Convert command station to booster? Digitrax

[gmpullman]

I recently expanded my DCC empire and using Alan Gartner's advice, instead of buying a booster I bought a Super Chief so I would get another throttle, spare C/S if ever needed etc.
So what I want to do is use my former DCS 100 as a booster but it has "Prog. A-B" on the connecter and not "Config A-B" as the DB150 Booster does.
How do I convert the DCS 100 to booster only mode?
Thanks, Ed

[jwr_1986]

You need to set OpSw 2 to closed. You'll find that in the back of your super cheif manual. Should be page 115.

Here are the instructions as copied from the digitrax manual.

Changing DCS100 Option Switches
1. See the DCS100 Option Switch Table below to decide which option
switches you want to change.
2. Move the MODE toggle switch on the front of the DCS100 into the
"OP" position . The LocoNet Railsync will go inactive & all
other boosters plugged in to LocoNet, including the one that is built
into the DCS100, will shut down.
3. Disconnect LocoNet from the DCS100 you are configuring.
4. Connect your DT400 throttle directly to either DCS100 LocoNet jack
A or B.
5. Press the SWCH Key on the DT400 to enter Sw (Switch) mode.
Since the DCS100’s MODE toggle switch is set to "OP", switch
commands from your throttle will now control DCS100 option
switch settings instead of the accessory decoders (usually turnouts)
on the layout!
6. Key in the number of the OpSw. As you browse through the OpSws,
the right side of the text area will show the current setting for each
OpSw , either “c” or “t”.
7. Use the CLOC c Key to set the OpSw to c (closed) or the OPTN
t Key to set the OpSw to t (thrown).
8. Exit DCS100 Option Switch Mode by moving the MODE toggle
switch on the DCS100 to RUN . Remember to reconnect
LocoNet to the DCS100. Track power will be off so you will need
to use your DT400 to turn it on again before you can run trains.

Hope this helps.

Jesse

[gmpullman]

Thanks Jesse
I'll give it a shot... OpSw 2 says do not change in the Table. For some reason Digitrax only wants us to use DB150s as boosters. I wish Digitrax would say "open" or "Closed" for switch positions... when I "throw" a switch it can mean anything!

[jwr_1986]

You are right. i didn't even notice the do not change part. It does say close the switch. The default position is thrown. Good luck

Jesse

[rrinker]

They have a very good reason for that recommendation - saving you money! The idea of a spare command station is very good, allows you to keep running even if a problem develops and you have to ship one unit back for servicing. However, when operating in "booster only" mode, there is no fundamental difference between a DB150 and a DCS100, other than the more than $100 difference in price.
The settings are in the manual though, even my Zephyr manual shows the OpSw settings to make it a booster only. That one (OpSW 2) is sort of a special case. Yeah, it says "Do not change" but then it tells you exactly what it does - notice none of the other "do not change" ones give you any of the behind-the-scenes details. My guess is too many people were fiddling with it and ended up not being able to run any trains, all because they set their one and only DCS100 to booster mode.

--Randy

[gmpullman]

I agree Randy. In my case I bought a Chief II from a friend at a great price. I knew my layout would require at least one additional booster but instead of buying the DB-150 I opted for a Super Chief starter set that gave me one more radio reciever and the improved DT-400 throttle at a slightly better savings. So here I am with a DCS 100 and a DCS 200... hence needing to disable the command station portion on the DCS 100.
Thanks, Ed

[rrinker]

That's why I'm planning to buy a Super Empire Builder. I want a DT400, and I need an additional booster, and the set is cheaper than the DB150 and DT400 seperately, and an extra UP5 certainly won't hurt...
For now the Zephyr is my command station. 10 (or is it 12? I really gotta test that out for sure) locos are plenty of capacity for now. Maybe later I will need a DCS100. But right now it's just me and one or MAYBE 2 other people.

--Randy

[Chestertrains]

Good day.  i am confused about the DCS 100.  I note the comments in this thread about changing OpSw 2.  I have two DCS 100's.  My question hopefully easily answered:  I want one DCS 100 as the and the other DCS 100 a booster only.  Should I change the Command Sation or the to be booster to OpSW 2?  Thanks in advance for your kind connsideration of my question.  David Miller

[betamax]

According to KB371: DCS100 - Converting to a booster and KB491: DCS100 and DCS200 Command Station Option Switches by changing option switch 2 from "thrown" to "closed" sets it to 'booster only' mode.