Does anyone know if this is a bad idea?

I am planning on powering a potentially very large HO modular layout. Since I have an 8 amp booster and an 8 amp command station, I was thinking of using it but setting it on the G-scale setting to get the most out of the potential service. Using the higher setting should also reduce the heat buildup on the units.

The analog loco capability will be off and so the only locos on the layout will have decoders.  Does anyone do this now or have any experience doing this? Does it work or am I asking for trouble?

I must make a decision where to mount a Digitrax PS2012 power supply so I can route 120v to the correct location. The plan is to use two boosters each centered in the middle of their respective buss runs to keep the buss length below the maximum 50' Digitrax recommends. The single PS2012 will power both boosters. I would like to mount the power supply 20-30 wire run feet from either booster. The run from power supply to boosters goes up to the ceiling, through the joists, and drops at the booster location. This creates the run lengths shown.

I am laying the track on my second level at this point. I have been thinking of installing a signal system at some point, so I might as well think about it now. I am looking for a simple system just to let me know if the route up ahead is clear. Nothing too complicated. IR detectors are a possibility. Any idea you guys have or systems that have worked for you would be great.

thanks everyone in advance.

Jim Lowery

I am a bit puzzled about which decoder one of my engines should take.

Its a Kato EMD SD45 (CP 5494)

According to TCS and Litchfield Station this should take the K1D4 decoder but when I open the shell I have a split board configuration and the engine is clearly not "drop in" ready. It looks like a CN-GP would be more appropriate.

Did Kato release a non-DCC version of the SD-45 way back when. If so, has anyone converted it to DCC?

Thanks