate DPDT switches for turnouts. Somehow I felt switching screens while running trains might be cumbersome.
2-wire dc track wiring comment cleared yp a lot !
Thoughts on alternative power were excellent. I checked out Bill's website - clearly has some excellent pricing. Alan's website was like finding a 500# free fudge sundae - surprisingly delicious and it will take while to get thru.
I'll condense my questions for any video to an alternate space.
Thank you - mike
G8B4Life:
mcbunton, your question (and it's replies) on turnout control was moved to it's own topic here: https://rpug.pdc.ca/index.php/topic,1161.0.html.
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