tams elektronik B-4 User manual

tams elektronik
Manual
Booster B-4
Item no. 40-19407 | 40-19417
tams elektronik
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-4
Table of contents
1. hy Boosters?............................................................................3
2. Getting started............................................................................4
3. Safety instructions.......................................................................6
4. Your B-4.....................................................................................7
5. Splitting your model railway layout.............................................13
6. Connecting the B-4....................................................................14
7. Settings....................................................................................17
7.1.Programming the B-4...........................................................18
7.2.Setting the B-4 with jumpers................................................21
8. Operation.................................................................................23
9. Check list for troubleshooting.....................................................25
10. Guarantee bond........................................................................28
11. EU declaration of conformity.....................................................29
12. Declarations conforming to the EEE directive...........................29
© 09/2016 Tams Elektronik GmbH
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, without prior permission in writing from Tams
Elektronik GmbH. Subject to technical modification.
RailCom® is the registered trademark of:
Lenz Elektronik GmbH | Vogelsang 14 | DE-35398 Gießen
To increase the text´s readability we have refrained from refering to
this point in each instance.
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tams elektronik
Booster B-4 English
1. hy Boosters?
The three essential functions of boosters are:
1. Supplying the power needed for the operation of digital controlled
locomotives and points and other digital consumers.
2. Bringing the voltage to the rails, in order to make sure that all
vehicle and accessory decoders receive the digital switching and
control commands.
3. Making sure the current is switched off in case of a short-circuit on
the layout (e.g. when a vehicle derails), in order to prevent
damages at rails and vehicles.
In layouts monitored by RailCom the booster also provides the so-called
RailCom-cutout needed to transfer RailCom-feedback data.
You can measure the power consumption as follows:
1 locomotive gauge N 600 mA
1 locomotive gauge H0 800 mA
1 locomotive gauge 0 1.000 mA
wagon light 50 - 200 mA
another consumer
(such as a sound module) 100 - 300 mA
reserve for points 10% of the calculated sum of
power consumption
The Booster B-4 can provide 2 to 5 A current depending on the
settings. If your overall power demand exceeds the capacity of one
booster you have to connect additional boosters according to the
special requirements of your layout.
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-4
2. Getting started
How to use this manual
This manual gives step-by-step instructions for safe and correct
connecting of the booster, and operation. Before you start, we advise
you to read the whole manual, particularly the chapter on safety
instructions and the checklist for trouble shooting. You will then know
where to take care and how to prevent mistakes which take a lot of
effort to correct.
Keep this manual safely so that you can solve problems in the future. If
you pass the booster on to another person, please pass on the manual
with it.
Intended use
The booster B-4 is designed to be operated according to the
instructions in this manual in model building, especially in digital model
railroad layouts. Any other use is inappropriate and invalidates any
guarantees.
The booster B-4 should not be mounted by children under the age of
14.
Reading, understanding and following the instructions in this manual
are mandatory for the user.
Checking the contents
Please make sure that your package contains:
Booster B-4, depending on the version
without display (item no. 40-90407) or
with display (item no. 40-90417);
one 3-pin and one 4-pin connector;
five short-circuit jumpers;
a CD (containing the manual and further information).
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Booster B-4 English
Required materials
In order to connect the booster you need:
ire. Recommended diameter:
for the connection to the transformer and the rails: > 1,5 mm²
for the connection to the digital control unit: > 0,25 mm²
A transformer. The recommended voltage and the minimum power
of the transformer depend on the desired settings.
Determining the transformer´s voltage
Desired track voltage Recommended transformer´s voltage
AC voltage DC voltage
10 – 12 V 12 V
desired track voltage
+ 2 V
12 – 15 V 15 V
15 – 18 V 16 V
18 – 22 V 18 V
> 22 V 20 V
Determining the transformer´s minimum power
desired track voltage x desired interrupting current
= minimum transformer´s power
Example: 18 V x 3 A = 54 VA
lease note:
Use a transformer with a nominal voltage not much higher than the
desired track voltage. The power resulting has to be dissipated as heat
by the booster otherwise. hen this power is too high, the booster
overheats and switches off.
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English Booster B-4
3. Safety instructions
Risk of fire
The booster is cooled by a ventilating fan to prevent overheating. Thus
be careful to allow the air to flow unhindered through the ventilation
slits at the booster´s top and back surface. If the vents are blocked
components can overheat and catch fire.
