Secondary power supply for switches, decoders etc.

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Semaphore		#1 Posted : 13 October 2012 19:30:53(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 13/08/2011(UTC) Posts: 60 Location: Toms River, New Jersey, USA		Hello Marklin fans. I have a feeling that installing a separate power supply for all the accessories, switches, decoders, signals, lighted stop blocks etc. is a good idea. I basically want to use the power from the ECOS just for operating the trains. I am running ESU SwitchPilot decoders which have a separate input for this. What readily available transformer (used or new) and what brand would be a good choice. Thanks a bunch! Steven
		Best regards, Steven JE MAINTIENDRAI

1 user liked this useful post by Semaphore		kbvrod
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kbvrod		#2 Posted : 13 October 2012 22:07:11(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 23/08/2006(UTC) Posts: 2,597 Location: Beverly, MA		Hi Steven,all, >I have a feeling that installing a separate power supply for all the accessories, switches, decoders, signals, lighted stop blocks etc. is a good idea. I basically want to use the power from the ECOS just for operating the trains.< Yes! two reasons; 1) you have enough power to run trains 2) you can trace any problems on another buss,eliminating the mains(CU,booster sections) on which the trains run. >What readily available transformer (used or new) and what brand would be a good choice. < That depends on the above accessories.Power consumption,... Dr D


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hqstu		#3 Posted : 21 October 2012 05:13:41(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 12/04/2002(UTC) Posts: 429 Location: Hamilton, New Zealand		Anything really that puts out about 16 vac. I'm using an old electric blanket transformer that puts out either 13, 16, 18 volts depending what "heat" setting you have it on, , 18v good for those sticky M track points that haven't been used for a while... No need to spend big coin on power supply. As long as it's tested and safe.
		Cheers Stuart New Zealand


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DaleSchultz		#4 Posted : 29 October 2012 01:32:20(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 10/02/2006(UTC) Posts: 3,997		Running a DC power bus for accessories may even be preferable to running AC since most accessories can work just as well if not better, for example LED lighting etc.... and a very cheap source of very good DC power is in old PC power supplies... see http://layout.mixmox.com/1/5_Volt_power I initially used the 5V output but soon realised that 12V was better for LED lighting
		Dale Intellibox + own software, K-Track My current layout: https://cabin-layout.mixmox.com Arrival and Departure signs: https://remotesign.mixmox.com
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H0		#5 Posted : 29 October 2012 08:21:53(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 16/02/2004(UTC) Posts: 15,267 Location: DE-NW		Originally Posted by: DaleSchultz and a very cheap source of very good DC power is in old PC power supplies... Very cheap, but not very safe (earthed power supply, no double isolation). Use at your own risk (NEM do not allow this for publicly shown layouts, not recommended for children's playrooms).
		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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Olle3770		#6 Posted : 29 October 2012 08:45:42(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 29/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 75 Location: Eskilstuna, Sweden		I save all power adapters from mobile-phones, network-switches, play stations, laptops etc which still work when the unit they powered breaks. They come in handy at times. Laptop adapters usually delivers some decent current. //OBj


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river6109		#7 Posted : 29 October 2012 09:14:45(UTC) Retweet
Joined: 22/01/2009(UTC) Posts: 14,728 Location: On 1965 Märklin Boulevard just around from Roco Square		Stephen, switch pilots are great accessory items and one of the benefits is the RailComPlus feedback of all your signals, turnouts etc. etc. the moment you separate them from the ECoS you loose the feedback benefit or unless you feed them with a DC transformer (not any) regards., John
		https://www.youtube.com/river6109 https://www.youtube.com/6109river 5 years in Destruction mode 50 years in Repairing mode
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