PowerShields Boost Restart for Broadway Ltd and DCC

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PowerShield Tech Info
High Capacity Reset for PowerShields

As DCC product options have evolved so has the need for more power.

The advent of Broadway Ltd locos [more BLI tips] is yet another example of the great products that DCC is spawning. Although the wonderful sound and features come at a cost ... power!

The power required is not necessarily in normal operations but in the re-start or initial power-up conditions. The storage capacitors on these locos, that help provide smooth power for operations, look like a short circuit to DCC systems on initial power-up or re-start after a track short. Upon power-up or re-start these capacitors draw significant current for an instant, essentially tricking the DCC booster that this is a track short. Operators using multiple Broadway locomotives are beginning to report this power-up/re-start problem.

We have tested some of the popular DCC systems for the Broadway Ltd re-start effect. The test was performed at idle (static), zero speed for all locos, in order to have uniform data. Under speed or load (dynamic) the results would diminish. We could practically test only 11 BLI at once, hence 11+.

The Digitrax DCS100, 5A faired lowest in BLI re-start followed by the DCS 200 8A, the Lenz LZV 101,5A and the NCE Power Pro 5A. Using PowerShields significantly improved the performance of both Digitrax units. Lenz and NCE faired well without the Power Shield although using the Power Shields with Lenz provides an automatic re-start eliminating the need to re-start by manual throttle control.

Conditions vary from layout to layout so these results may not exactly apply to yours.

If you are using or intend to use Power Shields, the optimum programming jumper setting is pins 3-4 for both trip time and trip current. Please call if you have further questions.

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