Manual DINAMO Plug & Play
Control your miniature world
Page 20 of 32
Version 1.2 – Dec 21
st
, 2017
2017 Leon van Perlo
Now insert another RJ45 cable in the other, free RJ45 socket of the module you just
connected and run the cable to the next TM44 or OC32/NG module. Insert it in one of the
RJ45 sockets of the module. Repeat this process unless you have reached the last module.
Note that the order in which you connect your modules is completely irrelevant. Just follow
the route that is most practical.
When you are done, you should have a continuous string of modules connected to each
other. We will call this string “a bus”. All modules have both RJ45 sockets occupied, except
for the RM-C/1+ and the last module in the chain. Your network should look somewhat like
fig 21.
S7 & S8 OFF
S7 & S8 OFF
USB
S7 & S8 OFF
S7 & S8
ON
Terminators OFF
Terminators OFF
KEEP SHORT!
RJ45 cable
R
J
4
5
c
a
b
le
T
M
4
4
T
M
4
4
T
M
4
4
T
M
4
4
O
C
3
2
/N
G
O
C
3
2
/N
G
RM-C/1+
Fig 21: An example Dinamo P&P RS485 network
5.2
Terminators
This term is not referring to the sci-fi series with an Austrian actor. In RS485 a terminator
is used to close the RS485 bus. To visualize it, think of it as a plug in the end of the bus to
prevent the electrons from falling out.
The first module on your RS485 bus is the RM-C/1+. In standard configuration your RM-
C/1+ will have the terminator activated by default. The last module on your bus is the
module with only one RJ45 socket occupied. Also this last module shall have it’s terminator
Control your miniature world
Manual DINAMO Plug & Play
2017 Leon van Perlo
Version 1.2 – Dec 21
st
, 2017
Page 13 of 32
Fig 12: Connecting power supply to the TM44
3.5
Capacity and Choice of Power Supply
The total power supply to your layout shall be sufficient to supply your trains with energy. As
rule of thumb you can assume that a scale H0/00 train consumes about 1A. In scale N that
will be about half that figure. Consumption depends to a large extent on the properties of
the trains, whether they have illumination, etc. The internal consumption of the TM44 can
be ignored in the calculations.
For the running power voltage, (so what you supply to the PWR of the TM44), a value
between 14V and 18V is usually a good choice. For an average sized layout, a power supply
with a capacity of 150W can be selected. In H0/00
this can provide power for about 10 trains running
simultaneously. In scale N probably more than 15. If
you need more power, use a higher capacity supply or
use multiple power supplies.
MeanWell have a suitable range of power supplies at a
very reasonable price. For universal use the HRP150-
15 could be selected. This is a compact 15V-10A
switching power supply, according to the specs
adjustable from 13.5V to 18V. Cost around €60.
For scale Z, a lower Voltage 10V to 13V and
significantly less power is necessary. In this case it is
better to use a smaller supply e.g. 12V adju/-
20%
3.6
Safety
Connecting power supplies includes working with 230V mains power. Working on these
voltages and power can be potentially dangerous and in some countries it may only be done
by certified professionals.
In this manual we cannot give detailed directions for all possible cases. Stick to the legal
regulations, applicable for your region. Use common sense and if you are in doubt or do not
have the necessary knowledge, ask advice from someone you consider knowledgeable or hire
a professional.
3.7
Power Supply Cabling
The electrical power for your trains is transported by copper wires from your power supply
unit to the TM44’s underneath your layout. To make sure the wires can transport enough
current, these wires should be properly sized. In the full TM44 manual you will find guidelines
and calculations for distances and wire sizes. In this manual we limit this to some “rules of
thumb” that should be sufficient in most cases:
•
Preferably use stranded wire (instead of wire with solid core), because stranded wire
conducts current with high-frequencies better.
Fig 13: MeanWell HRP 150-15
PWR GND
DO NOT CONNECT!
PWR GND
DO NOT CONNECT!
