Related Manuals for tams elektronik B-3
Summary of Contents for tams elektronik B-3
- Page 1 Booster for digital model railway layouts Item number 40-19327 Manual tams elektronik n n n...
- Page 2 © Tams Elektronik GmbH All rights reserved, in particular the right of reproduction, distribution and translation. Copies, reproductions and alterations in any form require the written permission of Tams Elektronik GmbH. We reserve the right to make technical changes. Printing the manual The formatting is optimised for double-sided printing.
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Page 3: Table Of Contents
1.3. Intended use.......................7 1.4. Safety instructions....................7 1.5. Care........................7 2. Your B-3........................8 2.1. Track voltage.......................8 2.2. Display of operating status and configuration............9 2.3. Interfaces of the B-3...................10 Background information: Output signal..............11 2.4. Protocols......................11 2.4.1. Digital formats..................11 2.4.2. RailCom....................12 2.5. Short-circuit switch-off..................12 3. - Page 4 Booster B-3 tams elektronik 7. Checklist for troubleshooting and error correction............25 7.1. Excessive heat....................25 7.2. LED displays.......................25 7.3. No short circuit switch-off...................25 7.4. Technical Hotline....................26 7.5. Repairs......................26 8. Technical data......................27 9. Warranty, EU conformity & WEEE................29 9.1. Guarantee bond....................29 9.2. EU Declaration of Conformity................30 9.3.
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Page 5: Getting Started
Booster B-3 1. Getting started This manual will help you step by step to install and use your booster B-3 safely and properly. Before you start using the booster, read through this manual completely, 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. -
Page 6: Background Information: Selecting The Power Supply
Booster B-3 tams elektronik Background information: Selecting the power supply Determining the required output voltage of the power supply (‘Transformer voltage’): Recommended transformer voltage: Desired track voltage: AC voltage DC voltage 12 V 12 V 14 V 15 V 15 V... -
Page 7: Intended Use
Booster B-3 1.3. Intended use The booster B-3 is intended for use in digital model railway layouts as specified in the instructions. Any other use is not in accordance with the intended use and will result in the loss of the warranty claim. Intended use also includes reading, understanding and following all parts of the instructions. -
Page 8: Your B-3
2.1. Track voltage The Booster B-3 can provide a maximum of 2.5 A of current at the track output. The maximum output current is identical to the cut-off current, which is the current at which the booster switches off the layout for safety reasons (e.g. -
Page 9: Display Of Operating Status And Configuration
Short circuit at the track output Missing signal from the control unit Configuration The Booster B-3 is adapted to individual requirements by setting short circuit plugs (jumpers) on the circuit board: Track voltage: 12, 15 or 19 V ... -
Page 10: Interfaces Of The B-3
→Background information: Selecting the power supply on page 6 Track connection The Booster B-3 provides a regulated track voltage that can be set to 12, 15 or 19 V. When delivered, the track voltage is set to 19 V. Setting the track voltage to a fixed value prevents the driving speeds of the locomotives and the brightness of the lighting from varying due to voltage fluctuations. -
Page 11: Background Information: Output Signal
The Booster B-3 is multi-protocol capable, it can transfer data in the following formats (both via the DCC-compliant and the Märklin-compatible interface): Motorola I and II m³ and mfx: The B-3 transmits control commands in m³ and mfx format, but no mfx feedback. Your B-3 | 11... -
Page 12: Railcom
With non-RailCom-capable DCC sound decoders, the sound reproduction can be disturbed. Therefore, the B-3 offers the possibility to switch RailCom on or off (RailCom is switched on in the delivery state). In the case of pure Motorola central units, interference with data transmission through the RailCom cutout is excluded due to the principle. -
Page 13: Conception Of The Digital Layout
Booster B-3 3. Conception of the digital layout 3.1. Dividing the layout Divide your layout into individual, electrically separate sections (booster circuits), each supplied with its own booster. A maximum of three to five locomotives should run in each booster circuit at the same time. -
Page 14: Supply With Several Boosters
Booster B-3 tams elektronik Cut the transitions between the booster circuits. Make sure that the sectioning points are permanently isolated! For 2-conductor layouts: one rail. Make sure that you cut the same rail (‘left’ or ‘right’) in all booster circuits. In larger, unclear systems, it is recommended to cut both rails. - Page 15 Booster B-3 Equalising currents and double track voltage When crossing the separation points, equalising currents occur between the (briefly differently polarised) booster circuits, even when using identical boosters from the same manufacturer. These currents are harmless for rails and vehicles and do not affect the operation.
