Single source power for 6 Menards buildings

You can buy a ton of cheap 5.0V regulated power packs on eBay.  If you add a series diode, you drop the voltage about .6 volts.  If you add two, you drop it about 1.2 volts.  If the power pack you are using is a 5A unit, just buy 6A diodes, they're quite cheap.

eBay: 272412754529, 5V at 5A power brick for $11.15, free shipping.  This may not be the cheapest, but it's the first one I found.

(10 Pack) 6A10 Diodes 6 amp 1000 volt, eBay: 132114125153, $3.39 shipped free.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

You can buy a ton of cheap 5.0V regulated power packs on eBay.  If you add a series diode, you drop the voltage about .6 volts.  If you add two, you drop it about 1.2 volts.  If the power pack you are using is a 5A unit, just buy 6A diodes, they're quite cheap.

eBay: 272412754529, 5V at 5A power brick for $11.15, free shipping.  This may not be the cheapest, but it's the first one I found.

(10 Pack) 6A10 Diodes 6 amp 1000 volt, eBay: 132114125153, $3.39 shipped free.

I am trying to get away from individual power packs.  I appreciate the diode to drop voltage.  I am hoping to incorporate dropping voltage from the single power source.  

The power pack I pointed to is good for a bunch of buildings.  You only need one or two diodes for the whole lot of buildings.  There are larger ones as well, go for a 10 model if you want one power source.

If that doesn't satisfy your requirement, I guess I'm confused as to what "single power source" means.

I have used adapters that tie 1 menards power supply to 2 buildings.  I get flickering.  I think because they have a lot of LED’s.  That makes me think I would have to use 1power pack per structure.  Are the diodes the difference?

I've powered multiple buildings with one supply with no issues.  The diodes are just to drop the voltage, don't know why you get flicker.

gunrunnerjohn posted:

I've powered multiple buildings with one supply with no issues.  The diodes are just to drop the voltage, don't know why you get flicker.

The diode will be good for me if I stay with the wall mount power packs.  I still want to power from my transformer.

The "problem" with Menards buildings is there are some that have just a few LEDs while others have hundreds.  And, as far as I know, no one has published an easy-to-use list that consolidates the power requirements for each of their buildings.  Then, Menards offers several DC adapters with different power ratings.  This just adds to the confusion.

But, it appear you want to power your buildings using a train transformer which supplies AC voltage?  What exactly do you want to use?

Here's the thing.  When you use power from a train transformer with AC voltage output, you are typically "paying" about $1 per Watt.  When you buy a DC adapter you typically pay about 10 cents per Watt.  That's quite a difference.  Yes, if you already have your train transformer then it costs you zero.  But the point is if you need DC power (like for Menards buildings) you will generally come out ahead (economically, wiring simplicity, etc.) using DC adapters and low-cost DC-to-DC voltage converters.  This leaves your AC train transformer power available to supply accessories or trains themselves that truly need AC power.

So my bottom line question is, do you really need to power your DC Menards buildings from the AC voltage output of your train transformer?

What he said.