Max Power DCC systems

QUOTE (dwb @ 17 Dec 2007, 18:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I am seriously tempted by some of the forthcoming Accucraft UK outline locos. If I go down that road I would want to it to be DCC. Since these are 24volt motors, I would want to feed them 24v which is well outside what HO/OO systems produce. Is Massoth my only option or are there others which I have overlooked?

David

Hi David,
Currently, my garden LGB is DCC'd using a Lenz LH100 with the track voltage set to either 20 or 22 volts (cannot quite remember exactly which) - when ruinning on analogue I found that most locomotives ran at around 12/14 volts to give a reasonable scale speed.

Hope this helps.

That is indeed interesting. I had been thinking about getting an 8 amp booster for my ECoS specifically for running my one and only LGB loco. The ECoS track output is about 16.7v according to my RRampMeter. Maybe it would be man enough after all. The idea behind the separate booster is to protect the ECoS against "bad" things happening out of doors.

David

Hi David,

If your LGB loco has just the one motor it should be fine with a decent decoder & the 16.7volts. Most of them have nice Buhler motors anyway & draw surprisingly little current in spite of the sheer bulk they move.

Incidently, my LH100 was set for 16volts & operated quite well on the LGB - I only really increased the track voltage to aid pick up.

Give it a go with the ECoS - you could always use a 24volt headlamp bulb in series with the track output for additional protection, but I'm sure the ECoS will have more than adequate protection.

To be quite honest, you should not really have too many "bad" things happening in the garden.

Hi DWB
Most DCC systems have the option to run large scale stuff by adding a booster that outputs the required volts and amps as the command station basically just tells the boosters what to do including the built in one. You just need to make sure you don't then hook it back up to the OO stuff before turning it down again as it can evidently fry chips designed for 12-18 volts. Some systems have an option built into the menus or a manual switch so check your handbook ECOS may already cover it.
They usually recommend the high output systems for larger layouts and Large scale and most LGB locos run at quite realistic speeds on 12 volts anyway.

You've just triggered a thought there Paul! So long as I use an independent booster which the ECoS can talk to, it doesn't need to be an ESU unit. I know that ESU intend the 8 amp booster for larger scales; maybe it will come with the option of a higher volts power supply? A lower volt power supply is how they cater for N and Z, so maybe it's possible?

David