Hi all,

The possibilities of my small test track are reaching the limits, so it's time for the real stuff. Early next year I hope to start working on a layout, which will need about 10 boosters.

Now I'm wondering what would be the best way to let the control software know that there is a short circuit. Because when this happens, it has to pause the program. I've thought of 2 options:

Option 1: Each booster has a short circuit detection, it's possible to combine the signals with some logic circuitry into one overall short circuit signal.
Option 2: Connect each power section to a S88, and let the program check if all sections are powered
Option 3: Suggestions ??

How are you dealing with this, fellow Forum members ??

Gregor

You may want to check the documentation of the Littfinski Watchdog
http://www.ldt-infocenter.com/

Gregor: Impressive. You might reduce the booster count by analyzing the max number of loads (loks/carriage lights/smoke generators, etc) on each branch served by your present trafos. You may be able to combine some of them without doing any additional wiring (just connect both sets to the same booster). You proably have that many trafos for control, not for load.

Bart (or anyone): That Littfinski site looks good. Anyone have experience with their products? I could order a number of them right now (was planning on ordering some Viessmann equivalents of k83's k84's and s88's this afternoon, as a matter of fact)

Hi again,

Ron, the old analog was fully automatic with contact switches, so no control. The 10 trafo's were purely for load (28 trains at that time). I will be able to cut down on boosters by cutting power to shadow station tracks, although I realy like the sight of lit trains in the tunnels.

Adrian, you and Miss 5 are more than welcome, there is no real layout yet in my house, but she can make a good start with my Miss 5 and Mister 4.



Bart and Ron, I have 1 k83-alternative from LDT, and it works absolutely fine.

David, there is 45 cm space around the layout for access. Another reason not to gain too much weight.

Best regards,
Gregor

The old 6017 boosters feed back a stop signal so if one booster detects an overload all segments are closed down. The stopped condition can be detected by the inactivation of the CTS signal in the communication between the interface and the computer. The control software should be able to detect this and you shouldn't need to make any special arrangements to make it work.

How this is going to work with the Central Station and the new generation of boosters not yet introduced is not clear, but I think it is most likely that it will work the same in this respect.

If you use Delta Control units as boosters a detected overload will not be fed back to the other units, so then you will need to design some kind of supervision system.

Hey Gregor that is quite a layout you have there. Couldn't you have converted that one to digital

Chris

Hi all,

After thinking again about the options, I'll settle for option 2: I will need 2x s88, but in return I know in which section to look for the short circuit.

And Chris, unfortunately the current layout is not in my home, but in my aunt's house. I have spent many hours on it with my uncle, and when he died, I inherited it, so I will have to rebuild it at my own place.

Gregor