You folks are more than welcome to rub it in my faces, I have finally placed the Bachmann E-Z and the MRC 8 amp booster on the RIP track. Last night my favorite DCC conversion PK 2000 BL 2 smoked it's decoder and wiring harness.That was the straw that broke the camels back! I 95% sure the problem was the gonked up brushes I found when I opened it up. Regardless what caused the Digitrax DH 123 Smoke Unit to go off, it was time for a change.
Tonight I bought a Zepher, UP 5 and a UT 4. I will have a Digitrax PR3 Computer Interfaces next week. Will be buying a power meter from Tonys Train World Friday. BBR Decoder has to stop, it is taking the fun out of it for me.
Going to try driffrent decoders as well. TCS will be the next one I try. I fry it, they fix it.
Do I really think it was the 8 amp booster and E-Z, no. But the only way to be sure is to replaces it. I am all so going to pick up some 14 gage wire rewire the C line bus and shorten the feeders.
Hope to have Simon 1966 over this Sunday to over see the project.
BBQ Ken, Cooking Again.
I hate Rust
Dave, I hope the PR3 will take care of the CV and constant work, one thing I am not looking forward and hope to avoid is using the Zepher for reading and setting CV's.
When Simon makes it over I hope he brings his DT400.
Digitrax Ken
cudaken I am not looking forward and hope to avoid is using the Zepher for reading and setting CV's.
I am not looking forward and hope to avoid is using the Zepher for reading and setting CV's.
KEN
Why not get JMRI Decoder-Pro as long as you're going the whole Digitrax shebang? With all its Loconet monitoring features, programming ease... to me it is the way to go for DCC programming.
Like the internet... I don't know how I ever survived without it!!!
ED
gmpullmancudaken I am not looking forward and hope to avoid is using the Zepher for reading and setting CV's. KEN Why not get JMRI Decoder-Pro as long as you're going the whole Digitrax shebang? With all its Loconet monitoring features, programming ease... to me it is the way to go for DCC programming. Like the internet... I don't know how I ever survived without it!!! ED
Agreed, 150%! JMRI works great with the PR3. It even switches the PR3 between MS100 mode and PR3 mode automatically, depending on the JMRI function you're using.
Ken, be sure you get a proper power supply for that PR3, as it is required for stand-alone programming. (but not for Loconet communication). I use Tony's TTE- XDTX with mine and it works fine. No problems reading/writing CV's even on Soundtraxx LC's and QSI decoders and of course on Digitrax sound (haven't tried it on any other brands of sound decoders.)
Steve
Stevert Why not get JMRI Decoder-Pro as long as you're going the whole Digitrax shebang? With all its Loconet monitoring features, programming ease... to me it is the way to go for DCC programming.
Steve, the PR 3 is on order, doesn't the soft ware come with it? On Tony's Train World it looks like it is a free down load, or am I mistaken. Far as power supply, I ordered the PS 14.
Cuda Ken
Ken, Decoder Pro is a free download. http://www.decoderpro.com/ I am quite interested to see what the PR3 does in addition to what I currently use. (Locobuffer2).
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Oh, and if you get bored at work and have internet access, take a look at these videos
http://vps2642.inmotionhosting.com/~modelr5/index.php?q=mrht_decoderpro
simon1966Ken, Decoder Pro is a free download. http://www.decoderpro.com/ I am quite interested to see what the PR3 does in addition to what I currently use. (Locobuffer2).
Simon,
In addition to connecting to Loconet, as the Locobuffer II does, the PR3 functions as a stand-alone programmer, and it can download sound schemes to Digitrax sound decoders.
I have used it in all three capacities and it works quite well. As a stand-alone programmer, with a sufficient power supply, it easily handles reading/writing CV's on (most? all?) sound decoders. I don't have any Loksounds or Tsunamis so I can't personally vouch for it's abilities with those decoders, but I have used it with CV's on QSI and Soundtraxx LC's.
I've also used it to load different sound schemes on a pair of Digitrax DH165K1A/SFX004 installations and it performed flawlessly. The neat thing about the PR3/Digitrax sound decoder combination is that you can "run up" the loco to check the sounds on the test track, without the loco moving. The decoder "knows" it's being powered by a PR3 and disconnects the motor drive.
