CVP Products "ZoneShare"

I am using the NCE PowerCab with the SmartBooster, and I want to divide my layout into power districts. In the latest Model Railroader CVP has an ad for their Zone Share unit. It allows you to wire you layout into power districts using the unit and each has separate short protection, etc. You can also configure it for three districts and one reverse loop, turn table, etc. The unit is about $180 or it is cheaper if you don't want a case. Their website is www.cvpusa.com. Wondering if anyone has seen one or knows anything about them.

Thanks,
John

They're really expensive. They are really the same as the Smart booster, with options for several districts rather than one. You can essentially dump your SB3.

There are alternatives, like DCC Specialties PSX-DCC or NCE's own EB3. First, youu have to decide 'do I need a breaker?' Because DCC is always on, if you derail someplace or, place a metal wheel loco or rolling stock incorrectly on the rails, you short essentially the entire layout. Breaking it into blocks prevents this. Another benefit is that you can reduce the short circuit current protection in each block to say, less than 0.5A instead of the booster's entire 3 Amps. That's roughly 40 Watts of power during a short, reduced to about 6 Watts if you use a breaker set at 0.5 Amps. Unattended derailments aren't so costly this way (ALWAYS watch your trains on DCC !! Amazing how the 117th time around it derails, always while you are chatting with someone.

NCE's EB3 are a bargain, $35 for 3 channels where as DCC Specialties PSX-DCC is $35 for 1 channel. But, it is a much better product. It has software or jumper programmable current (and down to low Z levels), smart current sensing (good for sound boards) and transient currents like permanent magnet motors create (Märklin locos and MTL F7s).

The PSX-AR Auto reverser from DCC Specialties works like a dream. Digitrax's uses an old-school relay but works OK. NCE doesn't make one. Go figure.

So decide on how many power districts you need, usually only mainlines and spurs.

Thanks Jeff. Yes, they are pricy:(

John