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Page 16: Tip: Detecting Equalising Currents
Booster B-3 tams elektronik Tip: Detecting equalising currents The question of whether or not dangerous equalising currents occur at a booster separation point can be detected relatively easily with the help of a model railway incandescent lamp connected to the rails or the centre conductors across the separation point. -
Page 17: Connections
Booster B-3 4. Connections Avoid overheating the booster! The heat sink at the back of the booster must always be able to exchange air freely, otherwise the booster can overheat. Fire hazard! When connecting the booster, make sure that there is sufficient distance to other devices, walls, etc. -
Page 18: Connecting The Tracks
Booster B-3 tams elektronik 4.2. Connecting the tracks Connect the booster's track connection (terminal block 1) to the two rails (for 2-rail systems) or to one rail and the centre conductor (for 3-rail systems). Do not swap the connections for the power supply and rails! If you swap the connections for the rails (terminal block 1) and the power supply (terminal block 4), the booster can be irreparably damaged when you switch it on. -
Page 19: Connecting 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. -
Page 20: Connecting An Additional Booster
Booster B-3 tams elektronik 4.4. 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"... - Page 21 Booster B-3 Using the DCC interface Using the MM interface Connections | 21...
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Page 22: Settings / Configuration
5. Settings / Configuration With the B-3, you can set a track voltage of 12, 15 or 19 V and switch on or off RailCom. Position the short circuit jumpers included in the package in concordance with the drawings to the corresponding pins on the PCB. - Page 23 RailCom on: Jumper inserted When using the B-3 with central units that send a DCC signal and are not RailCom-capable, the RailCom-Cutout can lead to disturbances in the data transmission. Some older DCC vehicle decoders and some current DCC decoder types (especially from US manufacturers), which are not designed for use with RailCom, do not react correctly to run commands when RailCom cutout is switched on.
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Page 24: Operation
The short circuit is indicated by the LED flashing quickly. After a short circuit, the B-3 automatically switches back on after about 5 seconds. If the short circuit is still present, it switches off immediately. After the booster has switched on and off five times, the automatic switch-on is interrupted for about a minute before the process is repeated. -
Page 25: Checklist For Troubleshooting And Error Correction
→ Section 6.1. LED display 7.1. Excessive heat Warning: If you notice a strong heat development or if the booster has switched off the track voltage due to overtemperature, disconnect the B-3 from the supply voltage immediately. Fire hazard! Possible causes: ... -
Page 26: Technical Hotline
(telephone number and e-mail address on the last page). 7.5. Repairs You can send us a defective B-3 for inspection / repair (address on the last page). Please do not send us your return freight collect. In the event of a warranty or guarantee claim, we will reimburse you for the regular shipping costs. -
Page 27: Technical Data
Booster B-3 8. Technical data Digital protocols Data formats Motorola-I and -II DCC (according to NMRA and RCN standard) m3 and mfx (limited to the control of mfx decoders) Feedback format RailCom (RailCom cutout can be switched off) -
Page 28: Other Features
Booster B-3 tams elektronik Environment For use in closed rooms Note: To allow unhindered air exchange and to predect the unit from overheating, a distance of at least 20 cm must be maintained between the side, top and rear surfaces and surrounding surfaces. -
Page 29: Warranty, Eu Conformity & Weee
Booster B-3 9. Warranty, EU conformity & WEEE 9.1. Guarantee bond For this product we issue voluntarily a guarantee of 2 years from the date of purchase by the first customer, but in maximum 3 years after the end of series production. The first customer is the consumer first purchasing the product from us, a dealer or another natural or juristic person reselling or mounting the product on the basis of self-employment. -
Page 30: Eu Declaration Of Conformity
Booster B-3 tams elektronik 9.2. EU Declaration of Conformity This product fulfils the requirements of the following EU directives and therefore bears the CE marking. 2001/95/EU Product Safety Directive 2015/863/EU on the restriction of the use of certain hazardous substances in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS) 2014/30/EU on electromagnetic compatibility (EMC Directive). - Page 31 Booster B-3...
- Page 32 Further Information and Tips: http://www.tams-online.de Warranty and Service: tams elektronik GmbH Fuhrberger Str. 4 30625 Hannover / GERMANY Phone: +49 (0)511 / 55 60 60 Fax: +49 (0)511 / 55 61 61 Email: support@tams-online.de...
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