I have found documentation that shows how to use a Delta 6604 with a transformer as a simple booster. I also believe that this booster does not support MFX. If I was to use a Mobile Station to control my trains (some of which are MFX and some Delta) what affect would this have?

One thing I am not sure about with boosters. Do you create a new power block with the track isolated from the other areas? I understand that the booster is there to supply power and pass along the digital information that it is given. Do you have to isolate the centre rail or common rails?

I am still trying to wrap my head around the workings of a booster.

Thanks
Darren

You may just separate the switching current, the one that activates the turnouts, from the one that powers the loco, if you have many switches and signals.
Powering this last from the 6604 and the loco from your controller, a CS I presume.

Hi Darren
I advise you to use only the 6604 to feed the track an use the MS for a so-called program track. You connect the MS to the ugly box=program track and you feed the signal (red and brown) to the 6604. I understand you have the scheme. The 6604 feeds the track. Use separate transformers for the 6604 and the MS. In this situation you don't need isolation in your layout.
The advantage is that a 6604 has a much better power delivery than even a 1.9 A MS, at least that is my experience. If you want more boosters, I would suggest you get another 6604 or 66045 rather than using the MS for feeding the track. Then you would have to isolate the different sections of your layout (for a 6604 a simple isolation of the center rail is enough, no rockers needed). But I would at first try if one 6604 does the trick on its own.
Regards, Henk.

Well it works. I have set up my 6604 as a booster. My Mobile Station is just feeding a programming track on the control board. When I used just the MS I could run 2 trains and now I have been able to run 3. The only difference I have encountered without having MFX is the speed control bar on the MS flashes for my MFX locos. I also need to place my MFX locos on the programming track before the mainline so they register and the acceleration and deceleration work. I can live with those 2 minor issues. I may try building the feedback circuit as suggested by perz when I get the time.

Thanks for all your help.

Darren

Darren,

Nice job. Can you post some more close up pics of the circuit from different angles, and the underside? Where did you source your materials, and can you estimate the cost?

Regards,

Thomas

I purchased the parts from a small local electronics shop in town. I paid extra for prepackaged flameproof resistors. I think you could build it for less then $15 CAD. The price is higher since you are buying such small quantities. The transformer I built using a ferrite core I scavenged from a power supply and used 24awg and 22awg wire. The straps come in a strip and are used for joining 2 circuit boards or in my case I used little circuit jumpers like you find on computer motherboards and such. This allows me to pop the jumpers in and out easy. You may be able to salvage these from an old computer board as well.

I am going to build a second unit and try to make it a little prettier. I will post pictures of that one and I will email them to you as well.

I must say that the credit for this circuit goes to Per. He is the Dr Frankenstein and I am but the lowly Igor.

Cheers...
Darren