I plan on using the Digitrax system but I'm not sure what I should purchase. I have watched tutorials and read books on wiring and I think I have an idea of what would be best but thought someone here might be able to provide the right product list for what I want to do.
Overview.
My layout is in a 11x11 room, 2 main lines, 3 branches, passenger station, engine yard with turn table and 2 other very small yards.
I'm using all new equipment no older stock
I have decided on Digitrax and interfacing with JMRI but may also have physical switch buttons.
I will have blocking probably no more than 12
I will be using 33 turtoise switch machines. Didn't know if I needed the decoders for this
I will have some lights in towns and trains.
Probably never operating more than 4-5 trains at once all will be DCC equipped
I have one loop back section
I want to do routing with JMRI so I would like to add sensors to blocks
At a later time I will add signals and want to think ahead.
So wasn't sure how many power boosters I would need, how many decoders
Maybe one hand held but plan to connect my iPad to JMRI to Digitrax so I can use that for many things.
I"m happy to provide more information but if you can give me some idea of what you think I need I'll go forward with the purchase.
Any advice will be welcomed.
The Zephyr Express can likely handle your layout, but it's a little big to sit at one spot and run, so you'd probably be best servied with the Evolution Express set. That's 5 amps, more than enough. The DCS210+ command station/booster that comes with it has a USB port to connect a computer to run JMRI, and it comes with the new DT602 throttle which has a large color LCD.
If you plan on controlling turnouts with JMRI, then you will need stationary decoders. The DS64 will run 4 from each one (you can pair them up if you have a crossover), and allows for pushbuttons as well as DCC control. It also does feedback, which cheaper solutions generally do not. For example, if you have turnout #10 with a control on a JMRI panel as well as pushbuttons on the fascia, if you pushed the button to move the points, the JMRI representation can 'see' that change and display accordingly.
For 12 blocks, you will need 2x BXP88's. These provide occupancy detection as well as short circuit protection to 8 sections each. For the reverse section, yyuou will need one BXPA1, which provides the autoreversing and detection for a reverse loop.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Randy
Thank you - perfect. That's consistent with I got back from digitrax.
So since it goes by current on blocks I don't need sensors according to them. This is a realatively small layout not running more than 5-8 cars on one train. so just detecting the block is occupied is sufficient for my needs right now.
I sent the same note to digitrax and this is what they returned with. I may wait on signalling because I"m not sure what i want to signal yet.
What I ended up ordering is the following:
BXP88 x2
BXPA1 x1 for my one reverse loop
EVOXD - EVOXD Evolution Duplex Starter
DS64 x9 - I may have ovr purchased by one or two because i do have cross overs that will be thrown together.
The mentioned that I didn't need any boosters and that the BXP88s had power management.
As I look at this my wiring should be relatively straight forward compared to some of the layouts i've seen. Some seem to be overwired.
Thanks for your insight here it was very helpful.
Currently my layout is in Railmodeler pro - did manage to export it to JMRI and was able to assign turnouts - working on setting up blocking. I think i'll start there for the first phase of wiring.
My next step is just to cut some plywood and trace out my track design - build the table and lay some track!
OP:
You mentioned "using your iPad" as part of the control setup. Have you given any thought to using a graphical control/surface app to RUN the trains?
I'm thinking of either the Roco z21 system or perhaps the Digikeijs DR5000.
Both use the free Roco z21 app which you can try right now on your iPad in demo mode. Go to the App Store and search on "roco z21". The app you want has a red engine on a blue background. Download and install it, and you can see how everything works -- loco setup, loco control, track control, and programming. I can't think of ANY other system that lets you do this before you buy.
On my MacBook Pro, JMRI interfaces with the z21 (which uses a standalone router for wifi), no problems.
I have the white box z21 hardware and companion wifi router, but if I was buying today, I'd probably give the Digikeijs a try. The white z21 is hard to get here in the USA (I ordered from Germany), and the black box Z21 is on the expensive side (but very well-equipped). The DR5000 has the wifi built right in, and is also very well featured.
Between the z21 app and also JMRI, programming is a easy. I would have struggled any other way.