What is a PTB?

A Programming Track Booster is a bit of a misnomer - they are really Programming Track BUFFERS or CONDITIONERS or INTERFACES.

With the major improvements in sound decoders, starting with the QSI series and continuing with SoundTraxx' Tsunami, the decoder manufacturers found it hard to design a decoder which met the desired specifications - including "keep alive" ability - within the existing NMRA programming track recommend practices. The in-rush current to charge the power supply capacitors appears as a short to the command station.

The NMRA created a new RP, which looked at the current being drawn over time to decide whether there was a short, or the decoder included a large capacitor.

The "programming track booster" solution provides an interface which could interact with the older designed programming track outputs from existing command stations and meet the demanding needs of these new and exciting decoders.

This terminology (booster) and the entire issue of in-rush current (tripping many of the older circuit breakers) has caused an incorrect concept that sound decoders take VASTLY more power than regular ones. The actual running current of most sound decoders is about .01 amp (1 watt). The issues relate to the in-rush current at start-up.

Major examples of programming track boosters are the
PTB-100 from SoundTraxx
and
PowerPax from DCC Specialties.

 

 

Programming Track Boosters

When Do I Need One?

When you are looking to program QSI decoders (as come in many off-the-shelf sound locos from folks like BLI, Life-Like and Atlas) or SoundTraxx Tsunami decoders or SoundTraxx DSX decoders with added "keep alive" capacitors with many traditional sets, you will need a Programming Track Booster.

Specifically, do I need a Programming track booster with my command station?

Digitrax DCS series (including Zephyr) - Yes.

Digitrax DB series - Yes, but you will still NOT be able to read back stored CV values.

Lenz LZV100 - possibly - some sets will work without a booster - try yours, if you cannot read one of the new decoders connect a 10 ohm 2 watt resistor in one of the leads between the command station and the programming track. If this doesn't work, add a Programming Track Booster. Version 3.6 software should NOT need a PTB.

NCE Power Pro and Power House (5 and 10 amp sets) - Yes.

NCE PowerCab - NO! The PowerCab has this functionality built in!

Zimo - NO - ADDING A Programming Track Booster to a Zimo set may damage the set.

Will They Damage Decoders?

They are designed to work with all decoders.

Here at Litchfield Station, Bruce used a PowerPax in line for programming ALL decoders for over a year. No problems. When he did the beta test on the Tsunami for SoundTraxx in May of 2005, he replaced the PowerPax with the PTB-100 and has used it since. Never a hiccup. He has used the following command stations with both of the above Programming Track Boosters:

Digitrax: DCS100, Zephyr (DCS050)
Lenz: LZV100
NCE: Power Pro (PH05)

How do I Connect One?

The mechanism of connection is the same for all systems. Provide power to the Programming Track Booster (either from your existing DCC system, as for the PTB-100, or from its own power supply, as for the PowerPax). Disconnect the leads going to your programming track and route the signal through the Programming Track Booster. The following examples detail the installation of a SoundTraxx PTB-100, as it requires 6 wires to be connected. The PowerPax uses its own external power supply, so the only connections are the equivalent of the yellow and orange in the following examples.

PTB-100 to Digitrax DCS100 or 200 PowerPax is the same, except the power does not connect to the command station, but to its own power supply
PTB-100 to Digitrax Zephyr (DCS50) An external power supply is needed for the PTB-100. CLICK HERE to buy one. Connect the power supply to the black leads of the PTB-100. We recommend 1/16 inch Shrink Tubing to insulate the connection. Connect the "command station" (yellow in the photo) leads from the PTB-100 to the Zephyr's "programming track" terminals. Connect the PTB-100's "programming track" leads (orange in the photo) to the track.	CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE Use your BACK button to return
PTB-100 to Lenz LZV100 PowerPax is the same, except the power does not connect to the command station, but to its own power supply
PTB-100 to NCE Power Pro PowerPax is the same, except the power does not connect to the command station, but to its own power supply

What if I don't want to use my command station power supply?

The SoundTraxx PTB-100 needs external voltage, 15 volts at 500 mA (1/2 Amp) is ideal. You can use a "wall-wart" style power supply as long as it supplies either:

DC: 14 to 22 volts at 500 mA (1/2 amp) to 1.5 amps
or
AC: 12 to 18 volts at 500 mA (1/2 amp) to 1.5 amps

An appropriate supply is available from Litchfield Station CLICK HERE! If you use this supply, you simply cut the connector off it and wire it to the black wires or add a connector to the black wires and plug it in.

How do I enclose my PTB-100?

One of the issues with the PTB-100 is that it is an open board. Bruce enclosed his in a clear clamshell enclosure of the kind that SoundTraxx has used for years with their decoders.

If you don't have one of these, there are enclosures available from electronics stores for a few bucks. Bruce recommends, if you go that route, add the power supply connector and a 4 terminal strip on the outside. If you can find one with a clear or smoked plastic top, it will make it easier to see the LEDs and understand what's happening.

updated 11/2/2009