Booster Question

[grandtrunk44]

I have recently built a muti-deck layout and we are now ready to add DCC. I have a Zephyr system now and read on Digitrax site that it can be used as a booster. The layout should run 15 locos during a ops session  My questions are

1. Can I use the Zephyr as the command station and just buy two Digitrax boosters

2. Or should I buy a new system that adds command and booster in one?

3. I have done the suggested math and I should have three boosters I think the $150 5 amp booster should do the trick?

4.Can you tether the boosters with CAT5?

5. Do you need anything else when buying a booster?

6, Is it work using a circuit breaker and wiring into subdistricts?

[rrinker]

 DO you have a Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra? The original Zephyr can handle 10 locos, that's not enough. The Zephyr Xtra can handle 20, that should be enough.

 If you have the Xtra, one extra DB150 should be enough, unles th locos are old and power hungry, then maybe 2. Both configured as boosters, with the Zephyr Xtra as command station. You need a power supply for each booster.

If you have the original Zephyr, you need a command staion that can handle more locos to meet your 15 requirement. If you buy a DCS100, you get a command station that handles 120 locos plus a 5 amp booster. That should be enough, unless like above, they are power hungry locos, in which case a DB150 to go with that. Plus a power supply for each.

In both cases the existign Zephyr can also be used as a booster. The throttle in it will still work, so no need to hide it under the layout, you cna use it as a yard throttle or something. For my layout, I have the track power comign from a DB150 but my Zephyr is the command station and its power is used for my stationary decoders.

Don't use Cat 5, use flat 6 wire cable as specified, cabe and ends I can get a Home Depot, and get a METAL crimp tool like the Ideal for trouble-free crimps.

Circuit breakers are a good idea. I have 4 power districts on my layout, my DB150 feeds a PM42 breaker which feeds each of the 4 sections. With breakers, a derailment and short in oen section won;t bring the entire layout to a screeching halt.

You never need to throw things out and buy a new system with Digitrax. Everythign all works together. There pretty much just one old piece of equipment that is totally useless today, which is unfortunetely why you don;t often save by buying an older booster oneBay - they aren;t really worth less money because they're old, if it's in workign condition it's just as good as a new one.

If you need more throttles, then it IS cheaper to buy the Super EMpire Builder Xtra to get the DB150 and a DT402 throttle plus a UP5 throttle panel. The cost of the set is less than the individual components. But if you don;t need more throttles, the DB150 alone is cheaper.

I say all this assumign that when you say 15 trains you mean 15 traisn all movign at once. If what you REALLY mean is 15 trains, 3 at a time max, with 15 TOTAL over a session, then you really don;t need ANYTHIGN elxtra, the Zephyr, even the original, can easily run 6 or more trains at once. I had 8, half sound half non-sound, runnign at once one mine and ran out of track before I ran out of power. The limit mentioned for each Digitrax command station is the maximum SIMULTANEOUS you cna run, not the limit on the number of locos you cna ever put int he system. You can own 500 locos, you can only run 10 or 20 or 120 at a time, the rest have to sit on the shelf or on the track unselected.

                        --Randy

[locoi1sa]

I would think one 5 amp booster separated into districts via breakers would do the trick for 15 locos on your layout. If you want more power then that is your right.

1.  Yes.

2. If you want too. The Zephyr is only 3 amps on the latest version.

3. Like I said above unless this is S or O scale.

4. No.

5. Power supply capable of putting out the 5 amps or more. Never hook up more than one booster to a power supply.

6. Not much more work then wiring more boosters but a lot less cheaper.

         Pete