Digitrax Zephyr voltage

[hobo9941]

I have a Digitrax Zephyr system. No current problems with it. I keep reading that the voltage is supposed to be around 15 volts. But mine measures 12.6/12.7 pretty consistantly all around the 8 by 24 layout. I do have 6 to 9 sound locos sitting around the layout rumbling away. Would that be dragging down the voltage? Trains seem to run OK on the 12.6 average voltage around the layout. I just like to know as much as possible about the system. Thanks.

[rrinker]

 Your voltage is correct. The 15V is for the DB150 and DCS100 in the HO setting. The Zephyr uses a lower voltage closer ot the N scale setting so it canbe used for all scales. It's perfectly fine since most locos tend to run at faster than prototype speed at full voltage. Your loco motor will get about 1.2 volts less, peak, than the track voltage due to diode drops in the motor drivers. I think the Zephyr manual mentions the actual track voltage - if not it's in an artivle on the tech support depot at Digitrax. A DCS100 or DB150 will put out about 12V on the N/Z setting, 15V on the HO setting, and, assuming the power supply voltage is high enough, about 18V on the O/G setting.

 SO - what you are seeing is perfectly normal for the Zephyr.

            --Randy

 

[hobo9941]

Thanks, Randy.

[mlehman]

I run NCE, so the available voltage settings may be somewhat different. With NCE, you can dial in whatever voltage you want (within reason.) The NCE factory setting is 14.5 volts. However, I dialed mine down to 12.5 volts for several reasons.

First, it's easier on bulbs. Anyone with Genesis F units knows how those Athearn 1.5 volt bulbs go poof rather quickly. Since I've turned down the voltage, I quit losing bulbs regularly.

Second, for bulbs and LEDs, too, the lower voltage makes headlights look more realistic for my 60s era layout that still runs steam.

Third, the lower voltage helps decoders run cooler. The Soundtraxx Micro-Tsunami decoders tend to run on the hot side, which is why I originally went with the lower voltage.

Keep in mind that the lower voltage may affect which resistors you choose to use to get the light intensity you desire.