Hello. I'm looking at piecing together a system to run some G scale and Gauge 3 (2.5" gauge) trains. Am hoping i can get up to 24v. Power supply is not a problem. Documentation on motor shields is incomplete on some, but Pololu says up to 28v. I'm looking at the digitrax DG583S decoder. I'm not seeing at info on voltage. https://www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/dg583s/ Also, if someone knows of a cheaper decoder that can deliver 5/10 amps please let me know. YankeeDabler has it for $56. I'm new to this DCC stuff and can use all the help i can get. Please let me know if you think i can safely run 24v. Thanks. Marty
What is the purpose of having a 24V system as opposed to 12V? I'm assuming it's because your large scale motors are rated at that voltage. Is there a de-facto standard in G scale for motor voltage? If so, I'd assume the digitrax decoder will be fine.
Digitrax does seem reticent to name a max voltage these days. JMRI might provide a clue as to why. They found some of their decoders were rated for 20V, but anything over fifteen was liable to let the smoke out of them. https://www.jmri.org/help/en/html/hardware/loconet/Digitrax.shtml A voltage limiter to the electronics might be wise.
you probably won't be running your locos at maximum speed anyways .... 12 to 15 volt will be sufficient and all the electronics can handle that easily ..
It's true. Twelve volts DC starts your car engine. There are also these things called amps, and they make big power too.
That JMRI discussion was not in reference to any Digitrax decoders, but was specific to the PR3, the Digitrax sound decoder programmer/PC to Loconet interface. According to the NMRA Standards and Recommended Practices, S-9.1 DCC Electrical Standard, decoders marketed as "Large Scale" are required to operate at voltages up to 27 volts (in fact, so are decoders marketed for HO/S/O scales).
