General > General Discussion
10 Amps Into an 8 Amp Booster
G8B4Life:
--- Quote from: TwinStar on December 19, 2020, 09:51:54 AM ---The RailPro equivalent would be 3 PWR-56's for $270 so the DB220 for $166 and the HPR 300-15 for $80 (plus shipping) are very comparable.
--- End quote ---
I'll never get over the huge discounts from MSRP that you can get over there. Such a thing does not happen here.
A better comparison would be 3 PWR-56's for $270 vs 3 boosters and 3 power supplies (that closely match the RP specs) for whatever that would be worth. I think RP would come out ahead. It'd be even better if you could buy the PWR-56 without the included PA-2 power supply so you could choose your own large power supply enough to power several PWR-56's.
- Tim
TwinStar:
--- Quote from: Alan on December 19, 2020, 11:24:34 AM ---There is conflicting information on the Digitrax site.
This document specifies 13.8v minimum on Pg7: https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/products/command-stations-boosters/db220/documents/DB210%2BDB220_rev0.pdf
--- Quote ---3.0Powering your DB210/DB220The DB210 is for use with DC POWER input ONLY, MAXIMUM INPUT 8 AMPS, 24VDC, DO NOT Exceed 25VDC maximum Input. Minimum Input 13.8VDC.
...
It is recommended that when selecting a DC power supply the voltage should slightly exceed the scale track voltage you plan to run by about approximately 1 to 2V DC, and should provide sufficient current to support the chosen 3/5/8 Amp limit setting. The DC input voltage should not exceed track scale voltage by more than 3V.
--- End quote ---
However, 15v is minimum recommended on Pg1 of this document: https://www.digitrax.com/media/apps/products/command-stations-boosters/db220/documents/Spec%20Sheet%20DB220.pdf
To further complicate the picture, a variety of voltages are shown at the bottom of this webpage: https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB1017/loconet-accessory-power-requirements/
--- Quote ---PS2012e
The PS2012 provides the following dc voltage and current outputs depending on the Output Voltage Selector switch.
G setting provides 23V @ 12amps
HO setting provides 18V @ 15amps
N setting provides 13.8v @ 20amps
There are two sets of Output Connections. These outputs are electrically the same. The outputs need to be properly fused. The “Y” cable included with the PS2012 has self-resetting 5amp current limiters. If the PS2012 is used with the DCS200 or DB200 an 8amp fuse, circuit breaker or current limiter must be used. If “Y” cable is used with the DCS200 or DB200 only 5 amps of power will be available, defeating the purpose of using an 8 amp. Booster.
PS514
The PS514 is a 70watt Universal AC Power Supply. This power supply offers many different voltage outputs. Set the voltage selector as follows:
G / O Scale – 20v
HO Scale – 16.8v
N Scale – 13.8 or 15v
Use the Blue electrical tip with the pigtail that is included with the Super Chief Xtra and Super Empire Builder Xtra Starter sets. This power supply has been retired.
PS615
The PS615 is a 15 volt DC, 6A power supply. It is included in the Evolution Starter set and is also sold separately. It is for use with all current Command Stations operating at 5 amps.
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Geez, as if DCC was complicated enough!
Like Tim says, there is a voltage adjust pot. All of my supplies, both cheapo and genuine Meanwell, have this feature. The range is the same on all of them +-1.7v even though the documentation states +-1.5v. So your 15v unit is good for 13.3v to 16.7v. If you want to replicate the Digitrax PS2012 unit then you would need an 18v version. Meanwell doesn't offer much at 18v but eBay is chock full of units.
I suspect anything 13.8v and up will work fine because your power supply is rated at 22 amps. If it were lower and closer to the booster's rated amperage then there may be an issue with voltage fluctuation if the power supply is asked to output full amperage. The booster will kick out long before your 22A supply fluctuates. Besides, 16 amps of trains running is a whole lot of trains!
