TheRailwire

General Discussion => DCC / Electronics => Topic started by: Ed Kapuscinski on October 05, 2021, 02:30:47 PM

Title: "Generic" Digitrax PS14 Alternatives
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on October 05, 2021, 02:30:47 PM
I've got some Digitrax UP5s that need some power, and before I blindly drop $60 on what is probably $10 worth of chinesium for PS14 power adapters, I felt I should do my due diligence on them.

Are there good "generic" (ie, available on Amazon) alternatives?
Title: Re: "Generic" Digitrax PS14 Alternatives
Post by: John on October 05, 2021, 03:22:09 PM
I've got some Digitrax UP5s that need some power, and before I blindly drop $60 on what is probably $10 worth of chinesium for PS14 power adapters, I felt I should do my due diligence on them.

Are there good "generic" (ie, available on Amazon) alternatives?

I've used just about any 14VDC 300ma walwart with no problems ..  but why don.t you just run a 12-14vdc power bus ...
Title: Re: "Generic" Digitrax PS14 Alternatives
Post by: Ed Kapuscinski on October 05, 2021, 03:28:18 PM
I've used just about any 14VDC 300ma walwart with no problems ..  but why don.t you just run a 12-14vdc power bus ...

That's a good question.

So that'd mean just running another take-off from the PS2012 I'm using and connecting it to the UP5s?
Title: Re: "Generic" Digitrax PS14 Alternatives
Post by: John on October 05, 2021, 04:41:56 PM
That's a good question.

So that'd mean just running another take-off from the PS2012 I'm using and connecting it to the UP5s?

I used an old laptop power supply .. cut the plug off -- then run a DC buss around the layout .. other benefit - you can use it to power all the other devices .. and maybe even some lights ..

I also use something like this to monitor the buss at a couple of key places

https://www.amazon.com/MakerFocus-Digital-Voltmeter-Two-Wire-2-5V-30V/dp/B0761MG9NS/ref=sr_1_87?dchild=1&keywords=voltage+meter&qid=1633466455&sr=8-87