60VA v 100VA for CS3+

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60VA v 100VA for CS3+

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BenP		#1 Posted : 28 June 2025 22:50:45(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: USA		I am at the max 60VA (3A) for my CS3 powered HO layout and am wondering if I can use a 100VA switching power supply instead of the current 60VA supply. Does wiring need to be heavier gauge (20 or smaller) than current 22/24. The CS3 is already rated up to 5A. I am considering 19V supply that is rated to 72W or 90W. I realize that a marklin 3A booster is another option, but relatively pricey solution. Thoughts? Ben
		Digital M track layout with vintage rolling stock and accessories controlled by CS3+Rocrail; small Z scale layout. https://youtube.com/play...0kgVYbh0CeDTF-bYXoD_2-V9

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H0		#2 Posted : 29 June 2025 00:43:39(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,463 Location: DE-NW		AIUI, the CS3 will switch off at 3 A or 5 A, depending on the power supply selected in the CS3 configuration. A power supply with 4 A won't improve the situation if the CS3 switches off at 3 A. Results may be confusing if the CS3 switches off at 5 A, but the power supply can handle 4 A only. With a load of 4.5 A, the CS3 will not switch off but the power supply will exceed its limit - and maybe even switch off.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS

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Pasquiles		#3 Posted : 29 June 2025 00:51:29(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/06/2019(UTC) Posts: 56 Location: Luxembourg, Luxembourg		Märklin recommends the 60VA for HO, and does not 100VA. My dealer on the other hand recommended me the 100VA when I bought the CS3. Insisting that I should take that one, so I would not need a booster. Of course the connections from the CS3 to the track are done with a thicker wire because of that. For me, so far so good, so probably I would go for the 100VA again. It is nice to have only one source of energy, and less wires overall. Edited by user 03 July 2025 19:17:00(UTC) \| Reason: An important “not” was missing.

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BenP		#4 Posted : 29 June 2025 18:22:21(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: USA		Thx for quick and useful responses. Given that rewiring for higher amperage would be a huge effort, essentially starting over, I decided on the pricey booster+power supply solution. I have two unconnected layers, creating a natural power division (but making sure the 2 layers share ground). Order placed and meanwhile I removed some items to keep draw below 3A as I continue layout automation (Rocrail). Ben
		Digital M track layout with vintage rolling stock and accessories controlled by CS3+Rocrail; small Z scale layout. https://youtube.com/play...0kgVYbh0CeDTF-bYXoD_2-V9


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JohnjeanB		#5 Posted : 29 June 2025 19:52:24(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2011(UTC) Posts: 3,578 Location: Paris, France		Hi Ben I use a 100w PSU since over a decade first with a CS2 and then a CS3 It works fine BUT wiring needs attention minimum 0.5 mm2 in a star configuration from the CS3 Best register MFX locos from prog. track My layout has 28 locos and is driven by Rocrail (so no stop sections and signals are only cosmetic). It draws 2.7 to 3.3 A Cabling is simplified because of Rocrail (no stop sections, no braking modules) Only occupation feed-back is needed The CS2/3 over current control protect fully your layout No complains Cheers Jean
		My layout videos latest vid marshalling yard My Layout

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BenP		#6 Posted : 29 June 2025 20:14:39(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/02/2021(UTC) Posts: 497 Location: USA		Originally Posted by: JohnjeanB Hi Ben I use a 100w PSU since over a decade first with a CS2 and then a CS3 It works fine BUT wiring needs attention minimum 0.5 mm2 in a star configuration from the CS3 Best register MFX locos from prog. track My layout has 28 locos and is driven by Rocrail (so no stop sections and signals are only cosmetic). It draws 2.7 to 3.3 A Cabling is simplified because of Rocrail (no stop sections, no braking modules) Only occupation feed-back is needed The CS2/3 over current control protect fully your layout No complains Cheers Jean Hi Jean I too use ~3A, partially from old bulbs in signals (removed all bulbs from M switches), on top of ~10 train consists. The need for thicker wires is prohibitive for me at this point. Just finished wiring of layout and am done sitting under the tables, except for occasional upkeep. I am going the 3A booster route. I mistakenly assumed that 5A cs3 limit applied to power supply, instead of 3.2A. I should have read the tiny black on black print. All good going forward with Rocrail and vintage track and signals. Ben
		Digital M track layout with vintage rolling stock and accessories controlled by CS3+Rocrail; small Z scale layout. https://youtube.com/play...0kgVYbh0CeDTF-bYXoD_2-V9

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Goofy		#7 Posted : 02 July 2025 17:25:57(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,289		Märklin recommended 3 amps for the scale H0 in case about safety for the train models. 5 amps are hugh and what I know myself does other railroader also use maximum 3 amps as standard for the layout. Higher outputs are for the big scale.
		H0 DCC = Digital Command Control

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H0		#8 Posted : 03 July 2025 08:09:49(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,463 Location: DE-NW		Originally Posted by: Goofy 5 amps are hugh and what I know myself does other railroader also use maximum 3 amps as standard for the layout. Which other? My Central Station 60212 has 4 A maximum output. So has the ESU ECoS.
		Regards Tom --- "In all of the gauges, we particularly emphasize a high level of quality, the best possible fidelity to the prototype, and absolute precision. You will see that in all of our products." (from Märklin New Items Brochure 2015, page 1) ROFLBTCUTS

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bph		#9 Posted : 03 July 2025 18:52:18(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 04/08/2018(UTC) Posts: 1,167		Originally Posted by: H0 Originally Posted by: Goofy 5 amps are hugh and what I know myself does other railroader also use maximum 3 amps as standard for the layout. Which other? My Central Station 60212 has 4 A maximum output. So has the ESU ECoS. On the other side, some claim even more is fine. E.g Digitrax claims that 8 A is ok to use on HO ref: https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB616/ho-layout-and-8-amp-boosters/

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Goofy		#10 Posted : 03 July 2025 22:01:59(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 9,289		Not without risk if high current overload train models. I am surprised Digitrax shows up at 8 amps! Totally madness
		H0 DCC = Digital Command Control

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