thomas_patrick Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Hi. I have a DCC layout. Within the layout I have an area that will be an MPD eventually but consists of 4 sidings at the moment. this feeds of the main layout via a set of points and is totaly isolated from the main layout. I fitted a Hornby signal and power booster to this area and use a Hornby Elite as my main controller. It is connected to the booster via the Hornby link wire, and the booster has its own power. initially there were no problems but yesterday every loco coming off the main onto the sidings stopped and caused an error message on the elite. on checking, there is no power to any of the sidings fed from the booster and it is showing a flashing green power light. has anyone any ideas what has gone wrong please? I have checked and re-cjked my track an dwiring and can see no faults. the locos run fine on the main. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 You are better to use the more direct wiring method shown in Figure 4 of the R8239 manual - see here - as the RJ cable method is a tag along on the RJ cable and not a true Xpressnet signal. This will prove if its your wiring or the Xpressnet cable side of things. /media/tinymce_upload/6ee0394fe148128d97558952e7e307da.PNG You obviously don't need to use track connectors or a Hornby isolating track just soldered connections and IRJs. I presume you are using the booster purely for convenience of having two separate power districts as it may be that your layout is not large enough to warrant a booster - the rule of thumb is - does it fill both spaces of a double garage or not. Yes - may need a booster. No - no booster required.Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 I would go as far as to say, that using a Booster just for four sidings is uneccessary overkill. Save yourself all the hassle and take it out of the equation. Its only four sidings, if it was a fiddle yard with >10 lines (with potentially a loco on each line), then maybe worthwhile doing..You say "....and is totaly isolated from the main layout". How are you acheiving the isolation ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yelrow Posted March 6, 2017 Share Posted March 6, 2017 Thomas, hi, the rule of thumb for a power booster , is your layout needs to be bigger than a double garage, brfore it would need/ justify one. I think overkill, here, is exactly right, unless of course, your layout, is huge. john Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thomas_patrick Posted March 7, 2017 Author Share Posted March 7, 2017 Thank-you to everyone for your replies and really helpful advice.My layout is not as big as a double garage! I have taken all your advice and removed the booster completely. evrything is now working well. Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chrissaf Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 I have taken all your advice and removed the booster completely.Forum user Fishy will be really pleased to hear that....... 😆.Sorry Tom, an 'in joke' at Fishy's expense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted March 7, 2017 Share Posted March 7, 2017 All is not lost as you can use the booster as a reverse loop module should you get into that situation.Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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