Getting the maximum performance from your trains
The following ideas have been discussed to address high current capacity considerations so that multiple powered locos can pull very long passenger trains effortlessly.
Quantum Magnums
The Quantum Magnums sold by STR have been upgraded to 6+ Amps for the most demanding motors and loads, eliminating a potential heat problem in the loco.
The Quantum Magnum opens up the prospect of using several locos to adequately pull really long trains.
No, the Quantum Magnum does not have a slave counterpart.
One complete unit per loco is it.
Besides, there would be no effective RTC.
Having the QSI Quantum Magnum in all ones locos provides complete RTC
(Regulated Throttle Control) equalization, balancing the load among all
locos.
Long passenger trains result in a lot of lights, adding a significant secondary load to the Power Supply.
DC & DC/QARC
When operating in DC or DC/QARC there are no components that limit the Power Controller current.
DC is directly from the Power Controller straight to the track.
With QARC, the Power Controller current goes thru the
Quantum Engineer Booster to the track.
The required Quantum Engineer Booster has 50 Amp relays, so one can safely employ the Quantum Engineer (which feeds the Quantum Engineer Booster) for all 28 of the effects, at any operating speed, without limitation.
The DC/QARC system is for 1 train at a time.
One could have several different tracks, each powered by it's own Controller and QSI QARC accessories, for each track.
DCC: Wired Tether to Cab
However, when one wants to operate 2 or more trains on the same track, DCC becomes the control of choice.
Due to available product limitations with power distribution to the track with the necessary DCC signals imposed, some special arrangements must be made.
For track power with the DCC signals imposed, there may have to be blocks which are short enough that an entire passenger train cannot be on one block, actually no more than 5-6 cars. It all depends upon upon the power available.
Each block requires a separate Booster. The Power Controller is connected to all of the Booster's' power inputs.
The DCC Signal is Daisy Chained to all of the Boosters. The Cab is plugged into one of the Boosters.
DCC Wireless Cab
For the wireless Cab, the Cab's Receiver is plugged into one of the Boosters.
The maximum current that can be handled by the Boosters is 10 Amps each.
No, they cannot have their outputs wired in parallel.
Booster Comparison Chart
So, 10 Amp Power Supply Controllers each connected to a 10 Amp Booster and limiting passenger trains to pulling no more than 10 Amps (to be determined by the operator - as not all lighting circuits are the same) would allow any length blocks. I.E. shorter or longer than the train running thru them.
GWire
While blocks are "nice" there is a simpler and more elegant solution:
It is called GWire.
At present there is only one manufacture of a GWire Cab.
NCE makes a GWire Pro Cab. It provides all 28 functions for up to 15 locomotive consists.
With GWire receivers in each loco,the problem associated with Boosters is eliminated.
Track power is handled by having blocks for each Power Controller, of which there would be fewer than with the Booster approach.
Note that there is no requirement or need for the QSI QARC accessories when running DCC. In fact, while operating under DCC, any QARC signals will be ignored.
Without Boosters, (GWire only) one could use even more powerful Power Supply Controllers, just less of them.
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Comments , corrections, questions, improvements are welcomed for the STR DC/DCC presentation
Click on the Blue link to email Art Boynton
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