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Post by oldmuley on Apr 16, 2022 17:17:38 GMT -8
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Post by Gino Damen on Apr 17, 2022 12:34:43 GMT -8
Depends,
The recommended power supply is rated 15V / 6A when the DCS240 is used in 5A mode.
You always need to make sure that the power supply can deliver atleast the power a booster / command station can handle. But you also need a bit more. This has two reasons.
1) The internal logic also needs power to work
2) Most power supplies power output collapse when you try to load them to the max.
That is the reason it is recommended to get a power supply that runs at 80% when the device it powers is at 100%.
Also be warned that short detection within the booster won't work properly when the power supply collapses first. That can cause all kind of problems which can lead to tailers in equipment and even fire hazard. 5A / 15V is enough power to desolder items (I have see it happen).
Now to your power supply. These are designed to handle the max load without the voltage collaping. In the case of the linked item that is 5A at 30V. You only need 15V so it can deliver that 5A continuously without breaking a sweat. It is only running at 50% of it's thermal capacity. But if the controller is correctly build it shouldn't deliver more then 5A.
Because the power supply won't collapse (it just keeps pushing 5A at 15V) you can test if the DCS24 correctly shuts down when shorted. If not, you should think very carefully about this combination.
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Post by Gino Damen on Apr 17, 2022 12:42:33 GMT -8
You can see me perform a load test of a Tams B4 booster.
This booster is set at 14V / 3A and is powered with a 52VA transformer (18VAC). Because there is an AC/DC conversion the transformer can deliver the power because the booster needs roughly 42VA and the transformer delivers 52 VA.
The booster is overloaded and continues to work correctly by shutting down 6 times and eventually coming back in the end.
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Post by oldmuley on Apr 18, 2022 18:18:13 GMT -8
I hadn’t given a thought to the short circuit protection on the booster. I certainly don’t want to risk burning up my booster, my engines, or my house. Last night I gave it a try though and it seemed to work fine with one engine on the layout. Of course after thinking about it, I think there are too many potential problems. The VDC can be set to anything from 0 to 30, but it can’t be locked.
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Post by Gino Damen on Apr 19, 2022 12:32:10 GMT -8
Yes, that is indeed a problem. But with a piece of tape that can be solved.
The short has to be tested with a coin and even beter a couple of car bulbs. With those you can add a basic load (the power supply should tell you how much is drawn) untill the booster and not the power supply cuts out. That should be repeatable at least 5 or 6 times with each time the consistent result that the booster part of the DCS240 pulls the trigger and not the power supply.
Unfortunaly you can't set the max amperage your self. It is based on the way the power is applied. Barrel connector is 5A and screw terminal is 8A. |
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wsor
Full Member
The Route of the Ruptured Duck
Posts: 131
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Post by wsor on Apr 19, 2022 16:43:07 GMT -8
Or just use your existing DCS100 as a booster for the DCS240 until the proper power supply can be obtained.
Might be better practice to not actually use the command station for track power, and let the boosters take the abuse. Could use the output of the command station for powering switches and whatnot.
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Post by Gino Damen on Apr 20, 2022 13:00:29 GMT -8
That solves the problem partially.
Even if the DCS240 is only used for power accessories you want that the booster shuts down correctly on shorts. Because also accessories can fail and cause a short.
So as long the power supply isn't properly dimensioned the usage of the booster of the DCS240 should be avoided.
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Post by oldmuley on Apr 22, 2022 16:46:26 GMT -8
I picked up a recommended power supply for my DCS240. In the end I didn't really want to mess around with anything non-standard.
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