Toolbox command station
Posted: Sun Aug 31, 2014 7:38 pm
I know others have already done this, but here is my take.
The Western Union recently bought a second hand command station and booster. To house it I decided to put it in a cheap toolbox, after finding that proper metal boxes cost too much. RS Tower had already done this, but in this case we didn't need track power boosters as they are now spread around the modules. We needed the x-bus (for throttles, booster bus and feedback bus), a DCC accessory power bus and a 16v a.c. supply for module power.
A cheap B&Q toolbox, a transformer and a few other bits make up the box.
The mains gear is mounted in a metal partitioned section, with the metal earthed. An IEC lead (kettle type) provides mains power. The transformer outputs are protected with self resetting circuit breakers.
I made new mounts for the tray inside to provide enough clearance, and leave a ventilation gap around the edge. The tray is bolted in place to stop access to the mains gear. Sockets for the X-bus, Accessory bus and 16v a.c. are mounted in the tray.
I put LEDs in for the Accessory bus, 16v a.c. and the 12v on the X-bus, to indicate it the power was on. A fuse and diodes protect the command station x-bus power.
The Western Union recently bought a second hand command station and booster. To house it I decided to put it in a cheap toolbox, after finding that proper metal boxes cost too much. RS Tower had already done this, but in this case we didn't need track power boosters as they are now spread around the modules. We needed the x-bus (for throttles, booster bus and feedback bus), a DCC accessory power bus and a 16v a.c. supply for module power.
A cheap B&Q toolbox, a transformer and a few other bits make up the box.
The mains gear is mounted in a metal partitioned section, with the metal earthed. An IEC lead (kettle type) provides mains power. The transformer outputs are protected with self resetting circuit breakers.
I made new mounts for the tray inside to provide enough clearance, and leave a ventilation gap around the edge. The tray is bolted in place to stop access to the mains gear. Sockets for the X-bus, Accessory bus and 16v a.c. are mounted in the tray.
I put LEDs in for the Accessory bus, 16v a.c. and the 12v on the X-bus, to indicate it the power was on. A fuse and diodes protect the command station x-bus power.