Tool Boxes

I have built four Large Scale and three N / HO rigs similar to the one pictured below. This rig has DC PMW controllers installed, but I can replaces all of these controllers in my Large Scale box with RF receivers or DCC Controlers and Boosters. The rig is capable of handling up to six channels. There are two paralleled 24 VDC / 24 Amp switch-mode power supplies with cooling fans installed below the mounting panel. Above the panel there is adequate room to stow two throttles and all the cables. Although not shown in this picture, I have installed LED lighting strips and spare part holders in the open spaces in the lid.

My N / HO box is smaller with power switch / circuit breaker, switch-mode power supply and Controller / Booster(s) mounted in the bottom again leaving space for throttles, cables and tools in the tray. The DCC panel, filtered vent fan and all connectors have been installed into the sides of the N / HO box to allow the box to be closed during operation. I am working on a small Linux / JMRI system (See Proposed Path To WIFI Open Standards) which will be installed in the next version.

I have chosen to use the heavy duty tool boxes such as the Stanley FatMax above to assure that the components survive rough handling. These boxes are actually designed to be used as stools, and being water tight has come in handy on rainy garden layouts and for clumsy operators. Anderson Powerpole connectors, as recommend by the NMRA and N-Track, are used for most internal and all external connections. See the color coded connectors in lower right of the picture.

Booster Box link

Here's a PDF on building a booster box from the Coldslap Free-mo group

http://www.members.shaw.ca/coldslap/boosterbox.pdf

This is the method I want to follow......hope this helps!

Tim Moran

Akron, OH

Thanks!

I built this back when........

.........I first started using DCC and installing decoders.  I got so sick of the mess and trouble of hooking and un hooking wires, getting a power pack to check DC then setting up the DCC system I decided to put it all together in one place.  While I mainly use this on my bench, I do use it as a portable DCC tester on my uncompleted layout.

Basically I built the box out of 1/4 " oak pieces available at Lowes and a white Plexiglas top.

Basic layout of the test stand with HO (for On30) track.

Panel allowing DC or DCC and Program vs Running in DCC (not marked but controlled by the black double/pole double/throw center off switch to the right of the DCC label-white switch on left turns booster on and off and white switch to right turns the RRamp Meter on and off )

DC or DCC out to anywhere it's needed.

Plug for handheld throttle. I use the Prodigy Advance squared with the Express Command Station so I can program Decoders.

This shows O standard Gauge Track over the On30 track with rollers to test O scale loco.

The guts.

Prodigy Express Box used as it's cheap second hand and much smaller than the Advanced box.

Prodigy power wall wart and the guts of a cheap MRC power pack.  All 110 volt connections are made in the sealed black boxes on the right for safety.

On the left is the RRamp meter from Tony's Trains as well as well as a Sountraxx Booster for programming of sound decoders.

It just seemed to me I should include DC and a test track if I was going to the trouble to make a "remote" power box. 

It really was not that hard to make this tester box so if anyone has any questions, please ask.

Peter

Tim, I was reading............

..............through Larry's site about building the "booster box".  My layout is smallish so I don't use a booster at all.  Do you by any chance have anything from him about building the command station box for the OP?  I'm an MRC guy so for all I know you need both a command station and a booster to run Digitrax.  My bad.

Peter

Peter, The Digitrax DB150

Peter,

The Digitrax DB150 the creator of the BoosterBox used can be used as a booster or a command station.

I really like your setup as well, it would fit my needs very well, as I run my own decoder installation service for the local railroaders. I've been there, done that when it comes to the tangle of wires on the bench.

Thanks,

Andrew

Leo Bicknell did something

Leo Bicknell did something very similar for NTrak modules.  There was a whole series of posts and videos about it, but it all appears to be missing.  Leo, where are you??