MERG DCC system

Discussion in 'DCC Control' started by paul_l, Mar 22, 2018.

  1. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    The postie has been busy ......

    Arrived today


    1 x CAN-CMD DCC command station kit 91


    1 x CAN-CAB DCC Throttle


    2 x DCC Booster

    Why 2 boosters - I will use one built in to a case with the command station, to give a combined unit with 5A output. The second will be a standalone 5A booster, that can be used either with the MERG Command station and booster, or as a 5A booster for my PowerCab - Toto has threatened to bring the big boys over to play.

    The handset is the one that is worrying me as it's surface mount and I've not built one of those type kits - yet :whatever:

    Build threads will follow - eventually.

    Paul
     
  2. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    i'm sure you'll pass with flying colours. :thumbs:
     
  3. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Is that based on the big bang theory :avatar:

    Paul
     
  4. Toto

    Toto I'm best ignored Staff Member Founder Administrator

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    Nope ....... Toto's I know better theory. :tophat:
     
  5. Colin_W

    Colin_W Full Member

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    Hi Paul, you brave little solder/soldier you. There is a demo on you tube of this very kit being assembled. Might be worth a look but I think you will be fine.
    Col
     
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  6. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    I shall be interested to see this go together, Paul, more "Sorcery" from the 'Dark side' by the look of things!:giggle::giggle::giggle:

    Keith.
     
  7. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    and there's a part 2 as well - it'll be a learning process, but better make sure I put the big irons away, just in case :avatar: - guess what I'll be watching later when the boss goes to bed.

    Paul
     
  8. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Well, actually that looks quite easy - thanks for that Colin.

    When out earlier I called into Maplins, and picked up some Ally cases, the smaller one for the standalone booster, the larger one for the combined Command station and booster.

    Hammond Eddystone Die-cast Aluminium Shallow Lid Thin Wall 120x95x34mm

    Hammond Eddystone Die-cast Aluminium Shallow Lid Thin Wall 187x120x57mm

    Both half price £8.60 for the pair

    Being alluminium, they can machined, so I may get to practice with the cnc, to engrave labels, vents and mounting holes. Not sure about the base and sides but the lids certainly look a potential target. Actually at that price there may be a few more heading my way tomorrow.

    Paul
     
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  9. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Hi Paul.
    Am I correct in presuming that the "DCC Booster" kits are basically a regulated 5 or 10 amp 15-ish volt power supply??? I'm asking as I might consider one for my setup rather than the much pricier Lenz one to match the rest of my system.
    Keith.
     
  10. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Still reading the instructions, but as far as I am aware, the track output from your command station (in my case either the MERG CAN-CMD or NCE powercab), is connected to the DCC in on the MERG DCC booster(s). The kit is suitable for 12 to 24V track voltage at either 5A or 10A - the parts are included to build both versions, but the 10A version needs additional heatsinks (a lump of ally or metal case).

    Paul
     
  11. Keith M

    Keith M Staff Member Moderator

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    Thanks for that, Paul, I may well look closer at one now, as I'm considering splitting my layout power supply-wise as I currently (no pun intended!) have the Lenz 5 amp unit, but with my 4 Lenz hand throttles I could then have the option of running more loco's simultaneously without power supply issues, although I'd still need a Lenz add-on unit to link it in.
    Keith.
     
  12. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Keith

    The CAN-CMD and the NCE PowerCab are both 1.5A DCC command stations, so I will take the Track out from either command station and feed that into two or more Boosters, each booster then having a cutout module between it and the track district or accessory bus it will feed. The advantage being if I have a short in any one area it will not take out the rest of the layout, and as most shorts are caused by a loco going against a set of points incorrectly set, the accessory bus will be still powered to allow the point to be correctly set.

    Paul
     
  13. Eve

    Eve Full Member

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    Hmmm, Does anyone know how to connect a MERG Booster to work with a NCE 5 Amp Power Pro, as an separate booster for another power district??? I haven't looked at this problem in detail yet myself, but I'm absolutely interested in MERG and NCE inter connectivity, so I'm just taking a short cut by asking if others already know!

    Cheers,
    Eve
     
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  14. paul_l

    paul_l Staff Member Administrator

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    Hi Eve

    Now I have to give a warning, there is a new version of the MERG booster, so connectivity is likely to be different (different layout) same basic function but the jumpers may be different.

    On the version I have, on jumper 1 there are two DCC input connections pins 3 & 5 I think.

    You connect two wires from the track output of the command station (only need to be thin as they're only used to carry the signals) to the DCC in terminals of the MERG booster.
    The booster needs it's own power supply, and will provide its own DCC output to its power district.

    In theory this would also work for other systems as well - not tried it so can't vouch for it.

    Paul
     
  15. bobcom52

    bobcom52 Full Member

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    We have one of those up here in the wilds of the Aussie bush. I encouraged a mate's son to build the Merg DCC system as a bonding project with his father. The kits went together well, only requiring a small input from me. I was very impressed with how well it worked, the throttles were nice to use. Only limitation for me would be the lack of radio versions of the throttles, but for those who don't mind using their phones there would be a way of using them.
    cheers
    Bob
     

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