Zephyr Starter Set Capacity

[tcf511]

I have a Digitrax Zephyr that I use for a small 8 x 16 HO layout and it serves my purposes just fine. I have a friend who is building an O Scale 2 rail layout that would like to try DC. He has several Atlas O locomotives some of which are DCC ready. Will a Zephyr have enough output to run a point to point that is probably 24 feet long and be able to run to Atlas O Scales at a time? He would not be running sound or stationary decoders. Thanks.

[UpNorth]

Here is what Atlas says about the required decoder.

" The only stipulation Atlas O makes regarding a decoder is that it must be able to handle up to 6 amps of current draw, which is the maximum stall amp rating of the combined motors with a 15-volt power source. Either a NCE Corporation D408SR or a Digitrax DG583S decoder, both with 10 amp stall ratings, should do the job. "

Decoders testing shows current draw in the 500/600 MA.  I'd say 3 O scale locos (no sound) is the limit for the 2.5A availlable from the Zephyr if they start pulling cars.

[CSX Robert]

...
Will a Zephyr have enough output to run a point to point that is probably 24 feet long and be able to run to Atlas O Scales at a time?...

I assume you mean "two." It depends on the engines, what he plans to pull with them, and the layout. As an example, in the April issue of Model Railroader, they review an Atlas RS-3. It has a free running current draw from just under .5 amps to about .7 amps. When slipping, it draws 1.5 amps. When stalled it draws 4.7 amps. Since the Zephyr can supply 2.5 amps, it would have no problem powering two of these if they where free running, but two of these loaded down to the point of slipping( or close to it) would overload a Zephyr. If the layout is a 24 foot point to point, you probably would not be able to pull a train long enough to load the engines to a point of slipping on the flat, but if the layout has grades on it, you may be able to. In other words, there is no easy yes or no answer.

[tcf511]

Thanks for both replies. Yup I meant two. Sometimes my brain works faster than I can type. His layout is totally flat and is really a switching layout. Rarely do you see more than 4 cars on a train. I suspect that the Zephyr will be sufficient for his layout.