Hello. I'm new on here and new to DCC++. Previously used Bachmann EZ Command but want greater flexibility and ability to control from PC/Android. Currently using Gregg's original code for the base station - Elegoo Mega & Deek Robot shield. What is the recommended power supply for the shield? I only had a 12V 1.5A adaptor to hand last night but just running one loco is really sluggish and when I tried to run 2 they almost stopped. With my current set up (Elegoo Mega & Deek Robot shield), what's the max volts and amps I can supply to the board without frying it? I have dug out an ATX PSU and will modify it accordingly. Thanks in advance. Boglin
For HO you looking at 14 to 18 V. Amp wise you also have go for 2A or more. Amps of the Deek board is probably enough for one or two engines. ( the input voltage DC4.5-25V, *600mA OUTPUT CURRENT CAPABILITY PER CHANNEL). Not sure if the overload is working on this board or not. There are other posts on this forum that looks at what boards will work, which need modifications and which won't work.
an ATX supply is too much .. just a wall wart, around 15 volt, and maybe 2 to 2.5 amp should be sufficient .. two shouldn't stop [or near stop] with a 1.5 amp supply, or is there sound on both ??
Is there an upper voltage limit? I have a laptop power supply I can try which has an output of 19V 2.25A. Looking to run multiple trains. I was planning on using the multiple outputs to power other accessories when I put in an accessory bus, however, it has a max of 12v output so won't be any use for powering the track anyway. No. Both are Bachmann Class 25 Diesels one has lights the other doesn't.
19V is a little high, however you could bring it down a little by passing the 19V PSU output through a couple of silicon diodes, which will reduce the voltage by a total of about 1.2V
note that the diodes that you use should be rated for the power put out by the supply, a minimum of 2.25 amp ..
Thanks. Excuse my ignorance on this one but is it a higher voltage or higher amperage that will allow me to run trains more realistically (ie not crawling at top speed)? If the DR board has a max output of 600mA, even at 18V will this be enough to run more than one H0/00 loco?
Reading through the original documentation I found Gregg indicates 15v-20v supply: https://sites.google.com/site/dccppsite/the-system This being what it is, I tried the 19V supply yesterday and when I turn it on, all 4 LEDs on the motor shield turn on then fade out. Any ideas as to what could be causing this?
The shield I've got is slightly different to the shield listed on Deek science website that has the above spec. The one I've got is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01LVXM0JS/ and has the below spec. I've only noticed now that is has a 5v-12v operating voltage. Would this mean it's not going to work for an H0/00 layout? Product description The Motor Shield is based on the L298 , which is a dual full-bridge driver designed to drive inductive loads such as relays, solenoids, DC and stepping motors. It lets you drive two DC motors with your board, controlling the speed and direction of each one independently. You can also measure the motor current absorption of each motor, among other features. Operating Voltage 5V to 12V Motor controller L298P, Drives 2 DC motors or 1 stepper motor Max current 2A per channel or 4A max (with external power supply) Current sensing 1.65V/A Free running stop and brake function
That means the board electronics need 5 to 12 v. Your 19V to the rails shouldnt be a problem especially for testing. The problem is on the decoder/motor side. The shield just passes it through assuming you cut Vin on the underside of the shield
That's the electronics operating range. Assuming you have cut Vin for testing purposes your 19v will be fine. I wouldn't run full throttle and I wouldn't do it permanently. It's more a motor problem then a shield or decoder problem. Shield is just passing it through. So is the decoder basically. Most motors are designed to be 12V but can easily take up to 16 for short periods of time. Above gets questionable but the only way it sees that voltage is full throttle And you'll have at least 1.5iah volt drop from your supply to the track so probably looking more like 17ish at full throttle. So again for testing fine,. Long term I wouldnt
Thanks @Keith. So what would you recommend as a long term solution for running multiple trains on an 00 guage layout? If I was to use a 12v supply what current would I need? Basically the ideal power supply. I've cut the v in tab on the underside. I may as well start out as I mean to go on rather than have a test setup that causes issues down the line.
I would use a 14 to15V, 2-3A power supply for that motor shield. Should be plenty to get 12v to the engines after command station and decoder but not to much. That motor shield can't drive more than 2A anyway so not much reason to oversize unless you will be powering other things with it.
