Page 5
Installation
The
TrackSide base station
can be
mounted anywhere between the power
supply and the track. All wiring from power
supply to
TrackSide base station
, and
TrackSide base station
to track, should be
as short as possible to minimize voltage
drops. For long runs, wire gauge should be
at least 16 gauge or better. 12 gauge Land-
scape wiring works well.
The cover/fan assembly is a snap fit onto
the base. Separate the two by pulling up at
the wiring hole.
Power and Track connections to the
Track-
Side base station
are best made using
crimped terminal lugs, but tinned wire can
also be used. The station stop input
(SS,COM) uses screw terminals that ac-
cept small gauge tinned wire.
Power Input
Connect 7 to 25 VDC. Reverse polarity will not cause damage, but the control will not operate. The
TrackSide
base station
will not function below 7vdc input. When proper power is supplied with the correct polarity, the green
LED inside the box will be ON, but only visible with the cover off.
Warning!
Most train “Power Packs” with a knob on them (e.g. the MRC 6200) are very poor power sources. Their
“DC” output is unregulated and unfiltered. The large AC component of their output may cause damage to the
Trackside R/C electronics. If you can measure more than 1 volt AC on the “DC” output of your power pack, it is
not suitable!
It is assumed that power to the system will be switched on/off at the power supply.
Any DC power supply with a regulated output between 7 and 25 VDC will
work. Bridgewerks and Crest Switching power supplies are fine. The greater
the voltage, the faster your top speed will be. There is nothing special about
power supplies made specifically for trains, other than they may have some
built-in meters. Industrial power supplies are much better, lower cost, and
smaller.
Some common fixed output train supplies:
Crest (Aristo-Craft), Elite Dual, 22V/13.8V, 13A/20A, CRE55465, $206
Crest (Aristo-Craft), Elite Single, 24V,15A, CRE55468, $242
Aristo-Craft, Ultima, 18-21V, 10A, ART-5460,
obsolete, not suitable.
Industrial Switching Power Supplies:
Meanwell, 24V,6.5A, LRS-150-24 (our recommendation for most applica-
tions.)
Meanwell, 24V,8.8A, LRS-200-24
Meanwell, 24V,14.6A, LRS-350-24
and many other models by Meanwell, many under $50.
Available from TRCElectronics.com
Must supply your own AC cord/connection to the terminal block.
Track Output
A maximum of 10 amps is available from the board. An ATC automotive fuse is located under the cover of the
box. If you have a derailment or other catastrophe causing a short on your track, it is highly likely that this fuse will
blow. We may ship with a 5 amp fuse installed. You may increase this to 7.5A, or 10A as needed if you blow fuses
during normal operation; i.e. not due to a derailment or direct short. Keeping the fuse size small provides the best
protection for the control.
Meanwell
Industrial Power Supply
LRS-150-24
