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New System

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  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: New Bern North Carolina
  • 124 posts
New System
Posted by nickyb on Friday, February 22, 2013 2:56 PM

I Had a Zephyr DCS50 in conjunction with a Db100. My Zephyr shorted and cannot be fixed. Confused as what to purchase. On one hand some people say a DB150 is all I need because its a booster and command station. the other hand some people say I need a DCS100. I am not familiar with DCC yet still in the Baby stage. Need some advice. My lay out is only 12 X 16 multi level. only operating up to 10 engines at any given time.

Thanks

NickyB.

NickyB

  • Member since
    March 2010
  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
  • 252 posts
Posted by CNR378 on Friday, February 22, 2013 2:57 PM

Your DB150 is all you need.

Peter

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,932 posts
Posted by Stevert on Friday, February 22, 2013 3:01 PM

Why do you think your Zephyr can't be fixed?  Did you send it back to Digitrax?

http://www.digitrax.com/support/returns/

Having said that, yes, your DB150 is both a command station and a booster, so you can use it instead of your Zephyr.

  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: SE Minnesota
  • 6,847 posts
Posted by jrbernier on Friday, February 22, 2013 3:19 PM

  What do you mean your DCS50 cannot be fixed?  Digitrax will fix if for a flat fee($25 plus you need to ship/insure it).

   That booster you have is it a DB100 or DB150? - Big difference.  The DB100+ & DB100a were boosters that used special throttle connection that had the 'command' station logic in them.  The DB150 can be configured as a Command station or as a Booster.

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, February 22, 2013 4:31 PM

 He said he has a DB100, and some people are telling him to get a DB150, others are telling him to get a DCS100.

 If you get a DB150, you will have a command station that cna handle 22 simultaneous locos, more than the Zephyr. What it would be missing is a readback program track.

 

If you get a DCS100 (much more expensive) you would get a command station that can handle up to 120 locos, and it will have the readback program track and all.

 

Another option is a Zephyr Xtra, that would get you back to what you are familiar with, plus some extra capacity, such as 20 locos vs the 10 of the old Zephyr. You would still have the readback program track.

 

But verify absolutely that your Zephyr cannot be repaired - I'd be surprised if it wasn't.

              --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    June 2010
  • From: New Bern North Carolina
  • 124 posts
Posted by nickyb on Saturday, February 23, 2013 9:55 AM

Thank You Randy

                                   

NickyB

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 1,206 posts
Posted by mfm37 on Saturday, February 23, 2013 10:57 AM

Another option would be to fill this form  out. Send the DCS50 along with a check for $25 to Digitrax and get it fixed. That is of course if it wasn't run over by a truck.

For a quick and most economical replacement , I'd buy a Zephyr Extra.

Martin Myers

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