tams elektronik Booster B-3 User manual

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Booster B-3 n
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nAnleitung
nManual
nMode d´emploi
nHandleiding
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Art.-Nr. 25-01-140 n
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nDeutsch 3
nEnglish 14
nFrançais 24
nNederlands 34
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© 01/2007 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Alle Rechte, insbesondere das Recht der
Vervielfältigung und Verbreitung sowie der
Übersetzung vorbehalten. Vervielfältigungen
und Reproduktionen in jeglicher Form
bedürfen der schriftlichen Genehmigung
durch die Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Technische Änderungen vorbehalten.
© 01/2007 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.
© 01/2007 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Tout droits réservés, en particulier les droits
de reproduction et de diffusion ainsi que le
traduction. Toute duplication ou
reproduction sous quelque forme que ce soit
nécessite l´accord écrit de la societé Tams
Elektronik GmbH.
Sous réserve de modifications techniques.
© 01/2007 Tams Elektronik GmbH
Alle rechten voorbehouden. Niets uit deze
publicatie mag worden vermenigvuldigd
opgeslagen of openbaar gemaakt, zonder
voorafgaande schriftelijke toestemming van
Tams Elektronik GmbH.
Technische wijzigingen voorbehouden.
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English B-3
Page 14
Table of contents
1. Why Boosters? 14
2. Getting started 15
3. Your B-3 16
4. Splitting your model railway layout 17
5. Connecting the B-3 18
6. Settings 20
7. Operation 21
8. Check list for troubleshooting 21
9. Technical specifications 22
10. EMV, CE and warranty 22
Connection to a Märklin**-compatible port (Fig. 1) I
Connection to a DCC-compatible port (Fig. 2) II
(Pages I to II in the middle of this manual are removeable.)
1. Why Boosters?
Boosters amplify the digital signals sent from the control unit and
supply a connected track with power.
You can measure the power consumption as follows:
§a locomotive: Gauge N: 600 mA / Gauge H0: 800 mA /
>Gauge 0: 1 A
§a 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-3 can provide 2,5 A. 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.

B-3 English
Page 15
2. Getting started
Checking contents
Please make sure that your package contains:
§Booster B-3
§5-pin connecting cable
§this manual.
Required materials
In order to connect the booster you need:
§Wire. Recommended diameter for all connections : >1,5mm².
§When using the DCC-compatible port: a 3-pin connecting cable.
§Transformer with 16-18 V voltage and minimum 2,5 A current
(= minimum 45 VA)
Saftey instructions
The booster should only be used in digital model railways in
concordance with these instructions. It is not suitable for use by
children under 14. Incorrect use can be dangerous. In particular there
is a risk of electric shock through contact with metal parts under power,
especially when an incorrect voltage is used, or when operated in a too
humid or wet environment. Therefore the following precations should
be observed:
§Wiring should only be carry out when the control is disconnected.
§Only operate indoors in a dry environment.
§Only use proprietry transformers with the correct voltage.
§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.

English B-3
Page 16
3. Your B-3
Data formats and ports
The B-3 is a multi protocol booster for your model railroad and capable
of amplifying data sent in the Motorola or the DCC format. It can be
connected either to a port for a Märklin**-compatible booster or to a
DCC-conforming booster port.
Information: Märklin**-compatible boosters and boosters for the
DCC-system are switched on and off in different ways:
§with Märklin**-compatible boosters by using their own signal
switched with an extra pin on the booster port.
§with DCC boosters by applying a data signal at the booster port of
the central unit.
Balanced track voltage
The booster B-3 is balanced, that means it keeps the power in a
connected track section constant on 19 V – independent of the actual
power consumption. This prevents changes in locomotive speeds and
the lightings´ brightness resulting from voltage variations.
1 Track port
2Märklin* booster port
3DCC booster port
4 Transformer port
5 Operation display
3
5
2
2
4
3
1

B-3 English
Page 17
!
Short-circuit protection
The booster B-3 has a short-circuit protection. In case the power
consumption in the connected track section exceeds 2,5 A, the booster
indicates a short circuit to the central unit. The central unit then switches
off the track voltage. This prevents damage to the booster, vehicles and /
or tracks.
Operation with DCC central units
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-3 is isolated through an opto-coupler.
4. 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 line (if necessary in several sections)
§the branch lines (if necessary in several sections)
Make sure that section borders are not crossed that often. Cut both
rails and with 3-rail systems the middle conductor as well at the
borders.
Please note:
With some boosters cutting the middle conductor of 3-rail systems at
the borders of the booster sections is sufficient. This is different when
using the B-3! Here you have to cut the rails as well, or else the booster
may be damaged through overload.

English B-3
Page 18
1 2 3 4 5 3 2 11 2 3 4 5
1 2 3
5. Connecting the B-3
Follow the connections diagrams fig. 1 and fig. 2.
Connecting the central unit
It is possible to connect the booster to
§the interface of the central unit for a Märklin**-compatible booster
(with a 5-pin connecting cable) or
§the DCC booster interface of the central unit (with a 3-pin
connecting cable).
The enclosed cable is intended for connecting the booster to the interface
of a Märklin**-compatible booster. It can be used for connecting the
booster to the central unit MasterControl. The booster configuration of
the MasterControl has to be set to „short circuit polarity: positive (MM)”
(= factory setting).
The booster B-3 has two Märklin**-booster ports and two DCC-booster
ports to be used at choice. Please make sure that the pin assignment of
the central unit´s booster interface corresponds to that of the booster
port.
Pin assignment of the booster ports
Märklin** booster port:DCC booster port:
1short circuit warning wire 1short circuit warning wire
2earth 2data (-)
3track voltage + 19 V 3data (+)
4booster „on / off“
5data

B-3 English
Page 19
!
Connecting an additional booster
To connect an additional booster please use the Märklin** or DCC
booster port “still disengaged”. Please note: If you have connected a
booster via the Märklin**-compatible booster port to your central unit
you have to connect the additional booster via the “still disengaged”
Märklin**-compatible booster port. The same goes by analogy for the
DCC booster ports.
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.
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. When
choosing too high intervals, problems with the short circuit indication or
the power supply of the vehicles may occur.
Please 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 (or the the middle conductor) 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.

