Circuit Board / Chip Confusion

Is there a less expensive version of this out there somewhere?

https://tonystrains.com/produc...ent-circuit-breaker/

Ponz

No, but Charles Ro used carry them and they may be a bit less there? Don't know about their support though? Tony's knows the product well so it might be worth it to go there in case you have questions/problems?

I think mine were about $44.95 a few years ago, at Tony's. But, I also got the terminal kit and sonalert alarm for them.  I bought 4 of them.

OK, OK - I'm beating a dead horse!

Not a problem (dead horse beating), it's all a learning experience for a lot of us here, myself included. I learn something every time I get on the forum here.

The one 'suggested' is for AC and the type of layouts we have in O gauge and is the only one that will work for our layouts. The other is for DCC systems and will not work with our O gauge trains. If you are going to get one of these you need to get the PSX-AC, or PSX1-AC as they seem to be calling them now.

Most of the items, maybe all others, that DCC Specialties makes are for DCC. HEnce the name DCC Specialties I guess. We must have just gotten lucky and they made one item for us in the PSX1-AC. Not sure how that came about? Actually, Tony's is mainly a DCC dealer too, but they seem to know the DCC Specialties products well.

I believe someone else here got a PSX for DCC (possibly by mistake, don't remember?) and it did not work. I believe they ended up sending it back and getting the proper PSX1-AC for their system and all was well after that. It's been quite a while and I don't remember the poster or what the thread was titled or I would try to find the thread and post a link.

If it makes you feel any better, I have been on the fence for some time for some of DCC Specialties RRampmeters, but those are $100 or maybe $110 each (I forget the price on the ones we need?) and I need four. I just can't seem to cough up that much for them. Maybe I should think 'one at a time' and the pricing would sound a little better?    

ADCX Rob posted:

Ponz posted:

 

Let's say I'm running a LionChief PLUS on one ZW channel and an MTH PS1 on another channel with an in-line fast blow 6amp fuse.  If the LionChief PLUS shorts out, how if at all, would that affect the more susceptible MTH PS1 engine's (circuitry) since it's running on a different channel? 

There is only one "channel" on your postwar ZW.

There are 4 variable taps on that one channel(transformer secondary), so all trains are running off of the same source.

Rob - that reinforces my concern.

Ponz

Ponz posted:

ADCX Rob posted:

Ponz posted:

 

Let's say I'm running a LionChief PLUS on one ZW channel and an MTH PS1 on another channel with an in-line fast blow 6amp fuse.  If the LionChief PLUS shorts out, how if at all, would that affect the more susceptible MTH PS1 engine's (circuitry) since it's running on a different channel? 

There is only one "channel" on your postwar ZW.

There are 4 variable taps on that one channel(transformer secondary), so all trains are running off of the same source.

Rob - that reinforces my concern.

Ponz

And it should. It's all the same circuit, and each layout power district should be protected by a TVS diode.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

If you must have the PCB with the terminal strip, a PCB from OSH Park would be around $1/ea, maybe less.  I buy the Euro-style terminal blocks in bulk on eBay for peanuts, and as you say, the 1500W TVS is around 50 cents for 25 or more, always useful to have these around.

Also, with a little searching, you can have even cheaper breakers.

5A P&B Panel Mount CB, $2.47

These also come in 8A and 10A, also below $3/ea.

Hello John - Would you please shoot me a link for these TVSs?  There are many difference ratings and prices out there

Ponz

There is a link to Digikey for the TVS most folks use here in the linked post 'PTC and TVS...' at the bottom of my post here. Most folks here use the 'TVS Conventional' model.