Variable Power Supply with Arc Pro?

[Tom-375600]

Thinking about getting a second power supply for the arc pro. Was wondering if it's possible to get a variable supply and just use that in one of the power ports. Or maybe a bench supply.

#1, I don't know if this would work

#2, would I have to double the volts and the AMPs or just volts or AMPS

A new Scalextric supply is about as expensive as a cheaper bench supply. Just looking at options.

[Andy P.]

HI Tom,

I am not an electronic specialist but but I know that the Scaletxric digital system doesn't just use power but infra red (IR) waves and pulse width modulation.

It also needs steady clean power on the rails.

I can't say variable power supply won't work but you would have to try to match the amps and volts of the single or double power supplies to be sure to avoid damage.

Unless you have a lot of electrical knowledge I would think simply adding a second power supply would be sufficient.

[Tom-375600]

Thanks Andy!

Living in Canada the right power supplies are hard to come by. But its really a matter of impatience. I will take your advice and just round a second power supply and play it safe.

[Andy P.]

Where about in Canada if you don't mind me asking?

I grew on the border Detroit/Windsor.

Loved getting the CBC.. :-)

You can use any supply as long as it matches volts and amps and the jack is the same size i.e. diameter and circumference.

Back when things like Radio Shack existed you could go into one of those and easily find the required parts...

[Tom-375600]

Andy,

In Chatham, now. About an hour east of where you grew up!

Right now, I only have 3 controllers, so the power thing isn't a priority. But shipping in Canada is $$$ so I was hoping to be able to buy 1 power supply and then turn it up to 30v/10amps and then just go for it.

But I can probably purchase some cheap ones and send them to relatives in Michigan and get them in a month.

As an aside, I just dug up an old thread on making your own Ferrite Man. Also found a supplier that has the components. Might make a few of them as spares. Going to eventually turn my fleet of indycars into digital.

[Andy P.]

The problem is the jacks are hard wired to the lanes so pumping 30 Volts through one might over power it.

Like I said, it doesn't have to be a Hornby powersupply. There is a Toshiba laptop powersupply that is a one to one swap that has just enough amps to make things work but not too much to melt it all.

I think there was a thread on Slotforum.com about it.

Otherwise anyone with a a wee bit of electrical knowledge should be able to get a generic power supply to work with the the correct volts, amps etc. and the required barrel plug...

Good luck and have a great year! (, eh) !

:-D