The one downside some folks have said the PR3 has, as compared to the LocoBuffer II, is that the LocoBuffer II is opto-isolated and the PR3 isn't. However, the original, non-opto-isolated LocoBuffer from John Jabour, as well as the non-optoisolated MS100, have been used by a lot of people for many years and the ground loops and other problems that opto-isolation would tend to prevent haven't been a big issue. Or at least you never hear of people complaining about those issues. I've used (and still use) an MS100 on a variety of computer/layout combinations and I have never encountered a problem. In my opinion that difference is way overblown.
The bottom line is that Digitrax took some really useful abilities, considered the shortcomings of the devices previously providing those abilities, and came up with a quite robust product.
cudaken Dave, I hope the PR3 will take care of the CV and constant work, one thing I am not looking forward and hope to avoid is using the Zepher for reading and setting CV's. When Simon makes it over I hope he brings his DT400. Digitrax Ken
Ken programming CV with the Zephyr is easy and requires a minimum of key stroke, you will find out when you will try it. I normally use Decoder Pro to program sophisticated lighting effects or adjust sounds volumes . To tweak the odd CV instead of firing up the computer, I will use the Z or a DT400 or even my NCE Power Cab, whatever is handy at the time.
Jack W.
cudaken Stevert Why not get JMRI Decoder-Pro as long as you're going the whole Digitrax shebang? With all its Loconet monitoring features, programming ease... to me it is the way to go for DCC programming. Steve, the PR 3 is on order, doesn't the soft ware come with it? On Tony's Train World it looks like it is a free down load, or am I mistaken. Far as power supply, I ordered the PS 14. Cuda Ken
Ken,
The PR3 comes with a mini-CD with the USB drivers and Digitrax's Soundloader software. Digitrax's Soundloader software can also be downloaded from the Digitrax website. As Simon already mentioned, JMRI is a free, separate download.
For the power supply, the PS14 is an excellent choice.
HTH, Steve
Since you're buying from Tony's Trains, you might note that Tony's has a nice "cheat sheet" that covers most everything on operating the Zephyr. I don't know if it comes automatic when you buy a Z from him or if you have to request it?? Worth checking out, mine came sealed in plastic so it will last. Even after several years I still refer to it once in a while.
The BEST Zephyr "cheat sheet" was the book "mastering the Digitrax Zephyr" put out by Loy Spurlock of Loy's Toys. Since he has retired and someone else has taken over at least part of his operation, there was a small demand for a reissue on the Digitrax Yahoo group. As such, Loy and the new owner are working to make a digital version available for purchase. How soon it will be available and where to go to order it I don't yet know.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Simon, I cannot get on the inter net from work, that might help pass the time! I watched as much as I could of the video, I thought I was sleepy before! As you know down the road I want a computer to run the layout out, but that is light years a head of what I want for now.
wjstixSince you're buying from Tony's Trains, you might note that Tony's has a nice "cheat sheet" that covers most everything on operating the Zephyr.
Stix, I did not buy from Tony's, but K -10 Model Trains.Great LHS but weak on DCC stuff.
I do have one complaint about Digitrax and K-10 Model Trains. On Digitrax, why would you sell a starter set with out a power supply? ( I bought a Zepher with a power supply) But why no power supply with the SEB or Super Chief?
On K-10 Trains, they saw what I bought. Sure wish some one would have spoke up and said "you need this cable to hook the UP 5 to the Zepher"? I think Ken the owner was in shock when he saw I was buying a new Digitrax DCC System knowing I was not a Digitrax fan from what I have seen at the Club Nights.
I am still running the E-Z tonight. I will need to do some re wiring to hook up the Zepher, Simon having seen my bench will understand. I did take the Zepher to work and read the manual, still not sold on the hold simple to use Zepher thing compared to the E-Z. Lets say I am running engines 1, 5, and 6 and I want to start engine 7. I push a open address say 10 that is a DC only address, turn the throttle to zero, hit engine 7 button and give it some gas and off it goes.
Manual tells you how to run a DC engine, how to run a single DCC engine, how to change speed steeps, how to use to Zepher at the same time and how to MU. But, just seems odd not a thing about run 2 or more DCC engines at the same time?
The Zepher seems to have the only short coming the E-Z has I don't like. Just now I was controlling the speed of engine number 8, I wanted to stop engine number 3 to remove the track cleaning car. I had to find a open address, then change the speed control knob to about where number 3 was set when I was running it and then take control of engine 3 and slow it down to a stop. The brake lever might take care of it, will find out later.
Thing most of you will find odd, this is a grudge purchase, not happy about buying it at all. Not looking forward to using it. I hope that will change, we will see.
