Sprog 3 power supply

richand26mhz

richand26mhz

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Hello,

I have just put an order in for a Sprog 3 and can anyone recommend a decent power supply for programing and testing small engines.

I have the LGB 50110 5 amp would this be ok? the web site says "12 - 18V, at least 2.5 Amp" i am a bit new to this so dont want any expensive disasters.

Thanks Rich
 
You only need 2.5 amps of power if you're going to use the SPROG III as a command station. For programming decoders it uses much less current. I guess my concern would be what's the voltage of the LGB unit's output and is it AC or DC??

I use an old laptop power supply with my old serial port SPROG, and it doesn't tax the PSU at all.

[edit]
Ah, you did say "testing small engines" as well. Again, my laptop PSU handles that with ease, and I can run small locos with the old SPROG's 1 amp capability.

LGB 50110 outputs 18V AC, but the SPROG requires requlated DC so you'd need additional rectification and smoothing.

My recommendation would be to leave the 50110 and find yourself a 15-18V regulated DC at 3-4 Amps power supply. Something like an old laptop PSU can be found quite cheaply on ebay, or SPROG-DCC offers suitable PSUs apparently.
[/edit]
 
The Sprog III is best with a 3amp input to operate as a 'command station' to test larger or multi-motor locos, especially if you want to test sound etc.

I use a 19v 3.4 amp laptop power supply for less than £7 from ebay:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/19V-3-42A-FOR-ASUS-N17908-V85-X5DC-A52F-EX1240U-R33030-Adapter-Charger-/390654207762?_trksid=p2054897.l4275
 
I blew a sprogII with a LGB starter controller (older version). Sprog sell them for just a few quid or, as above, get a laptop power supply.
 
I have just done the same, thinking I could get away with using the T/X from a starter set - only had the SPROG a week as well, bought to sort out my LGB Nicki and Frank S. Good news is though, that Andrew from SPROG has told me to return the SPROG for test/repair at no cost and order a power-supply (£10 + postage) and he will return the SPROG with it. Now that is custommer sevice! - even though it looks like I have caused the fault in the first place! Well done again, Andrew/SPROG.
 
I agree - good service. Andrew did the same for me.
 
I also use the power pack that I bought with my Sprog II - figured that the safest way was to use the one they supply!

Jon.
 
I have maybe misconstrued (painful but nice), but I thought that 'richand26mhz' was asking about a power supply for the Sprog III

The Sprog III is meant to be used with a more powerful supply than the Sprog II . The instructions state a minimum of 3A
 
beavercreek said:
I have maybe misconstrued (painful but nice), but I thought that 'richand26mhz' was asking about a power supply for the Sprog III

The Sprog III is meant to be used with a more powerful supply than the Sprog II . The instructions state a minimum of 3A
Click to expand...
Yeah but that's mainly because it's designed to run at 2.5 amps in command station mode whereas the older sprogs only support up to 1 amp in that mode. I'd argue that it doesn't *need* 3 amps if only used as a decoder programmer. However, given that the average laptop power supply (as we've been suggesting) tends to be rated at over 3 amps anyway it's not an issue if the O/P goes down that route.
 
beavercreek said:
I have maybe misconstrued (painful but nice), but I thought that 'richand26mhz' was asking about a power supply for the Sprog III

The Sprog III is meant to be used with a more powerful supply than the Sprog II . The instructions state a minimum of 3A
Click to expand...

I think the message coming across is - dont use any old transformer/controller, and the easiest way may be to use their own
 
So do the Sprog manufacturers offer their own 3-amp power pack as an optional extra with the Sprog III, as they did with the one-amp unit for the II, or do you HAVE to source one yourself?

Jon.
 
Thanks for the info guys. Looks like you saved me from frying it. I will take up beavercreek's suggestion. Actually my wife's laptop uses the same charger but looking at the sprog would require cutting the end off. Thanks all
 
Zerogee said:
So do the Sprog manufacturers offer their own 3-amp power pack as an optional extra with the Sprog III, as they did with the one-amp unit for the II, or do you HAVE to source one yourself?

Jon.
Click to expand...

They do a 15V 3A one at £20 but the £7 laptop 19v 3.4A is just as good and you get a little more voltage to play with when in 'command station' mode
 
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