13.8v is a "magic" standard voltage in the 12v powered world. Diodes are used on equipment inputs to protect the unit from people wiring it backwards. There is a small voltage drop across each diode. The next component in line is the internal regulator which also has a small voltage drop across it. Add up the drops and you get ~1.8v. End result - 13.8 yields internally stable 12 volts. The Digitrax N scale recommendation of 13.8v tells us the internal working voltage of the DB is 12v.
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Thanks Alan.
I have a DCS52 as well. I need to see what voltage that power supply is putting out.
TwinStar:
--- Quote from: G8B4Life on December 19, 2020, 09:43:54 PM ---
--- Quote from: TwinStar on December 19, 2020, 09:51:54 AM ---The RailPro equivalent would be 3 PWR-56's for $270 so the DB220 for $166 and the HPR 300-15 for $80 (plus shipping) are very comparable.
--- End quote ---
I'll never get over the huge discounts from MSRP that you can get over there. Such a thing does not happen here.
A better comparison would be 3 PWR-56's for $270 vs 3 boosters and 3 power supplies (that closely match the RP specs) for whatever that would be worth. I think RP would come out ahead. It'd be even better if you could buy the PWR-56 without the included PA-2 power supply so you could choose your own large power supply enough to power several PWR-56's.
- Tim
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Actually, a better comparison would be Digitrax equipment from different suppliers and ignoring the RailPro equipment. Digitrax DCC is required so even if the RailPro equipment were free it wouldn't alter my purchase. I have to have Digitrax DCC, like it or not (and trust me, I don't) and a DB220 is the most cost effective option to power my module set.
G8B4Life:
--- Quote from: TwinStar on December 27, 2020, 08:52:52 PM ---Actually, a better comparison would be Digitrax equipment from different suppliers and ignoring the RailPro equipment.
--- End quote ---
Well I don't know where all that came from but I was comparing the cost of apples to the number of functionally equivalent apples. 3 x PWR-56's = 3 x Boosters and 3 x booster power supplies which is likely a greater cost than 3 x PWR-56's. Your comment is comparing apples to nothing which I don't get the point of.
--- Quote ---Digitrax DCC is required so even if the RailPro equipment were free it wouldn't alter my purchase.
--- End quote ---
I never said anything about not purchasing the DigiTrax equipment. I know what's required for Free-mo, and DCC and how "open" (read propriety) it is is the main driver of why gave up on it. Didn't you also give up on it and start your own RailPro Free-mo standard?
--- Quote ---I have to have Digitrax DCC, like it or not (and trust me, I don't)
--- End quote ---
I don't doubt you dislike it, you've mentioned it many times and I greatly dislike it as well.
--- Quote ---and a DB220 is the most cost effective option to power my module set.
--- End quote ---
I never said it wasn't going to be. I never said not to purchase it in favour of something else. As I said further up I was comparing the cost of RailPro apples to the number of functionally equivalent DCC apples to correct the cost comparison. Nothing more.
- Tim
TwinStar:
--- Quote from: G8B4Life on December 27, 2020, 10:42:21 PM ---
--- Quote ---Digitrax DCC is required so even if the RailPro equipment were free it wouldn't alter my purchase.
--- End quote ---
I never said anything about not purchasing the DigiTrax equipment. I know what's required for Free-mo, and DCC and how "open" (read propriety) it is is the main driver of why gave up on it. Didn't you also give up on it and start your own RailPro Free-mo standard?
- Tim
--- End quote ---
Sorry Tim, I must have misunderstood and apologize for any confusion.
Yes, I was attempting to rewrite the Free-mo manual and lost, big time. I've found it much easier to swim alongside the stream than against it. DCC is here to stay in the Free-mo world for quite some time. Unfortunate but true. I have made some significant inroads on 3D printed tie fixtures and eliminating the bridge rails in favor of butt joints. My caster equipped adjustable height legs also have been well received.
I've purchased a DCS52, the power supply for my DB220, and will soon get the DB220 itself. 90% of the passenger trains that will operate across my module set are DCC equipped so I've decided to be a good neighbor and 'cooperate and graduate'.
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