Digitrax Zephyr

[simon1966]

I am using the exact same plan. My Zephyr is being moved to become my yard booster and command station. An SEB picked up cheap on e-bay is going to be the main layout booster as a slave to the Zephyr. My old DC packs are running as a jump throttles controlling switchers in a pair of industries on the layout. Getting the SEB put a DT400 in hand and I am planning to get a UT-4 when they hit the street. My old work notebook PC is hooked in via a Locobuffer II and is running the JMRI Decoder pro package. Sometime in the future I plan on adding signalling and switch control. I am exceptionally happy with my Zephyr purchase and am very pleased at the way in which it has grown with my plans.

[Anonymous]

That's the route I plan on taking; when my Zephyr starts wheezing, I plan on getting a Super Empire Builder set and use the DB150 as a booster. It is cheaper getting the SEB than buying the components separately -- $40 - 50 cheaper depending on where you get it.

[rrinker]

As jsalemi says, the Zephyr has a 2.5 amp power supply. You might be close with all those sound systems, but maybe not, the Stewart motors draw VERY little current. I've run a pair of un-remotors Athearns (newer tan motor, about 1.2 amps stalled by my meter) without problems, although while freely operating they only draw about .4 amps. Stall them all out and you might overlaod it.
You cheapest path for upgrade, should you REALLY need more power (and want a handheld throttle to boot) is to buy the SEB. It's cheaper than a DB150 and DT400 seperately, at least at most street prices. That is precisely the path I am taking with my system. I started with the Zephyr , was plenty to experiment with and get my locos running, and use a test loop. It won't be enough for the 8x12 HO layout I'm building now, since I see up to 3 operators running 4-6 locos, plus stationary decoders running 22 Tortoises. I won;t be running more than 10 locos at a time, so I don't need a Super Chief/DCS100, but I like the CV readback of the Zephyr, so I will use the DB150 as a booster only, and keep the Zephyr as the command station. The Zephyr output will drive the stationary decoders - 2.5 amps is PLENTY for 11-12 NCE Switch-Its and 22 Tortoises. I have future plans with expand that 8x12 to fill my 25x50 L-shaped basement, at which point I WILL need more than 10 locos running, and more than one 5 amp booster. At that time I will invest in a Super Chief and use the DCS100 as the command station.
I've said it in all the other DCC threads - this is probably the single best feature of Digitrax. Nothing to throw awat, it grows as you do. Start small, add later as needed. The only other system the I know of that comes close to this level of growth is Lenz, you can buy a starter system and add on later. The others, if they give you a choice at all, have a 'basic' system which is barely expandable, and a 'high end' system, no way to grow from one to the other and keep using the same components.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

The Zephyr is good for 2.5 amps, so you should be able to run your switcher and a couple of road engines at the same time with no problem. You may, however, overtax it with the switches, so you should probably have a separate power supply for them.

And yes, the Zephyr is fully compatible with the Digitrax LocoNet architecture, so you can expand it with additional power boosters, hand-held throttles, etc to your hearts content.

[johncolley]

my question on the Zephyr is concerning power. I understand it is good for 1 amp,? I have a pair of BLI E-7's, A Stewart FT ABBA (3 power and 1 B sound), and have a BLI NW-2 yard switcher on order. If the big units are idling at the fuel dock can I use the yard switcher? If I leave the switcher in the pocket idling can I use either of the big ones? Can I use all 3 at once? Is the Zephyr expandable or would I have to make the jump to SEB?

[rrinker]

DecoderPro is a VERY good tool, for programming loco decoders and other things like the DS54, but it won't do much good when it cmes to a DS51K1 or an NCE Switch-It, because those don't get 'programmed' per se, rather they just remember the address that sent the first SWITCH command they get when in programming mode via a jumper wire.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Randy and rob for replying so quickly.
I now have tomorrows rr tasks set out, 8# switches.

Bill

[robengland]

If you have an old PC or can buy one for fifty bucks somewhere, and can also afford another hundred or so for a LocoBuffer to connect the PC to LocoNet, then I highly recommend you do so. Then download JMRI software for free from the Web, It includes DecoderPro, which allows you to program the decoders via a GUI. A thousand times easier. I tried programming DS54s via a Zephyr and very soon gave up that idea!

[rrinker]

You have to connect the yellow wire from the DS51K1 to the same rail that you have the BLACK wire connected. Do this with track power OFF. Then turn on Track power, Press SW, enter the desired address, and press either c or t, makes no difference. You have to press EXIT to get out of switch mode on the Zephyr, turn off track power, disconnect the yellow wire, and now you should be in business. Turn the power back on, hit SW, enter th address you just programmed, and c or t and see if it works.

[Anonymous]

I am about to power up my Kato 'N' turnouts using DS51K1 decoders and am puzzled as to the method of programming their addresses.
Following the manual for wiring I then press SW select a number and press t or c, then disconnect the programming wire.
Should I be pressing program or exit or anything else as my first switch is still 'hand operated'[:(]
Sorry if this is a stupid question but iIam at a loss

Thanks
Bill