Risk of electric shock
Touching powered, live components,
touching conducting components which are live due to malfunction,
short circuits and connecting the circuit to another voltage than
specified,
impermissibly high humidity and condensation build up
can cause serious injury due to electrical shock. Take the following
precautions to prevent this danger:
Only operate indoors in a dry environment.
iring should only be carried out when the booster is disconnected.
Only use low power for this device as described in this manual and
only use certified transformers.
Only connect the transformer in an authorised manner to the house
power supply.
Use adequetly thick cable for all wiring. Too thin a cable can
overheat.
If the layout is exposed to condensation, allow at least two hours for
drying out.
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tams elektronik
Booster B-4 English
4. Your B-4
Technical specifications
Supply voltage 12 – 20 V AC voltage
12 – 26 V DC voltage
Maximum output current 2, 3, 4 or 5 A
Output voltage 10 – 24 volts digital voltage
Power max. 120 att
Digital formats DCC, Motorola,
mfx (control commands only)
Feedback log RailCom
Interface DCC-conforming booster port
(3-pole)
Track signal symmetrical
Protected to IP 00
Ambient temperature in use 0 ... +60 °C
Ambient temperature in storage -10 ... +80 °C
Comparative humidity allowed max. 85 %
Dimensions approx. 95 x 135 x 45 mm
eight - without display
- with display
approx. 238 g
approx. 254 g
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-4
Front side of the B-4
1 LED
2 7- segment display
(item no. 40-19417)
Data formats and ports
The B-4 is a multi protocol booster and capable of amplifying data sent
in the Motorola or the DCC format. It transmits control commands in
mfx-format as well, but no mfx feedback signals.
It can be connected either to a DCC-conforming booster port or to the
rail output of the control unit.
RailCom
The booster B-4 can provide the so-called RailCom-cutout needed to
transfer RailCom-feedback data in RailCom-monitored sections.
hen using the B-4 with control units sending a DCC signal but not
compatible to RailCom, providing the RailCom-cutout can cause
malfunction. Some older DCC vehicle decoders and current decoders
(especially of US American manufacturers) which are not designed for
use with Railcom, do not react to driving commands properly with the
RailCom cutout activated. ith sound decoders not compatible to
RailCom interferences in the sound playback can occur.
Thus with the B-4 it is possible to switch RailCom on or off (at delivery
RailCom is switched on). ith pure Motorola control units, malfunction
due to sending the RailCom-cutout is impossible on principle.
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tams elektronik
Booster B-4 English
Using the ABC-braking method
The booster amplifies the track signal completely symmetrically. This
allows the ABC-braking method to be used in DCC-controlled layouts.
The DCC-input of the booster B-4 is isolated through an opto-coupler.
Balanced track voltage
The booster B-4 provides a regulated track voltage, which can be set to
a value between 10 and 24 V in 1 V-steps. At delivery the track voltage
is set to 18 V.
Regulating the track voltage to a constant value prevents changes in
locomotive speeds and lighting brightness, resulting from voltage
variations.
Rated size Recommended track
voltage
Value in state of delivery
Z 12 V
N and TT 14 V
H0 18 V 18 V
0, I and II 20 - 24 V
Short-circuit protection
The Booster B-4 provides an intergrated short circuit breaking in shape
of an integrated current limitation. This causes the booster to switch off
automatically when a short circuit occurs at the track output and thus
prevents damages to the booster, the tracks and the vehicles.
hen the short circuit feedback line is connected to the booster port of
the control unit, the B-4 sends a feedback to the DCC control unit when
a short circuit occurs and then the control unit switches off the booster.
The short circuit sensitivity or the interrupting current, can be set to 2,
3, 4 or 5 A. In order to prevent damage effectively when a short circuit
occurs, the short circuit sensitivity should not be set too high.
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English Booster B-4
Rated size Recommended short
circuit sensivity
(= interrupting current)
Value in state of delivery
Z and N 2 A
TT and H0 3 A
0, I and II > 4 A 5 A
lease note:
The set short circuit sensitivity should not exceed the maximum
transformer´s current. In case the maximum interrupting current is
higher than the maximum transformer´s current, the booster cannot
detect an overcurrent and thus does not switch off the current to
protect electronic components, vehicles and the tracks from damage.
Risk of fire !
Automatic switching on after a short circuit
After a short circuit the B-4 switches on automatically after 4 to 10
seconds (adjustable). If the short circuit is still there, it switches off
again immediately.
