What do you guys think of that Radio shack unit? If you get lucky and find one at a RS store that is closing the price is 70% off. I bought one. If it is not useful for my 5 amp Digitrax unit I could always use it for accessories.
I don't see where it does not have the amperage capacity. These power supplies are rated 6.5 amps. The Digitrax DB150 I'm going to use it with has a 5 amp capacity. If any thing it has more than enough capacity. Please re-read the specs. 18.5 volts DC 6.5 amps 120 watts Overload protected. The Digitrax PS514 is only rated to 70W Edit: Here is an example of the type power supply I'm looking at. They are made to run the laptop and a docking station. http://www.ebay.com/itm/AC-Adapter-...825?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a7fa6cc19
John, it is at the low end of the voltage range, and I am not certain what the voltage drop is between input and output of the Digitrax command stations and boosters. Might limit DCC track voltage (but don't know for sure). It would be a great accessory power supply.
Having worked for Radio Shack let me say this. It's all about the numbers and whether you are operating with DC or AC current. I've put some sound systems together and it's all about the numbers. I wouldn't recommend you ever take a power supply meant for a specific item and plug it into a different one. Like a DVD player and plug it into a portable TV...unless the numbers are the same. Use power supplies designed for the item in question. I hooked up a power supply to a Uniden bearcat scanner that wasn't designed for that unit. The numbers read the same but something in the power supply caused the scanner to over heat. I removed it and eventually found the right power source and it still operates splendidly. However, I got lucky on that one. Other examples and situations turned-out...well....not so good. I read an article in one of our illustrious model railroad wig wags talking about improving the DCC signal. Unless you are one of those electronic guru's that knows what they are doing....DON'T.:startled:
Directly from the Digitrax site for DB150 at the bottom in smaller type font: Note: Accepts either 50/60 Hz AC or DC input from power supply (sold separately). Recommended power supply: Digitrax PS514 or equivalent. Maximum input 22 volts AC or 28 volts DC Minimum input 12 volts AC or 15 volts DC. Technical Note About DCC Booster Output Ratings: Digitrax boosters have maximum output current limits of either 5 or 8 amps. The actual continuous output current that your booster will provide to the layout depends on several factors including the input supply voltage, the ambient room temperature and air flow over the booster's heat sink. Higher input voltages increase the amount of heat that must be dissipated by the booster's heat sink. If the heat sink does not get enough air flow to allow for heat dissipation, the booster will eventually reach an over temperature state and shut down. A small fan blowing across the heat sink on your booster will increase the maximum sustained current output capacity of your booster. Each DCC company specifies the output capacity of its boosters according to their own internal standards. Tests designed and performed by several model railroaders have shown wide variations in the actual output capacity of DCC boosters. In most cases the tests were designed to overload boosters and cause them to shut down. The conclusion based on these tests is that each manufacturer uses a different way of determining booster output capacity, Digitrax tends to be more conservative in stating booster output ratings. The factor that is most important for achieving maximum output capacity is the booster’s heat sinking ability. In these tests, Digitrax boosters have demonstrated excellent heat sinking capabilities and the ability to consistently output the advertised 5 or 8 amps when appropriate fans are added in high temperature situations. Hope this helps some.
