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Long Linear Yards With Multiple Operators
Long linear yards that use an operator on each end might benefit from being blocked vertically. In
other words, the yard is split down the middle, creating a left and right center of operation. Two
separate ZoneMaster Booster singles (SZB7) feed each end of the yard.
This is works because yard switchers tend to work at the far ends of the yards, pushing long cuts
of cars down towards the center. There is seldom much power being consumed in the center and
the bulk of the turnouts are at each end.
Short yards, or long yards with long cuts of cars each track should not be blocked vertically if the
cars use metal wheels. There is a high probability that a parked locomotive or car wheel will
bridge the block gaps and isolation will be lost. However, if your cars use plastic wheels, there is
little risk of bridging the gaps except by locomotives.
Horizontal gapping is similar to separating a town from the mainline. Complete sets of tracks are
isolated and fed from different ZoneMaster Boosters.
Using Multiple ZoneMaster Boosters
Staging Yards
We strongly recommend keeping all staged trains (that include locomotives) on dead track.
Power can be switched on and off using the turnout power routing or the use of power cutoff
switches. Either one is a good investments and here are two good reasons to do this.
1. Dead track prevents accidental train movement caused by an operator selecting the wrong
locomotive address on the throttle. In most cases, the error will not be detected until the
incorrectly selected train details against a closed turnout or crashes into another train.
2. If using sound decoders, a huge surge current flows into the decoder for a split second after the
power is first turned on. If the staging yard is full of sound decoder equipped locomotives and
they all power up at the same time, the ZoneMaster booster may shut down. Although the booster
can supply up to 30 Amps of surge current, there is a practical limit.
Power Considerations
A ZoneMaster booster, having either a single or dual output, has a maximum output current
rating of 7 Amps and a maximum surge current rating of 30 Amps. The continuous power rating
is 120 Watts when the DCPS120 power supply set to 15 volts.
If the DCPS 120 is set for a higher voltage, the available of amount of continuous current
decreases. We strongly recommend using the lowest possible voltage setting. Not only does the
amperage go up, but the decoders and locomotive motors will run cooler. An additional benefit is
a big decrease in motor brush noise generation. This is especially important for wireless throttle
users since excessive motor brush noise will decrease the wireless throttle range.
Vertical Gapping
Horizontal Gapping
SZB7 SZB7 SZB7SZB7
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