English B-3
Page 20
!
Connecting the power supply
Connect the transformer to the booster´s transformer port. You need a
transformer with a voltage of 16 to 18 V and an output current of
minimum 2,5 A (= minimum 45 VA).
6. Settings
Adjusting the current overload circuit breaker
With the factory settings the booster indicates a short-circuit to the
central unit when the current exceeds 2,5 A. Then the central unit
switches off the booster. You can alter the operation threshold of the
current overload circuit breaker via the trimpot on the PCB-layout.
Please note:
Advance in small steps when altering the operation threshold of the
overcurrent circuit breaker. Choosing a too high or too low value can
lead to serious malfunctions or to damages on the booster, the tracks
or the vehicles.
Reducing the track voltage
With the factory settings the booster is adjusted to a track voltage of
19 V. You can reduce the track voltage by soldering an additional zener
diode with a capacity of 0,5 W on the PCB layout. The mounting
direction of the diode is shown on the PCB layout.
Determine the zener diode you need as follows:
desired track voltage + 0,7 = value of the ideal zener diode
Example for a desired track voltage of 14 V:
14 + 0,7 = 14,7. Chosen zener diode: 15 V / 0,5 W

B-3 English
Page 21
!
7. Operation
Operation display
The LED shows that the booster is in operation.
Shunting the boundry between two booster sections
One should arrange track sections so that it is not necessary to halt a
train directly on the boundry between two sections. This would lead to
a connection between the outputs and damaging of the two connected
boosters. The short circuit indication does not work under these
circumstances, therefore the central unit will not switch off the booster
automatically.
Loading the boosters
The average current supplied by the booster should not exceed 2,5 A,
as the booster otherwise indicates a short circuit to the central unit.
Short-term excention normally does not lead to a short circuit indication
and switching off the booster by the central unit.
8. Check list for troubleshooting
§The booster is getting too hot and/or starts to smoke.
Disconnect the system from the mains immediately!
Possible reason: The connections to the track and the power supply
have been mixed up. àAlter the connections. Possibly the booster
has been damaged.
§The LED on the booster does not light and it is not possible to
control locomotives.
Possible reason: The plug of the connecting cable to the central
unit has been put on the wrong way round. àAlter the connection.
Hotline
If problems with your booster occur, our hotline is pleased to help you.
(address on the cover page).

English B-3
Page 22
9. Technical specifications
Power supply 16-18 Volt AC
Output voltage approx. 19 Volt digital voltage
Power max. 50 Watt
Protection IP 00
Ambient temperature while operating 0 - + 60 °C
Ambient temperature while not operating -10 - + 80 °C
Maximum humidity max. 85 %
Dimensions approx. 100 x 90 x 35 mm
Weight approx. 134 g
10. EMV, CE and warranty
EMV advice
This product conforms to the EURONORM EN 55014 & EN 50082-1,
and the guidelines 89/336/EWG (EMVG vom 09.11.1992) for
electromagnetic interference have been adhered to, and it therefore
meets all legal requirements for the CE marking.
In order to maintain this conformity please adhere to the following
recommendations
§Only use proprietry transformers with the correct voltage.
§Only connect the transformer in an authorised manner to the house
power supply.
§Do not tamper with the original equipment and in the case or repair
always use original spare parts.
§Carefully follow the instructions in this manual.
Declaration of Conformity
This product conforms with the EC- directive 89/336/EWG on
electromagnetic radiation and is therefore CE certified.

B-3 English
Page 23
Guarantee Conditions
This product carries a two year garantee covering material defect and
fabrication errors. We also guarantee the adherence to the product
specifications, as long as the operation of this product has been
conducted according to the instructions in this manual. Claims will be
satisfied either through repair or replacement, failing this a
reimbursement of the purchase price will be considered.
Claims that exceed the requirements of German law are not covered, in
particular for damage or injury that may be brought in connection with
the use of this product. Further more the following cases invalidate this
guarantee:
§damage through incorrect or careless use,
§when the product has been modified or tampered with,
§when the product has been overloaded or connected to a incorrect
power supply,
§damages caused by external influences i.e. a third party or an
accident
The asterisks **
This manual mentions the following companies:
§Gebr. MÄRKLIN** & Cie. GmbH
Postfach 8 60, D-73008 Göppingen

Booster B-3 Booster B-3
Seite - Page - Page - Pagina I Seite - Page - Page - Pagina I
Fig. 1:
Anschluss an Märklin**-kompatible Schnittstelle
Connection to a Märklin**-compatible port
Connexion à l’interface compatible Märklin**
Aansluiten op een Märklin**-compatibel Booster-aansluitpunt

Booster B-3 Booster B-3
Seite - Page - Page - Pagina II Seite - Page - Page - Pagina II
Fig. 2:
Anschluss an DCC-Schnittstelle
Connection to a DCC-compatible port
Connexion à l’interface DCC
Aansluiten op een DCC Booster-aansluitpunt

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fon: +49 (0)511 / 55 60 60
fax: +49 (0)511 / 55 61 61 n
e-mail: [email protected] n