RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Mixing RP/NCE power supplies
ON28:
Hello all. Can I use my RP power supply and NCE base station/booster in tandem to power my layout? Are there an issues dividing the layout into two separate blocks/districts and running trains between them? I have about 250 feet of mainline on two decks including 50 feet of track in my helix. I plan a reverse loop on each deck controlled by auto reverse modules, but only for break-in and display running. Thanks!
Alan:
Is the NCE booster powered by the RP power supply or by a separate NCE power supply?
If the former then most likely yes. You may encounter misaligned breaker trip points between RP and NCE devices so shutdowns will be a bit more pesky to troubleshoot. You will also be roughly 1 volt higher on the NCE equipment but that shouldn't be an issue.
If the latter then not without jumping through a lot of hoops with your track wiring specifically the RP/NCE boundaries. It is never a good idea to couple together mismatched power supplies but it can usually be made to work. Usually.
Obviously, either situation will void all manufacturer warranties and the latter may raise safety issues if poorly executed.
G8B4Life:
No, unless I'm reading your question wrong which I don't think I am.
Even if the LM could handle it (which we don't know how it'd react) all the wheels on each side are connected together (presuming typical diesel model) so you'd be introducing a direct short through the models pickups when the locomotive crosses the DC - DCC boundary; the same as if you had two DC sections and had the polarity reversed between them or if you had two DCC sections and they were not in the same phase.
I should draw a picture to illustrate this.
- Tim
Alan:
--- Quote from: G8B4Life on July 26, 2019, 11:02:34 AM ---Even if the LM could handle it (which we don't know how it'd react) all the wheels on each side are connected together (presuming typical diesel model) so you'd be introducing a direct short through the models pickups when the locomotive crosses the DC - DCC boundary; the same as if you had two DC sections and had the polarity reversed between them or if you had two DCC sections and they were not in the same phase.
--- End quote ---
That's what I mean when I say jumping through hoops with track wiring. There would have to be a "transition" track with the necessary detection and switching apparatus between the RP/NCE boundaries.
Seems pointless since only RP units could cross the boundaries. DCC units aren't going to work on the RP side.
ON28:
--- Quote from: Alan on July 26, 2019, 12:37:16 PM ---
--- Quote from: G8B4Life on July 26, 2019, 11:02:34 AM ---Even if the LM could handle it (which we don't know how it'd react) all the wheels on each side are connected together (presuming typical diesel model) so you'd be introducing a direct short through the models pickups when the locomotive crosses the DC - DCC boundary; the same as if you had two DC sections and had the polarity reversed between them or if you had two DCC sections and they were not in the same phase.
--- End quote ---
That's what I mean when I say jumping through hoops with track wiring. There would have to be a "transition" track with the necessary detection and switching apparatus between the RP/NCE boundaries.
Seems pointless since only RP units could cross the boundaries. DCC units aren't going to work on the RP side.
--- End quote ---
So, DCC locos won't work on RP track power? Isn't it just constant voltage?
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