Powerhouse Pro DCC Controller

[Compbck]

I am in the middle of making the move from 00 gauge to 0 and have received a great deal of solid advice from other forum members on a variety issues to make my move just that little bit smoother. However, I now need to consider an appropriate DCC controller for use with the new scale.

 

Currently, I have a Heljan Class 35 Hymek being professionally upgraded to sound by Wickness Models Ltd, and have a Lionheart Pannier with sound on order. I anticipate that my quest to produce a layout loosely based around the BR Western Region in the late 1950's to early 1960's, and will comprise of additional and similar locomotives as the layout grows and develops.

 

I have spent quite a lot time researching the various DCC Controllers recommended for 0 Gauge, and it appears to a bit of mine field when considering the amount of amps required for a given number of locomotives, and also the variety of controllers to choose from.

 

I have been looking closely at the Powerhouse Pro 10A Controller (Digitrains) which provides 10 amps of power, and from what I have been told the Heljans do like a bit of juice, and if future locomotives include other Heljans 10 amps is a good place to start.

 

At this stage of the game, I would rather spend on a decent controller now and anticipate growth for the future, but would certainly appreciate any further advice on my choice of controller before I actually make a purchase.

[Oldddudders]

I am in the middle of making the move from 00 gauge to 0 and have received a great deal of solid advice from other forum members on a variety issues to make my move just that little bit smoother. However, I now need to consider an appropriate DCC controller for use with the new scale.

 

Currently, I have a Heljan Class 35 Hymek being professionally upgraded to sound by Wickness Models Ltd, and have a Lionheart Pannier with sound on order. I anticipate that my quest to produce a layout loosely based around the BR Western Region in the late 1950's to early 1960's, and will comprise of additional and similar locomotives as the layout grows and develops.

 

I have spent quite a lot time researching the various DCC Controllers recommended for 0 Gauge, and it appears to a bit of mine field when considering the amount of amps required for a given number of locomotives, and also the variety of controllers to choose from.

 

I have been looking closely at the Powerhouse Pro 10A Controller (Digitrains) which provides 10 amps of power, and from what I have been told the Heljans do like a bit of juice, and if future locomotives include other Heljans 10 amps is a good place to start.

 

At this stage of the game, I would rather spend on a decent controller now and anticipate growth for the future, but would certainly appreciate any further advice on my choice of controller before I actually make a purchase.

Your field of choice may be wider than you anticipate, since the governing factor in deciding how much power is available at the rails comes not from the clever digital command station, but the booster supplying power to the track. On purchase these are typically in the same box, but adding boosters to a modestly-powered system gets you where you want to be. Thus the decision is more about finding a system that suits the way you think you'd like to control trains - nobs, push buttons, sliders etc,  and whether you want walkaround or fixed facilities, radio or wired, minimalist displays or the Starship Enterprise - than the headline power available.

 

If at all possible, get to a pukka DCC specialist, or at least contact one, and get their take. You aren't the first with this sort of dilemma, and they are bound to have some good ideas.

[Crosland]

Multiple smaller boosters are a far better idea than a single 10A monster.

 

With a single high current booster you either suffer the whole layout shutting down if theres a fault, or the extra expense of circuit breakers or current limiters to create power districts to allow the isolation of faults. Wiring practices become even more critical when you have such large operating currents, let alone the fault current from such a beast.

 

With smaller boosters you dont require the extra breakers and only the tracks fed by one booster will shutdown.

 

Andrew

[Phil S]

'Toy' regulations limit the output of many controllers/ boosters - which is why you will find 5A max boosters readily available, but not  higher outputs, as readily ... and therefore at disproportionally higher cost. As has been mentioned, 2 x 5A boosters, powering half the layout each has many advantages - although this is also down to layout design: and either means locos regularly crossing from one power district to another (exactly what boosters are designed for), or as '2 independant loops' run from a common dcc source - with full interoperability should the need arise. The only real complicaton might be if an auto-reverser section was also used ! .... in which case I would advocate the newer type of 'auto-reverser' which includes some degree of analogue compatibility, and makes use of short 'pre-sensing sections' to toggle the polarity just ahead of the loco entering the section.. thus avoiding the 'momentary short' which triggers 'traditional' auto-reversers ... and which is potentially more severe with a 10A supply than a 5A max supply.

 

Have you asked Heljan what current their 0 gauge motors take?  In G-Scale, even our larger LGB locos rarely reach 2A ... although you will find any gradients you have will have a noticeable affect on peak current (and perhaps length of train, too). I must conceed that I do have a 10A 22V dc (Crest) SMPS supply which in turn feeds a Massoth Dmax 800 (Max 8A - selectable limit). The Massoth 1200 goes up to 12A .. but regulaton changes means the version with a built in power supply is no longer available.

[Compbck]

Thanks for your comments Phil, although most of the technical jargon has completely passed me by.

 

As a computer techniciain I do my utmost to keep things simple for my clients, and I was rather hoping the same would be in respect of 0 gauge modelling, but I am finding it to the contrary.

 

Initially, as a new comer to 0 gauge I want to get a small test layout off the ground as soon as possible, and hope to visit the 0 Gauge Exhibition in Telford later this year to get as much information from more experienced exhibitors as possible about building and running systems in the larger scale.