I recently acquired the latest CS3 +, Yippeee! I'm building a relatively large (for me) layout, l-shape 16' x 5' and 8'x4'. 3 levels, lots of switches, running 2-3 locs at a time, etc. I will probably need a booster to make sure I have sufficient consistent power. I still have my old CS2 60215. My question is can I connect this to the layout and utilize it as a booster as well as a controller? Would I be better off selling the CS2 and using the funds for the newer booster and have some cash to spare? I don't have any friends so I doubt I would have the need to have another controller.

Thoughts? Thanks![/size]

I would hold on to the CS2, you should be able to use the booster inside the CS2 as a booster for the layout. As Bdnz says, you can connect it to the CS3+ and have them work together.

That being said, if you are only going to run 2 - 3 trains at the same time, you are most likely not in need for a booster at all. The need for a booster has nothing to do with the size of the layout. The only thing that matters is how much power the consumers (locos and accessories) utilizes. A bus wire underneath the layout and feeder wires to the track every 1 - 1.5 meter should be more than enough in your case.

You could wire your layout as you would if a booster was in place, but do not buy any booster, instead just have the CS3 feed the whole thing. If you run out of power, you can introduce a booster (or the output from the CS2).

Yes, there are a few.

Please give me some time to find it again. This is really a major fact, but not often discussed in a community.

In the Maerklin Magazine you find always articles, how to do an MRR layout. Reading this, I found always helpful informations. One of this tip is about the power supply. They recommend for a layout (as you are planning) to separate the electric circuit into a minimum of two complete separate electrical power circuits. One for an operating model railroad and another one for the stationary power, like lights, signals, etc. Then they reckon to use a 100 VA power supply with cables of a minimum of 0,75 mm² cross section or even better 1,0 mm² (square millimetres).

Please, for conversions into by you used and familiar units use this homepage

http://www.convertworld.com/en/

I just bought a cable for my layout with 1,5 mm² transverse section. And I followed the tip from the Stummi community in Germany, where member recommended to buy cable for loudspeakers. So I did and they are cheap and helpful. OK, they do not always reflect the Maerklin colours, but these I use then from the main power cable ring to the single energy consumer, like a turnout.

Here I upload two PDF files about Maerklin tracks. They made me aware about a problem I never thought before; length differences of the C-track and combination possibilities of C-tracks of my layout. Just have a look, perhaps it may help you for your layout too.





Here I found a few links. Unfortunately most of them are in German. If you need support for translation into English, please let me know.

Links in German
https://modellbahn.mahre...ches/boosterstromkreise/
https://modellbahn.mahre...tronik/kabelquerschnitt/
https://modellbahn.mahre...k/vorwiderstandsrechner/
http://tams-online.de/ep...ooster%22#Booster_Anzahl

LDT has the advantage that it is already translated into English and you found plenty of pdf-files with explanations and drawings for the connections.

English links:

https://www.ldt-infocent...wiki/doku.php?id=en:db-4
http://www.stayathome.ch/booster_en.htm