Sidders100 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Hi Guys Im looking to motorise 4 or 5 sets of points and then also add scaledale lighting (town in the centre of the layout) and 2 or 3 electronic signals. Can someone advise the best way to achieve this? I have a DCC bus running under the layout and assume the accessory decoder is the best option? (using select controller at the mo) Only thing I don't understand is how you run all these things from 4 outputs? Would you just have 1 output for the lighting, 1 output for signals etc? Appreciate the help in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevecamden Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 The Hornby R8247 accessory decoder can be programmed to be green/red ( 2 aspect) by setting the functions (on continuous) for the decoder when you allocate the DCC ID on the programming track. It is all clearly explained in the decoder instruction sheet. As for lights: Well I wouldn't use the Select aux to power lights - just get a 12v PSU ( old laptop charger or whatever) makes sure you don't exceed the voltage etc and run your lights with a simple toggle switch on/off. If they are incandescent bulbs and you have lots of them then you might need more amps. Have fun! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregd99 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 it is always helpful to do some sums when planning lighting. A LED draws about 20mA (0.02 A). An incandescent lamp draws about 100mA (0.1 A). 10 x lamps = 1A; 10 x LEDs = 0.2 A. The Select has a supply capability of 1A. the Aux on the Elite the same. A few LEDs here and there are insignificant but for anything more I suggest an external power supply. Consider 30 lamps on your layout. this is 3A! I recommend considering LEDs. They have the advantages of low current, many colours, various intensities, never burn out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flashbang Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 Hi As stated above you will need an accessory decoder (PAD) e.g. Hornby R8247 to allow the point motors to operate via the DCC power and Select. Each PAD has four separate outputs working four point motors. As a Select user you can not alter the CV values within the PAD so you can only use the PAD as a momentary point motor supply. You would need the Elite of a similar more up market other make of DCC console to adjust CVs to allow the output to be adjusted to continuous. If your Select is working from its basic 1.0Amp power supply I would recommend you do one of these.... Replace the Selects 1.O Amp PSU with the Hornby P9300 4.0Amp one. Or... Retain the 1.0Amp PSU and operate all your points and lighting requirements from totally separate power units - e.g. 12 volt dc 1.0Amp for all lighting needs and 16 volt ac 1.0Amp or higher for all point motor feeds adding a CDU (Capacitor Discharge Unit) too if possible as this will provide a 'beefy' pulse of power to the point motor. Only one CDU is needed for the whole layout normally. Operate the point motors from passing contact levers (Hornby R044 Black but without a CDU as these don't work well with the R044) Another make of passing contact lever (which is ok with a CDU) or sprung to centre off toggle switches etc. Or obtain a more up market DCC system like the Hornby Elite which offers 3.0Amp to track plus 1.0Amp at 15 volts for all your lighting requirements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidders100 Posted December 23, 2012 Author Share Posted December 23, 2012 Thanks for your help guys. I can see an elite controller being purchased! When you say about using an old power supply - you'll have to excuse my ignorance but what do you actually do to connect the lighting?? Obviously you'd have a bespoke connection so do you cut the wires and then.......??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregd99 Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 An old power supply could be the aux output on an old DC controller. From there you just wire via some switches to your leds/lamps. Don't forget some resistors if you are using leds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted December 23, 2012 Share Posted December 23, 2012 Or use the actual controlled output of an old dc controller. Turn the speed up to about 3/4, to start with, and you can then adjust it up or down to get the light level you want. If you are using incandescent lamps, running them at less than max makes them last longer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sidders100 Posted December 29, 2012 Author Share Posted December 29, 2012 Hi Guys I've upgraded the PSU to the 4A one so we'll start with that - thanks Flashbang. (only just ordered it so not seen the results yet) Im going to stick with std switches for the point motors mainly due to the fact i've already got them in place with the wires through the baseboard and really only need a couple that are a bit of a reach over the layout. As for signal lighting - does anyone have any experience of the TT range of signals? They look awesome and would love to install a few but dont want to spend the money if there would be a problem? Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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