Track Length

[newfiegod]

I know there is probably no definite answer but I am constantly upgrading and extending my track in small intervals......how long can I make my track before I have to add another power supply? I have a carrera gt heroes digital set that was about 30 ft of track when I started, now I have added a pit stop and lap counter which added about 6-8 straight pieces so i estimate to be at about 35-40 feet. How do you intergrate another power supply? Thank you.

[scrjon]

You will need power taps, not another power supply, and you can make power taps very easy, just strip back 1 1\2 inch and you can slide it into the bottom of your straights, use the straight near your PS and add one every 15 track joints hope this helps

[scalexdoza]

I find my track works ok without any taps and its 46ft.
I guess this could be because i only run the cars at 20% and without rear mags so there would be less current draw?

I`d imagine with cars at full power it would be required...

I will be doing mine over the next week.

[dw5555]

Originally Posted by scrjon

You will need power taps, not another power supply, and you can make power taps very easy, just strip back 1 1\2 inch and you can slide it into the bottom of your straights, use the straight near your PS and add one every 15 track joints hope this helps

Agreed...I'm at 80 ft and still using the stock wall power. Lottsa power taps.
Dave

[mbx4xr]

My track is about 54 feet in length, with 2 double lane changers, a left and right changer and the pit lane. I have five power taps in mine. I use the stock D132 power supply and I can run five magless 124 scales at full power without any issues. I also rum five D132 with mags and they seem to run with out issues. I do notice power drops when I add the sixth car.

I made my power taps out of an old outdoor extension cord using the techniques described earlier. I used colored electrical tape to mark each wire so it was easier to get them on the correct lane. It gets a bit confusing with the change of direction and turning them upside down to work on them.

Good luck.

Jeff

[dw5555]

Let me add that I'm using 1/32. If you're using 1/24 it's a different story. Not because of the length but the number of cars running. Then a different transformer would be advisable.
Dave

[guinner16]

A different transformer will come into play with 4 D124 cars run with mags (The stock PS usually works fine with 3 cars. Other than that a stock power supply should work fine. Having said that I like having the adjustability of an aftermarket variable power supply, even if all that power is not needed.