Has anyone used a Lionel 180W Powerhouse to power a NCE 10 amp DCC Booster

I purchased a used Lionel 180W Powerhouse  brick on the "bay" at a nice price  and can report (as others have)  that using a 180W brick is a viable option for driving a NCE 10 amp DCC booster.  I like that the Lionel brick is internally protected and is quiet (no fan).  As previously posted I protect the output (track) side of my boosters with DCC Specialties fast acting/auto resetting PowerShield digital breakers.

Brendon - I adjust the output (DCC voltage) of my 4 NCE PB110a's to the same voltage (I use 15.6v ) so that there are minimal differences at the gaps between power districts. When I replaced the noisy fan cooled switching power supply with the Lionel brick I didn't make any voltage adjustments at the booster.

  If I were to add a 5th booster I'd also consider the power supply Thor mentioned (under $80).  Thanks all for your input.

Thanks for the update.

Brendan

Dear Ed,

The Cherry Valley club is possibly in the market to purchase either the Brutus or the Brick and want to check with you to see how the Brick has performed since install in 2019.

Thank you. John P. Dunn Sr. President CVMRR

Hi John

the Lionel 180w brick has proven to be a very successful power feed to one of my NCE 10 amp boostes.  As they are relatively easy to find used in good condition they are an economical power source for O Scale 2 rail NCE 10 amp DCC layouts.

Ed

@Keystoned Ed posted:

Hi John

the Lionel 180w brick has proven to be a very successful power feed to one of my NCE 10 amp boostes.  As they are relatively easy to find used in good condition they are an economical power source for O Scale 2 rail NCE 10 amp DCC layouts.

Ed

Ed,

How did you connect the Powerhouse to the NCE booster? Did you find an adapter, make an adapter, or cut the cable?

PLEASE do not cut the cable.  The newest PH-180's have an interlock in the connector which was apparently added in order to meet the latest safety standards.  If you cut the connector off, then off goes the interlock as well, which will render the PH-180 useless.

Now, it can be fixed but the process adds a great deal of extra work that isn't necessary.

Click on the following for more details:

         Lionel 180 watt powerhouse 6-85226- Problem & Solution (7/8/20) | StevefromPA

Mike

Dear Ed,

just wanted to check how you hooked up the Lionel brick to the NCE system.

Cherry Valley club purchased 11 of the bricks to replace and add districts on the layout and could use some of your hands on advise.
Also, would a Lionel 6-41496 cable adapter be suitable for this installation?

thank you in advance.

John P Dunn Sr President CVMRR

Hi John

I purchased a Molex 3 pin connector to mate with the Lionel brick's plug.  I simply ran the outputs from the Molex to the input of the NCE 10 amp booster.  I believe some call the 3 pin Molex a motorcycle connector.  I don't recall exactly who I purcheased the 3 pin Molex from on eBay, but I found similar male and female ones on Amazon.  Recommend you read the thread referenced in Mikes' thread above for a discussion about the role of the 3rd pin in the connector.  It doesn't carry current but serves in an interlocking role.   

Ed