Power supply to SC1, SC2 etc..

I remember the SC1's did not come with power packs and  the 3 iI have are powered with power supplies (wall warts) from Radio Shack. Back in the day they came with different plugs to match up with the power input socket to the controller. The SC2 should have come with it's own power pack.

Roman posted:

I remember the SC1's did not come with power packs and  the 3 iI have are powered with power supplies (wall warts) from Radio Shack. Back in the day they came with different plugs to match up with the power input socket to the controller. The SC2 should have come with it's own power pack.

You are correct.. The power supply, which I think is same for both, had to be purchased separately for the SC1 or run on track voltage.. I'm looking for ideas to 'better' supply constant voltage.. Or other ideas since I'm planning a new layout.. Fortunately, I can keep the old one up and running for awhile to experiment with new(to me)'stuff' that I want to incorporate in the new layout..

Hey fellas,

The SC-1 did not come with a power supply, you would an accessory transformer. The SC-2's do come with their own wall transformer. Now, the fun part; the new SC-2's come with a more powerful wall transformer than the previous versions had. 

So, how do you tell them apart? Nobody I know of plays with the box, they play with the product, so in the event you are one of those individuals who DOESN'T play with the box you can easily tell if you have a new or older model is the Program/Run markings on the side of the SC-2 case are either white or lime green. White if the older variant, lime green if the newer variant.  The new variant requires the higher amperage wall transformer, whereas the older SC-2 does not require the amperage of the newer wall transformer.

Not sure this necessarily answers the original poster's question, but hey, knowing is half the battle!

(and for the record, yes, using a wall transformer to power your SC-1/SC-2's is preferred, in my book anyway!)

Thanks,

Mike

If you already use constant voltage plugs to power switch machines independent of track, the SC-1 can get it's power from the switch machine once hooked up to the 3 posts on the switch machine. 

I did this with 4 SC-1s on an old layout setup that had 4 O72 switches as crossovers between 2 ovals.  I therefore didn't need to provide any additional wiring for the SC-1 power.

This was a small layout with only one or 2 trains max on the 2 ovals, so concerns about the track serving as the common return and having both train and SC-1/switch machine current flowing there were minimal.  I guess for a huge layout running more trains that could be a factor to consider, but it worked OK for me.  You of course need to have common "ground" between the track feed transformer and the transformer feeding the constant voltage of the switch machine for this to work.

-Dave

I would make just one suggestion, no matter how you power them.

Plug the power supply into an outlet different then the track transformer and controls.

I use the included power supply with the SC-2. The barrel jack can found, so you could build your own cable for multiples.

Moonman posted:

I would make just one suggestion, no matter how you power them.

Plug the power supply into an outlet different then the track transformer and controls.

I use the included power supply with the SC-2. The barrel jack can found, so you could build your own cable for multiples.

Pardon my ignorance, but explain to me what you mean by "barrel jack"?? Would this work for SC1s also or should I 'scrape' them and use all SC2s??

Mikado posted:

Hey fellas,

The SC-1 did not come with a power supply, you would an accessory transformer. The SC-2's do come with their own wall transformer. Now, the fun part; the new SC-2's come with a more powerful wall transformer than the previous versions had. 

So, how do you tell them apart? Nobody I know of plays with the box, they play with the product, so in the event you are one of those individuals who DOESN'T play with the box you can easily tell if you have a new or older model is the Program/Run markings on the side of the SC-2 case are either white or lime green. White if the older variant, lime green if the newer variant.  The new variant requires the higher amperage wall transformer, whereas the older SC-2 does not require the amperage of the newer wall transformer.

Not sure this necessarily answers the original poster's question, but hey, knowing is half the battle!

(and for the record, yes, using a wall transformer to power your SC-1/SC-2's is preferred, in my book anyway!)

Thanks,

Mike

Mike, many thanks for the information, greatly appreciated!!

