DCC Booster Research: Overload and Short Circuit Protection (Video

[@manshedrailroad]

This is a really awesome setup for DCC++ users. I'm definitely going to need to build one of these. You might consider, adding some booster feedback data that can communicate the location of a short circuit to JMRI Panel Pro.

[@IoTT]

Well, the location of the short circuit is not possible, but an indicator what booster has a short circuit will part of it, either using a block detector or turnout position message.

[@robleathley6024]

So we see that this latest development will be called the Silver Hat. This booster will be another great addition to the stable of IoTT products. Once again I appreciate your detailed explanations for your designs. I am by no mean an electronics expert, or even a competent amateur, but I do find them informative and educational.

[@IoTT]

Yes, Silver that is. Available with 5 and 8 Amp nominal current, and up to six boosters in the same device, four of which can be configured for auto-reversing. Sort of new level for boosters, I guess, at least I am not aware of something similar.

[@robleathley6024]

This is fantastic news Hans! Every time I watch your videos, I keep realizing that it was a good thing selling my NCE system and going with DCCEX and the IoTT devices. Great stuff!!

[@billflude5204]

A slightly off topic question - with DCC-EX and your boards - does it all support RailCom?

[@IoTT]

DCC-EX can't generate the RailCom signal with the currently used interrupt timing. The difficulty is that after each DCC command a brief short circuit is applied to the track. The tolerances for this are very tight and the start of the pulse is in the middle of the clock of the usual DCC bit timing. Personally I do not expect this to be implemented in the near future, but we will see. The booster is designed in a way that it could amplify the RailCom signal, so if it is connected to a command station that supports RailCom, it should work. I have not yet tested it, though.

[@billflude5204]

Thanks for the reply Hans. I have an Intellibox 2 that can do RailCom - happy to test - just about to start playing with iTrain software…

[@philiphillebrand2965]

Hans, another very interesting video. 🙂🙂

[@IoTT]

Many thanks!