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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

First off, I will admit that electrical engineering is not this civil engineer's area of expertise. I thought that N power packs were for N scale, HO packs for HO layouts, you get the idea. Now I have test run my On30 purchases with both a N pack and a HO pack; I got better control with the N unit. But now I have seen a Bachmann transformer for G, HO and N scales! How can this be? I know Bachmann isn't a great power unit and I use MRCs. So what ratings do I look for in a power pack to run a G engine? I always thought heat would be an issue --- some thing would burn up and that would be it! Help me understand these things. And remember, I still don't understand how one can run 2 identical engines --- one forward facing and one reverse facing at the same time. Thanks for the help, Lee in Tucson
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Chuck, Here is another thought that wasn't quite clear in your question. Do you have at least two power districts? You have to have a separate power district or section for each booster. This requires that you have insulated rail joiners in the track between the two sections of track that make up a power district. To make myself more clear, think of having two separate circles of track, one powered by each booster. The throttle is connected to both boosters though. So, your original power source powers one section and the new Zephyr powers the other. I hope this is clear. If you have only one power section the two boosters are probably trying to fight each other for control and that is why you are getting the erratic engine performance. B-)
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Pete. With one power district are you saying that I can hook up my Zepher and booster to the same district without hurting the Zepher? If that is true then that may be my problem. I have disabled the command functions of the booster by jumpers on the booster. I think. Only going by what I was told by the store I got it from. I have not tried to run any trains, but will try now. Thanks for all the advice and will keep you updated. Chuck 🙂
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Chuck here is a link to the DB150 page that tells you how yo use it as a booster and set it up. http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/Empire%20Builder%20DT100IR.pdf Still trying to make this simple for you, it seems that you would best benefit from having two power districts on the layout to make maximum use of the two power supplies, like having two blocks in DC. Your Zepher would power one block and the DB150 would power the other. Control of both blocks is accomplished from the one throttle through the LocoNet connections. As I see it, what your concern is, is that the engines are drawing too much power for the one unit. That is taken care of by dividing the power requirements into power districts or blocks. All it take is to gap both rails, like you used to do to create the signal districts. Adding the DB150 in line with the Zepher will not get you more power by adding the two together. Going back to a DC mentality for a minute, think about how you had to have a transformer for each loco and blocks. You never had two transformers connected to the same block except by all that complicated wiring and toggle switches. Now think of the boosters as a power pack that controls a block or power district, not an individual loco. The control of each loco within any block is done with the command station signals that are transmitted to both boosters at the same time. Go back through some of the old postings here and you will find a lot of info that pertains to this present discussion too. Let me know if any of this helps and try the Digitrax web site yourself foe Q&As. www.digitrax.com B-)
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Called Diditrax yesterday and they say they have never heard of this problem. Still no answers. Chuck
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Didgitrax actually called me back and told me to do more voltage checks(all normal) when programed to 00. Put a different address in which caues a load and the DB 150 does not come up to specs. 8 volts DC max when running an engine. They told me to try another and see what happens. Chuck.
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Chuck, Maybe you have a defective booster. B-)
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Here is an update on my DB 150 booster. Has been sent back 3 times still does not work right. Got hold of a rep for Diditrax and he says he will replace it for me. It now has been sent back 4 times and now waiting for a new one. Diditrax only tested it under no load conditions and that is why they keep sending it back to me. For some reason they do not have the capability to test it whit a load, meaning any address other than 00. I have tried to explain that to then but for some reason they don't listen. Will let you know what happens when and if I get my new one. Chuck:-(
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Hi all. Got in again. Finaly got my new booster and this one works fine. Chuck
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Hooray for modern science. In this case a new booster. Glad you are up and running again Chuck. Is that sort of like upchuck.......]:) I know, 2/3 of a pun....PU.... B-)
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

I need to know if anybody uses reverse loops in DCC. My new booster has reversing capabilities so I built a reverse loop for my freight yard. Problem is when the engine goes across the isolated part of the track fast it works fine. But if I am using slow or crawl speeds it shorts out and stops. IE: front set of wheels on one side of the block and the back set on the other side. Is this a characteristic of reverse loops or am I doing something wrong? Thanks for any help. Chuck ?:|
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Chuck, Before you totally destroy any locos, please go to www.tonystrains.com and get a "Power Shield" PSREV unit. It's an automatic reversing unit. Hands off. Does it all for you and you still have total control of the loco from the command module or hand-held. Takes the place of the old double-pole double-throw toggle switch in DC. I have one on my reverse loop and it works great! No more shorts etc. It's easy to install too. This will solve your problem 100% B-) -- Edited by ginzokid at 09/17/2007 3:41 PM
Message 56 of 70
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Thanks Pete. Found out the booster does not have reversing as I thought it did. It does have it but not the way I wanted to use it. Chuck 🙂
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

So, Chuck, are you going to invest in the "power shield"? It works very well as I said. B-)
Message 58 of 70
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

Did not buy the power shield but did buy OG-AR made by DCC Specialities for $33.50 which does the same thing. Four wire hookup, two to the loop and two to the power buss. No adjusting or anything. Chuck
Message 59 of 70
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Power Pack Transformers - Need some help

And no more short circuits! Isn't it great! B-)
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