In state of delivery, the automatic switching on will be interrupted for
one minute after the booster has been switched on and off five times.
This autostarting time can be set individually:
to the set autostarting time after a short circuit (4 to 10 seconds) or
to an individual autostarting time between 0 and 90 seconds
(adjustable in 10 sec.-steps).
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tams elektronik
Booster B-4 English
Short circuit warning
As a basis for a PC controlled booster management the B-4 can send a
short circuit warning when a limiting value underneath the set
interrupting current is exceeded. The PC control can switch off carriage
lighting in an overloaded booster section then, for example, when a
short circuit due to overload is imminent.
The limiting value for the short circuit warning can be set from a value
0 to 1.0 A below the set interrupting current. The short circuit warning
is sent as in form of a second pulse periodical switching on and off in
the short circuit feedback line.
Switching off at overtemperature
hen overheating the booster switches off automatically for safety
reasons. Possible causes:
Hindrance to the flow of air through the ventilation slits at the
booster´s top and back surface.
Significantly higher rated voltage of the transformer than the set
track voltage in combination with a high current consumption.
Watchdog function
ith this function the control unit (usually controlled by a PC software)
sends in intervalls of 5 seconds a DCC points switching command to an
address assigned to the B-4. As soon as the B-4 does not receive these
commands any longer, it switches off automatically.
After switching on the booster the watchdog function is initially inactive.
It will be activated by sending a switching command to the assigned
points address. This allows you to run the layout without a PC control
and without deactivating the watchdog function.
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English Booster B-4
Switching on and off the B-4 with a DCC points switching
command
The B-4 can be switched on and off via a a DCC point switching
command sent to an assigned points address.
Points "straight" à B-4 on
Points "branch" à B-4 off
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Booster B-4 English
5. Splitting your model railway layout
Split your model railway layout in several track sections electrically
isolating them from each other. Every section has to be supplied by a
booster of its’ own. In each section a maximum of three to five
locomotives should run at the same time. The following divisions are
useful:
station
engine sheds
the main lines (if necessary in several sections)
the branch lines (if necessary in several sections)
Make sure that section borders are not crossed too often.
Isolate the borders between the booster sections as follows:
ith 2-rail systems: one rail. Be sure to isolate in all booster sections
on the same rail ("left" or "right"). In large confusing layouts it is
recommended to isolate both rails.
ith 3-rail systems: the middle conductor.
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-4
6. Connecting the B-4
Connections control unit
E Short circuit report wire
D Ground
C Data
Connections
Rear side of the B-4
AConnections to the control unit
and following boosters
BConnections to the
transformer and the tracks
C data (+) 1 transformer
D earth / data (-) 2 transformer
E short circuit feedback line 3 outer conductor / left rail
4 middle conductor / right rail
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Booster B-4 English
In order to connect the cables to the booster use the enclosed
connectors which are designed to screw on the cables.
lease note:
Do not block the flow of air through the ventilation slits at the booster
´s top and back surface, otherwise the booster can overheat. Risk of
fire! You should never cover the ventilation slits. hen connecting the
booster be sure to keep sufficient distance to other devices, walls, and
the like.
Connecting the control unit
You can connect the connection "A" of the booster either to
the control unit´s track output (connections C and D only) or
the control unit´s DCC booster connection.
Check that the pin assignment of the control unit´s booster interface
corresponds to that of the booster.
If you want the control unit to switch off the booster when a short
circuit occurs, you have to connect the short circuit feedback line. If
you do not connect the short circuit feedback line, the booster will be
switched off automatically when a short circuit occurs and automatically
on again after a set time.
Connecting an additional booster
In order to connect another booster connect an additional cable to each
of the three connections of "A" .
Hint: Only use boosters of one type and made by one manufacturer to
avoid problems such as:
Problems with data transfer to the decoders.
Current leakage that make locomotives move by themselves when
other locomotives cross the borders between two track sections.
Short circuits when crossing sections.
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English Booster B-4
Connecting the tracks
Connect the booster´s track port to both rails (with 2-rail systems) or to
one rail and the middle conductor (with 3-rail systems). These
connections should be repeated every 2-3 meters, because the
resistance at the connection points of the tracks is quite high. hen
choosing too high intervals, problems with the short circuit indication or
the power supply of the vehicles may occur.
lease note:
The connection order of the rails (or the rail and the middle conductor)
to the two poles of the track port is not significant, if you haven’t
already connected a booster to your layout. If you have then please
note:
The left pole of the second booster´s track port has to be connected
to the same rail as the left pole of the booster already connected. The
same goes of course for the right pole of the boosters´track ports. In
case the connections are mixed up short circuits will occur when
vehicles cross the boundries of the track sections.