Ken
You are ready to tryout a nice feature of the Z, that is the jump ports. You can use two of your old DC power pack to control simultaneously 3 engines. I you had an UT4 throttle you are up to 4 units simultaneously and so on till 10 units.
Ken are you saying you can't control 9 trains with the Zephyr as I could with the Bachmann EZ? I have run up to 6 and normally only run 3 or 4. Reason I'm asking is as you know I have had my Bachmann EZ 4 years and can do that with it with no problem. I received the Digitrax PR3 and downloaded the other site you recommended, JMRI Decoder-Pro and I think it's just great so I can now make things work and how easy it is to use. I'm now all hyped up on Digitrax, but from reading your posts on this thread, not quite sure. I'll just wait and see how you do before I take the plunge so to speak.
It works almost exactly liek the EZ, except you don;t have to number your locos 1-9. You can give them a real address equal to the cab number decals they have. There is no one butto dedicated to a loco thing. To select a loco, you press the 'loco' button, the display flashes, you key in the number of the loco you want to run, and press loco again. You now have control of speed and direction of that loco, the number of it shows in the display. If you want to run another, repeat the process and the first one will continue to run at the last speed and direction, up to either 10 are running or you've exceeded the 2.5 amp capacity, whichever comes first. Liek the EZ, the only one you have control over is the last one selected, the rest if set to run forward at half speed will do so until you either switch back to them by selecting their numbers, or they derail, or crash into something.
If you have the throttle at full and select a loco that is already running at half, the loco will speed up to full. And vice-versa. This is the downside of potentiometer controls, the train speed adjusts to the control position when you switch between multiple running locos. Witht he encoder knob on a DT400, when you switch between running trains, they continue at whatever speed they were running until you actually turn the knob. With a pot, you turn it coutnerclockwise and it only goes so far, there's a physical stop - the stop position. When you tun it clockwise, it only goes so far, another physical stop - full throttle. The amount of speed is directly related to how far through that arc you have turned the knob. With an encoder, you can think of it as a knob you turn that acts like pushbuttons. Each 'click' of the knob clockwise is liek pushing a button that says "go a little faster", each click coutner-closkwise is liek pushing a button that says "go a little slower". If you put a pointer onthe encoder knob, you would see there is no relation between where it's pointing and how fast your train moves. This is why the DT400 has a display, both numbers and a bar graph, to show just what speed you are set for.
Me, I prefer the encoder for the finer control and the ability to switch back and forth between trains without worrying that one will speed up or slow down, or trying ot 'guess' the throttle position so it keeps running at the same speed.
RangeroverKen are you saying you can't control 9 trains with the Zephyr as I could with the Bachmann EZ?
Rangerover, no I am not saying that at all. It can control 10 engines and if had the power run 10 engines at a time. You must remember I have not take the Zepher out of the box yet. From reading the manual it looks like it take a little more time to switch engines on the fly with the Zepher than the E-Z. With out doing it with the Zepher it just may seen it will take more effort and time than it will.
Reason this a concern, I some time run 2 trains on the same line. With the EZ I can adjust quickly, not sure with the Zepher or when using the UT 4.
All so glad you are happy with the PR3. If I was not eating decoders I would have stayed with the E-Z and MRC Booster and add the PR3 only.
Randy, again thanks for your time. I 95% sure I would be happer with the 400 hand held. One of the reasons I was thinking about the SEB. But all most everone told me to stay a way from it?
God, I wish this was simple.
ken
cudaken I am still running the E-Z tonight. I will need to do some re wiring to hook up the Zepher, Simon having seen my bench will understand.
I am still running the E-Z tonight. I will need to do some re wiring to hook up the Zepher, Simon having seen my bench will understand.
This is the reason those decoders get burned up. Rewire until the short circuit protection trips immediately anywhere on the layout, then start running decoders.
cudakenI did take the Zepher to work and read the manual, still not sold on the hold simple to use Zepher thing compared to the E-Z. Lets say I am running engines 1, 5, and 6 and I want to start engine 7. I push a open address say 10 that is a DC only address, turn the throttle to zero, hit engine 7 button and give it some gas and off it goes.
I did take the Zepher to work and read the manual, still not sold on the hold simple to use Zepher thing compared to the E-Z. Lets say I am running engines 1, 5, and 6 and I want to start engine 7. I push a open address say 10 that is a DC only address, turn the throttle to zero, hit engine 7 button and give it some gas and off it goes.
The EZ command is simple because it has ten buttons to push. One for each address available. Zephyr would need almost ten thousand buttons.
Plug the UT4 in to select another engine, Use the jump ports for two more.