Thanks for the information guys, PLEASE keep it coming!! An update to my original post: The layout will not be big by many standards, 23'x14' with a yard 6'x6' to the side.. I will be using all Ross switches with DZxxxx switch machines, based on forum advice.. I currently have some DZ 1000s.. Not apposed to spending money on the 'right stuff', but not interested in spending money on new things if my current inventory will work.. Included in the design will be a Ross double crossover and a Ross 4 way yard switch with the amount of switches TBD.. Bear with me, I'm on a steep learning curve here!!

Neel

Mike Reagan is the man! 

As long as I supply 12v AC to the barrel plug does it matter if it comes from the wallwart? My layout is 16 X 58 with 33 turnouts and 16 accessory/uncouplers using 9 SC-2's. I have a hefty 12v AC bus for powering switches and accessories running all around the layout. This is supplied by an dangerously huge transformer that can supply all the power I need. Everything is fused and breaker-ed to manage the high wattage transformer and not wreck anything. but there is no reason why I cant run them off this supply, Ill fuse each one to keep it safe cuz these things arent cheap.

Matt Makens posted:

As long as I supply 12v AC to the barrel plug does it matter if it comes from the wallwart? My layout is 16 X 58 with 33 turnouts and 16 accessory/uncouplers using 9 SC-2's. I have a hefty 12v AC bus for powering switches and accessories running all around the layout. This is supplied by an dangerously huge transformer that can supply all the power I need. Everything is fused and breaker-ed to manage the high wattage transformer and not wreck anything. but there is no reason why I cant run them off this supply, Ill fuse each one to keep it safe cuz these things arent cheap.

No, it doesn't have to be from a wallwart, but don't use a post from the track transformer. You'll get operational issues.

Woodson posted:

Moonman posted:

I would make just one suggestion, no matter how you power them.

Plug the power supply into an outlet different then the track transformer and controls.

I use the included power supply with the SC-2. The barrel jack can found, so you could build your own cable for multiples.

Pardon my ignorance, but explain to me what you mean by "barrel jack"?? Would this work for SC1s also or should I 'scrape' them and use all SC2s??

The connector on the end of the included power supply of the SC-2.

The SC-1's do not have that power connector. I can't tell you how to power the SC-1 or how to make it work with DZ-1000 switch machines.

Barrel jack

Illlet you know how it works out when I get one wired to my rewired layout. I run nothing off track power and after brushing up on my SC-2 manual I remeber that when powering switches the SC-2 will pull power from the first switch which is fine since the switch is powered by the 12v buss

Mikado posted:

Hey fellas,

The SC-1 did not come with a power supply, you would an accessory transformer. The SC-2's do come with their own wall transformer. Now, the fun part; the new SC-2's come with a more powerful wall transformer than the previous versions had. 

So, how do you tell them apart? Nobody I know of plays with the box, they play with the product, so in the event you are one of those individuals who DOESN'T play with the box you can easily tell if you have a new or older model is the Program/Run markings on the side of the SC-2 case are either white or lime green. White if the older variant, lime green if the newer variant.  The new variant requires the higher amperage wall transformer, whereas the older SC-2 does not require the amperage of the newer wall transformer.

Not sure this necessarily answers the original poster's question, but hey, knowing is half the battle!

(and for the record, yes, using a wall transformer to power your SC-1/SC-2's is preferred, in my book anyway!)

Thanks,

Mike

Mike, when you talk about "wall transformer" are you referring to the units sold by Lionel (or elsewhere) or are you talking about a 'dedicated' power supply such as a transformer.. Bear with me, I just want to have things clear in my mind so get things right the first time..

Moonman posted:

Woodson posted:

Moonman posted:

I would make just one suggestion, no matter how you power them.

Plug the power supply into an outlet different then the track transformer and controls.

I use the included power supply with the SC-2. The barrel jack can found, so you could build your own cable for multiples.

Pardon my ignorance, but explain to me what you mean by "barrel jack"?? Would this work for SC1s also or should I 'scrape' them and use all SC2s??

The connector on the end of the included power supply of the SC-2.

The SC-1's do not have that power connector. I can't tell you how to power the SC-1 or how to make it work with DZ-1000 switch machines.

Barrel jack

Carl my SC1s have the same power supply connection as my SC2s.. They just didn't come with a power supply like the SC2s do..