Digital Command Control Boosters Suck In Volts and Spit out Amped UP Amps
Before we dive into this latest subject I want to firstly explain the function of a booster as it relates to digital command control. Boosters convert the low currents admitted by your command station and “BOOST” the signal to a level usable by your model locomotive.
Just like all things that run on electricity, there are safe levels of operation and there are boundaries that should not be crossed, unless you’re ready to pay the price. Digital command control is no different. When dealing with boosters, one must be on his or her toes as they can deliver a fierce bite or screw up decoders in a split second.
I always assume modelers know a little something about volts and amps as it’s such an important quantum of operations. These tiny microscopic power houses are the heart and blood of your layout.
Volts and amps are so important in fact, that there is a chart that classymodeltrains.com will provide you with to inform you of the amount of volts required per scale.
Now… even before we provide this chart, it’s important to know that the type of power supply you’ll need is relative to whether or not you have a AC powered DCC system or a DC powered DCC system.
| Z scale N scale | 12 – 14 VAC |
| HO scaleS scale | 14 – 16 VAC |
| O scaleG scale | 18 – 22 VAC |
DC Powered DCC
| Z scale N scale | 16 VDC |
| HO scaleS scale | 19 VDC |
| O scaleG scale | 25 VDC |
As it’s clearly displayed above, the amount of amperage required between each scale is relatively close, although the subtle variance can be the difference between such unwanted events as derailments, shorts or just plain underpowered slow moving layouts.
That’s our post for today, we’ll return tomorrow with more details on throttle controls and power stations.
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Thanks matryx… Great POST! Needed this chart.