For my clubs portable demonstration tracks we use a car "Jump Start Power Unit"

This means we do not have to rely on being near to a mains outlet.

The amps put out by these units will handle a 4 lane track with no problem, but look for a unit with a high Amp/Hour rating. The higher the Amp/Hours the longer it will power your track for you. Our clubs unit is rated at 22 Amp/Hours and we have yet to notice a drop in power at the end of day out at fates etc.

 

Iv got a Snap-On 1700amp jump pack, but I'd rather have mains powered. Would you not need 1 power source per lane?

The laptop chargers are usually around 5amp, would this do?
Or the 12v transformers used for downlights etc, Iv got some somewhere, not sure on the amps though. They are so cheap I'd be happy to leave them installed on the track, just wanted to know if they'll work.

 

While my road track has a large variable power supply my Rally tracks use PC power supplies converted.
Both the Downlight transformer or Lap top supplies will work. If you need voltage adjustment they can easily be found on EBay as motor controllers. Just check the Amp ratings of the power supply and motor controllers to suit your cars.
It is a good idea to also use an inline fuse.

 

I use a adjustable lab bench power supply 30V 10A on my three lane wood track. It works well and there are loads for sale on E-Bay for less than £50.

 

Hi MrD

You cannot get cheaper than what you've already got so let's start there

the 12v transformers used for downlights etc, Iv got some somewhere, not sure on the amps though.

Yes that'll work assuming the current rating isn't too low. They should have the current rating marked on them. Depending on the current rating and what cars you are using you might need one, two, or four

a Snap-On 1700amp jump pack

That'll work. . After some period of running the battery will go flat and need recharging. I've had a quick look at the manual online, unfortunately I cannot find the information to work out how long it'll keep your slot cars running. An important safety warning, the high current from that power pack could damage your track in the event of a short circuit, A simple way to make it safe is to fit a fuse. What size fuse depends on the cars - I'd start out trying about 5 or 7 amps, and only go to something a bit larger if that fuse blows in normal use.

Do you already own one or more home set power supplies or a car battery charger? If so tell us more, they might do the job

The laptop chargers are usually around 5amp, would this do?

Yes, one could be enough for all 4 lanes (it depends on what cars you use), two driving 2 lanes each would give plenty of current for the sort of cars I assume you'll be using.

Would you not need 1 power source per lane?

No, one shared between all 4 lanes or two driving 2 lanes each will work as long as it has a high enough current rating. With the most basic power supplies power surges can be a problem unless you have one per lane. With better power supplies this is usually OK if they have sufficient current rating. Your 1700amp jump pack will give enough amps to power vastly more lanes than any slot track would have.

 

Pendles sell a range of power supplies form £10 to £100

Tony

 

P.S.

The laptop chargers are usually around 5amp, would this do?

I should have added yes assuming the voltage is right,.

A lot of laptop chargers are around 18 or 20volts which is good for some sorts of HO (indeed quite a few HO racers use them) but probably you need somewhere about 12 volts.

 

A few of the analogue clubs around here use these CCTV power supplies and as well as being very reasonably priced, they are adjustable for output and run cool and stable.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-5V-12V-24V-LED-Power-Supply-Adapter-Switching-Transformer-for-LED-Strip-CCTV/371772769015?hash=item568f6242f7:m:mC6qB5qpuNxkRBfegZj-jdg

 

Those CCTV power supplies look very good value.

The ones in the photos look like they are intended for fitting in an enclosure, but it looks easy enough for anybody who knows what their doing to enclose the mains terminals and make them fully safe.

 

We have 4 inside a cheap aluminium camera case, they don’t get hot and they are silent too.

 

Awesome, loads of good info here. Thank you all, it's much appreciated.
I think I'll try the Downlight transformers as I have them already, I will use 1 per lane so there's no bickering over which lane has more power and so troubleshooting is easier if a problem ever occurres.
I suppose I should get on with building the track..

Thanks chaps :thumbsup:

 

As long as the downlight power suppliies are switched, smoothed or regulated they should be ok. This normally means that the transformer runs at a higher voltage and the inbuilt electronics reduce it to the required voltage so as long as you don't overload it the voltage will be steady under load (some of the old 12V train transformers will output 14-16 volts when not under load). This also helps to provide an equal voltage from each unit

Old PC power supplies offer a good source of switched 12v power supplies, but you need to check the ampage as it can be as low as 2A but can be 6A or more.

Back in the day a lot of clubs would use car batteries but theses would be charged while being used, just like in a car. The batteries would do the job of smoothing the voltage supplly.

Unless you are running high performance cars you son't really need a seperate unit for each lane, but it does help keep things simple and if a unit dies during use you can always jump the lane to one of the other units.