Connecting the power supply
Connect the transformer to the booster´s transformer port. The
required voltage and the minimum power of the booster depend on the
desired track voltage and the desired interrupting current. See section
"Determining the necessary transformer´s voltage" on page 5.
lease note:
You must not interchange the connections to the tracks and to the
transformer. Interchanging these connections normally causes
damages at the booster, in the worst case beyond repair.
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tams elektronik
Booster B-4 English
7. Settings
The booster B-4 can be set to individual requirements by programming
on main (POM) or by inserting short-circuit terminations (jumpers).
Possible settings Manu-
facturers
settings
Setting
with
jumpers
Track voltage 10 – 24 V, to be set
in 1 V-steps
18 V yes,
16 – 22 V
Autostarting time
after a short circuit
4 – 10 Sek., to be
set in 1 sec.-steps
4 sec. 4 sec.or
10 sec.
Max. track current
(interrupting
current after a short
circuit)
2 – 5 A,
to be set in
1 A-steps
5 A yes
RailCom active or inactive active no
Switching off with a
DCC points
switching command
active or inactive /
assigning the points
address
inactive no
atchdog active or inactive /
assigning the points
address
inactive no
Limiting value for
short circuit
warning
0,2 – 1 A,
to be set in
0,2 A-steps
0 A
inactive
no
Autostarting time
after 5 short circuits
10 – 100 sec. 60 sec. no
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tams elektronik
English Booster B-4
7.1. Programming the B-4
The booster B-4 is set by programming on main (POM). This is possible
only with control units supporting this programming mode.
In order to start programming the booster, input the value "62" for
CV#7 of any DCC locomotive address. Proceed as described in the
manual of your control unit. This input has no effect on a decoder with
the chosen address, as locomotive decoders do not allow setting a
value for CV#7 (= version).
After having started the programming mode (input the value "62" for
CV#7), the LED flashes quickly with a yellow light. You can now alter
the booster´s settings by choosing CV#7 again and inputting a value
from the following list.
If you do not input a value for CV#7 within 30 seconds, the
programming mode will be switched off. After setting the value the
programming mode is ended automatically. If you want to alter further
settings, you have to start the programming mode again by inputting
the value "62" for CV#7.
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Booster B-4 English
Function Value for
CV#7
Settings / Remarks
Reset 8 Reset. Sets the values back to the
default values.
Track voltage
(output value)
Default value: 18 V
10 10 volts
11 11 volts
12 12 volts
... 13 ... 23 volts
24 24 volts
Autostarting time
after a short circuit
Default value:
4 sec.
34 4 seconds
35 5 seconds
36 6 seconds
... 7 ... 9 seconds
40 10 seconds
Max. track current
(interrupting
current)
Default value: 5 A
42 2 amperes
43 3 amperes
44 4 amperes
45 5 amperes
RailCom. Default
value: active
51 active
52 inactive
Switching off with a
DCC points
switching command
Default value:
inactive
71 active
72 inactive
73 Change over into the progr. mode.
hen within 30 sec. a DCC points switching
command is set, the B-4 takes over the
corresponding points address to release the
switching off funtion.
Condition: Switching off function = "active".
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English Booster B-4
Function Value
for
CV#7
Settings / Remarks
atchdog
Default value:
inactive
74 active
75 inactive
76 Change over into the programming mode.
hen within 30 sec. a DCC points switching command is
set, the B-4 takes over the corresponding points address
to release the watchdog funtion.
Condition: atchdog funtion = "active".
Limiting value
for short circuit
warning
Default value:
0 A
81 0 A Hint: The short circuit warning will
be sent, when the set interrupting
current less the value is exceeded.
Example:
Interrupting current = 3 A
set = 0,2 A
à limiting value for the short
circuit warning = 2,8 A
82 0,2 A
83 0,4 A
84 0,6 A
85 0,8 A
86 1,0 A
Autostarting
time after 5
short circuits
Default value:
60 sec.
100 = set autostarting time after a short circuit
101 10 Sekunden
102 20 Sekunden
103 30 Sekunden
... 40 - 80 Sekunden
109 90 Sekunden
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