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Connecting DCC controller to 3 baseboards


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I have 3 baseboards each is connected to the control panel by a 25 pin cable, this handles, signals, turnouts, lighting etc.

I have an idea! Could I connect the DCC controller (Prodigy Express) and distribute the power yo each baseboard through the 25 pin cables?

Or will passing it through 1 metre long cables degradation the signal?

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The signal won’t degrade but you will almost certainly suffer a significant voltage drop across the connection and if all the locomotives are at the far end of the layout from the controller they might not work due to voltage drop, or damage the connectors which are not designed to carry tyat much current.

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Depends on how many pins in the 25D connectors you're using for the DCC power to a degree, from memory turned pin D types are around 2A per pin max. So should be OK if you use say 3-4 pins for each DCC wire. Sone D type pins are rated lower, so it would be useful to establish what you've got if possible.

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Depends on the quality of the D-connector.  Some are really low rating.  Some are 4 or 5 Amp.    Look for solid or turned pins, rather than pressed pins (proper electronics suppliers like RS, Farnell/CPC, etc.. have specification sheets so this can be checked).   

 

In practise, I think you'll be fine.    Burntisland-1883 uses D-connectors to distribute power around the layout.  I don't know how many are involved, but longest run from command station might be ten of them.  

 

- Nigel

Edited by Nigelcliffe
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Double check with the data sheet - many are rated at 3A or more per pin. Voltage also shouldn't be an issue with most rated for over 100V.

 

I doubt you'll have any problems. Worst case (far end of the layout with multiple locos and several trains with track powered lighting) you may need to use a second pair of conductors.

 

Steven B

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Also how fat is the wire in the 25-way cable?

 

You can solder 16/02 wire quite easily in to a 25-way 'D' connector and a couple of these should suffice to carry the DCC a short distance, but 25-way cable is only likely to have 7/02 wires in it at best (and most are thinner than this) so you will really need four per bus wire if the 25-way cables are any length.

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I also use 25-way connectors for points and signal control to three boards, but decided to connect the DCC bus via a separate mono jack plugs and sockets. This was partly to ensure no voltage drop but also partly to keep the DCC cabling separate, as far as possible, from everything else to prevent interference. Seems to work ok.

 

StationWiring6.jpg.f62439e444bf40f77e0a6

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