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DCC Changes, Fall 2006

POWER BOX AND LOOP MODIFICATIONS:
We have recently (fall '06) modified the DCC wiring and Power Box. Please read this carefully to help you understand how to setup the layout and use the DCC system. The goals were to make more power districts (easier to localize shorts), remove the DC components from the Power box, and to install ammeters in the DCC system. This is more difficult to describe than to show, so ask about the changes at a show to verify what has happened here.

1. The outer and inner loops have been divided up into two power districts each, which we call "outer left," "outer right," "inner left," and "inner right." Left and right are from the wye inside the layout. There are now 8 wires (four Molex connectors) going from the power box to the inner and outer rails. They will all be color-coded plugs for easy connection.
2. To divide up the inner and outer loops, it is necessary to have gaps in the RAILS AND in the BUS underneath at two points. One gap in the bus is where the power box connectors connect. The rails above will have to be double gapped also with insulated joiners or specially cut 9" joiner tracks. Somewhere opposite the wye, another double gap must be installed both in the unconnected bus underneath and in the rails above. If the bridge is anywhere near the opposite, then the gap could be easily made there by not hooking up the bus underneath (long wire) on one side AND double gapping the 9" jumper tracks above.
3. The old DC packs and radios have been removed but are still usable if necessary or desired by simply plugging them into the DC Molex connectors and switching the proper toggle switches on the Power Box. The packs will be stored in the "electrical" tub. The plugs are color coded. The power pack and radio are labeled inner and outer. IMPORTANT: IF DC AND DCC GET CONNECTED SOMEHOW, IT WILL DESTROY THE BOOSTER, A $60 REPAIR JOB. IF BOTH DC AND DCC ARE USED, PUT THE DC ON THE OUTSIDE LOOP SO THAT THE INNER LOOP IS ACCESSIBLE TO THE YARD.
4. Ammeters have been installed that monitor the amps and volts of each booster. This will give us a handle on the capacity that we have.
   [Maybe someday we could additionally make all the 9" joiners with gaps so that all power comes up from the bus in the drop wires. (No doubt there will be some dead sections that would need some new drop feeders, but that is simple to do.) For now, just make sure that you know how to hook up the bus, the toggle arrangement, and to gap the opposite side.]
5. CAUTION REQUIRED AFTER MODIFICATIONS:
   Since we have created two more power districts some are on the same rail. If not careful we may have a few more collisions, as some trains will stop due to the short while others on the same track will keep going. Read that "watch your back" and "watch where you are going."

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Last updated:

July 22, 2007