I have a Digitrax Super Chief with the DT 400 throttle and would like another throttle. I am thinking I want a wireless throttle. What do I need to do this? I have only been into DCC for a few months now and am loving it! Can I use the DT400 along with a wireless for when friends come over and we both can have a throttle? I talked to the Digitrax man at the train show in OKC about a month ago and did not get much info, (he was real busy) he stated there were radio control and an infred (SP) I would rather have the radio control. What ALL do I need to get this started? Thanks. Mike
Now that you mentioned it, I do remember the man at the Digitrax boot saying something like that. I have seen some Digitrax throttles used at train shows and other places that have a loop of "phone wire" at the top, what are these? Also what kind of throttle is the DT402r? and what is the UR92? I am still very new at this whole DCC experence. Thanks for the input, I am not in any real hurry but I would like to have one. Mike
Mike,
Your DT400 throttle is IR capable. You need a UR90 panel that has the IR receiver in it. To be quite honest, I would not waste the money on IR. It is line of sight, or 'bounce' off the walls.
The good news is that you can have your DT400 converted to a DT400R(about $50, IIRC). You will also need a UR91 radio panel. I would go out and find a 'deal' on a DT400R and the UR91. Then contact Digitrax and mail in your DT400 throttle(this is only a 'factory only' upgrade). BTW, that short piece of 'wire' is connection to the Loconet jack so you can aquire your locomotive.
Now, while you are digesting all of this - Digitrax will be releasing thier new 'full duplex' throttles/radio receiver sometime in the next year. The new throttle(DT402 and receiver UR92-???) will be duplex only. What this means is if you have DT400R throttles, they will need to talk to a UR91 if you want 'wireless'. The new duplex DT402 will only talk to the UR92 receiver(they are different frequencies).. I have a pair of DT400R throttles and a UR91 on my layout. Our club also has a UR91 radio receiver panel and most of the club members have DT400R throttles. We have budgeted capital for adding a UR92 when they become available. The DT402 should look just like the DT400, at least from what I have seen & read.
Wireless operation is quite nice. The only real drawback is that you eat up 9 volt batteries - I get about 4 hours of solid good operation out of them. Also, the DT400R thottle needs to be 'plugged in' to aquire your locomotive - after that you can operate wireless. The new DT402 will be 'duplex' and you should not have to 'plug in' to aquire your locomotive. The other feature is that the new DT402 should not be affected by cell phones(a real issue at public train shows).
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Did we ever settle on what F25 was going to be, David? Was it the sound of a toilet flushing or the microwave in the galley pinging to signify the end to a heating task?
-Crandell
F25 is going to be the sound of a plastic bag being tied, especially for modelers of Norfolk Southern units where they were too cheap to install a toilet in the loco.
As for the IR - it kinda depends on your room. Not sur eof the overall size of my friend's layout room, but he has a decent size N scale layout inthe middle under construction and around 3 walls he ahs a British outline OO scale/HO Gauge layout. He ahs a white drop ceiling installed with recessed lighting, not sure on the ceilign height but it definitely is NOT over 7' because I'm 6' tall and it seems a bit low to me. He has a UR90 mounted 3/4 of the way up the wall on a backdrop piece and it works fine anywhere in the room as long as you don't point the throttle at the floor. In a room with an unfinished ceiling and/or dark colors painted everywhere, it probably wouldn't work without pointing directly at the UR90. I would recommend looking for a cheap UR90 on eBay as a way to get you feet wet while waiting for the new Digitrax radio. Full price, forget it, just wait, but if a cheap one comes by, why not?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I bought a Digitrax Super Chief (radio) about ten years ago and it is still in use. My set came with a DT-100R (radio). You can use all Digitrax components at the same time. I currently have DT-100R, DT-300R and a DT-400R. I have also used UT-1 and DT-100, DT-300 and DT-400 in combination with the wirelesss throttles, and all from the same DCS100 command station. All of the wireless throttles operate from a single UR-91 and I use UP-3 and UP-5 for the regular throttles.
I have recently upgraded from and MS-100 to a Digitrax PR-3. This not only lets me use Decoder Pro to program decoders, but lets me use my PC as multiple computer throttles.
I love the Digitrax wirelless throttles, and I agree with the others; save you money and wait for the new Digitrax duplex radio throttles, which are due out soon. You will be able to use the Duplex, Simplex and regular throttles all together. You can sometimes pick up cheep DT-100 or DT-300 throttles on Ebay.
At one time Digitrax provided for the upgrade of regular throttles to wireless, which is how I obtained the majority of my wireless throttles. I understand that Digitrax may provide for upgrading a DT-400 throttle to a DT-402R at some future date.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
Jim,
Did I understand your post correctly? The DT400R operates on the 900 Mhz range. IIRC, the new DT402R operates in the 2.4 Ghz band. From what I have read, the UR92 only works with the 2.4 Ghz throttles. Part of this is to meet restrictions for EU compliance. Is there also a 900 Mhz receiver in the unit as well? It is my understanding that I will need the UR91 to communicate with the DT400R throttles, and the UR92 to communicate with the new DT402R throttle.
You will need a UR-92 for the new duplex throttles and a UR-91 for the existing simplex throttles. You can use both types at the same time, provided you have both receivers.
I would like to get some of the new UT-4 throttles, however I am waiting for the duplex radio to be released. I thought about just getting regular UT-4 throttles and send them in to Digitrax later for upgrade. Several years ago I purchased some of the UT-1 throttles as it was suggested that at some future point they could be upgraded to radio by digitrax. It never happened, and last year I sold the UT-1 and some DT-100 throttles on ebay, so I guess that I will wait to be sure.
I am building a large shelf type, walk around layout. I had a previous layout of the same type. My opereators loved the wireless throttles as you don't have to keep looking for the next throttle jack. You can focus on your train.
I have the Superchief radio and its the best toy in the train room. I tried infra red and hated it. It worked most of the time. The few times it didn't work was when I needed it the most. I have UT4r and like them better unless I am runnin three trains at a time by my self. Then I use one of each.