Prodigy Express Booster Bus

[Guest]

It is a proprietary interface for the Prodigy DCC49 Booster product. A 'DCC Booster' is perhaps something that would be more correctly termed a 'Repeater'. It takes the DCC signal from the Express controller (Master) and repeats the DCC signal on to a physically and electrically separated track section of layout. The repeated signal is synchronous to the original signal (means in perfect timing). Thus trains can transfer from one 'booster' powered track section to another via 'Insulated Track Joiners' without detrimental effect. Each connected booster has its own mains power supply.

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If more than one booster is installed, then the individual output currents of the boosters do not aggregate together on the same section of track. Thus they do not increase the current on any one specific isolated track section. The current from the boosters is only available on the isolated track section they are connected to.

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Track layout design with boosters needs very careful thought. For example if the layout design allows all or most of the trains to move into the same booster track section, then all of those trains will be using the output from that one booster device. Which somewhat negates the idea of using boosters in the first place.

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The DCC49 offers 8 amps of current. Something that might be more readily seen in the USA where 8 amp supplies are common. A rather high current value for typically European and UK based layouts. This is enough current to melt a loco and track, so is something that should be very carefully thought through.

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In my view, complete overkill for a typical UK domestic home layout. This sort of kit, is more likely to be used on large exhibition layouts partly because of the increased number of trains on a layout that can be supported, but mainly because when a track section with a booster is tripped by a short circuit, the other boosters elsewhere on the layout continue working. Thus in an exhibition situation, the whole layout doesn't just suddenly stop.

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Read the DCC49 manual.

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Extract of the manual below. Note this extract is written around the Advance, but is in essence the same principle on the Express.

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Alternatively.

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See the 'Single Booster' drawing on the right.

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One realistic usable situation where you could potentially use a DCC49 booster with an Express. Is to overcome the 2 Amp current limitation of the Express track output.

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In this scenario as depicted in the right hand side drawing. You connect the Express to a single DCC49 booster and the output of the DCC49 booster connects to your layout (all of your layout). The normal track output of the Express DOES NOT connect to your track, but could connect to any stand-alone Accessory Decoders to control them independently from the track. Thus the Accessory Decoders become isolated from the effects of transient track short circuits.

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The 'Prog' track output of the Express base unit is still used for programming. The 'Prog' output of the Express must never be connected to a DCC49 booster. Similarly, the output of a DCC49 booster must never be connected to the 'programming' track either.

 

[Swerveq]

Thank you.

[Chrissaf]

My reply was added to after your reply above. Just bumping this post to bring those last minute edits to your attention.

[RDS]

What is the 'Booster Bus' slot on the back of the Prodigy Express controller for?