steamfreightboy,
Actually, no one. But, even as a NCE user, if jkroft is happy and familiar with Digitrax, it makes more sense - both logistically and economically - to stick with and upgrade within Digitrax.
The nice thing about the Digitrax system is that you can take the Zephyr, incorporate it into a Super Chief, and use it as a booster. NCE doesn't utilize all of their systems into an upgrade path quite as well as Digitrax does.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I'm surprised NCE hasn't entered this conversaion yet.
jkroft,For starters, is the Zephyr the only throttle you have?
As for size...I have a 25' x 50' HO layout with a 200' long mainline that's run by my Zephyr, and it's operated with three people about twice a month these days. I have 3 DT400R radio throttles and a UR91 radio receiver, but I have no reverse loops or circuit breakers. I have been using my Z for the last 5-6 years, and I'm still satisfied with it's performance. So far, I don't have enough power problems to feel the need to upgrade to any thing else.
WRT your consisting problems, I've found that if you always unconsist your trains after you are done running them that some of these issues go away. Also, make sure you turn off any functions like lights when locos are not in use. When locos are in a consist or when they have active functions, they still take up a memory slot in the Z's brain. This can cause problems over time. If you don't do that, try routinely clearing out the slots by accessing OPSW 36. This will reset the slots and free up some memory.
For the PSX...they seem to be having problems with all Digitrax systems. I know my club is having problems with them, and we're running a DCS100 with 8 DB200 boosters. All our PSX breakers are going back to Tony's for a fix...we hope. This appears to be a PSX problem, and not a Digitrax one. BTW, we have dozens of old PSIII and PS(One) breakers, and they don't have this problem (but the PSIII's just stop working for no reason...the PS(One)'s are so far the best we've had).
For auto-reversing, I would try the MRC reverser (it's worked on our club layout) or the Digitrax PM42 (which we've also been using with good success). I'd send the PSX back to Tony's and get a credit towards something that works.
Lastly, consisting with the Z can be...odd. So much so that I make and break all my consists with my DT400's and forget using the Z itself for that task. IMHO, you don't really need a new command station, it sounds like you need a DT400. The DT400 is much easier to use then the Z's keyboard for programming and consisting. The Z is a basic starter set, but with the addition of a DT400 throttle, you have a top-of-the-line DCC system that's only limited by 2.5 amps and 10 address slots. Other than that, it does just about everything the DCS100 does.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
Jack W.
I haven't tried doing consisting with the Zephyr. I just plug my DT400 in the back, and consist away.
At the club (DCS 100 there) I set up a couple of engines into an advanced consist, and haven't had any problems. On Digitrax, it seems to be for the engine facing backwards in the consist, CV 19 needs to be set to the consist address + 128, so it runs the opposite direction of the other one. I can still punch up the 4-digit address and turn the headlights on-off, etc.
Mike WSOR engineer | HO scale since 1988 | Visit our club www.WCGandyDancers.com
"You show me a man with both feet on the ground and I'll show you a man who can't get his pants on." -anonymous
I have to agree with the other posters. Unless you're really dissatisfied with Digitrax for some reason, there's really no good reason to trash your current investment. And that applies to your investment in "layout labor" (LocoNet wiring, etc) as well as equipment.
One of the really nice things about Digitrax, and the Zephyr in particular, is the upgrade path. As you mentioned, you could get the DCS100 to add amps and slots, use your Zephyr as a yard booster/throttle, and not lose any of your current investment.
As for your PSX auto-reverser, I seem to recall that the instructions specifically address the issue you're seeing with the Zephyr. See the information about CV49, and the inrush boost mode, here:
http://www.dccspecialties.com/products/pdf/man_psxar.pdf
HTH,Steve
Aside from the reverser, do you have any other bits like throttles that you are using with your Z?
What are the limits that you are hitting with the Zephyr? Unless you are running 10 locos or more at once the chances are that you are not hitting either the slot limit, or the power limit of the Zephyr. If the 10 slot limit is a problem then you will have to get a new command station to take control. A DCS100 is the only way to go within the Digitrax range. If the 10 slot limit is not a problem then the Z can stay as the command station and you can add a DB150 as a booster to give yourself an additional 5 Amps.
In my case I started with a Zephyr. Purchased a Super Empire Builder (DB150 and DT400 throttle) cheap on e-bay and now have 2 power districts, 2.5A from the Z and 5A from the DB150. The Z continues as the command station. I have also added a UT4, 2 jump throttles and a Locobuffer II with Decoder Pro running a PC throttle as well, for a total of 6 working throttles. I am patiently (actually not very patiently) awaiting the release of duplex radio and possibly a new throttle from Digitrax to upgrade to radio.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I guess it depends on your situation. The Zephyr can run something like 8-10 engines at the same time. Do you (or do you intend to) run more than that?? If so, you could buy a booster for the Zephyr.
You can add walkaround and wireless walkaround to the Zephyr too.
If the problem is that you're dissatisfied with Digitrax, then you could consider starting over with a different system.
Not sure about the auto-reverser, mine works fine with my Zephyr, but I think mine is from Digitrax?? Can't remember right now.
It appears the you are ready to expand your Digitrax System as you are at or over the capacity limit for your Zepher (10 Locomotive Addresses and 2.5 AMPS). I would suggest you consider upgrading to a Digitrax Chief (DCS100) which will allow 120 Locomotive Addresses and 5.0 Amps of power. You can connect your Zepher to your Chief via Loconet and use it as a booster. (Your Digitrax Zepher Manual will tell you how to convert your Zepher to booster mode.)
You should also purchase a Digitrax PR3 which will allow you to use Decoder Pro with your Digitrax System. You can use Decoder Pro to program your locomotive decoders and consists. You can also use Decoder Pro with your computer to have multiple computer throttles for your layout. If you get a PR3 and use Decoder Pro, you will not need to get a Digitrax DT-400. (I have a DT-400R and just use it to run trains as using Decoder Pro is much easier than punching a lot of CVs on the throttle.)
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I like to start my research by asking some general opinions and go from there. So... should I just buy a Super Chief and use my Zephyr as a yard throttle? Should I look into something different? Perhaps an aftermarket booster? Another brand? I know this topic has been beat to death but I haven't really researched since I bought my Zephyr 2+ years ago. I don't know what has changed or gotten better during this time. I have sixteen locos and more to come, plus my layout is just getting bigger. I'd like opinions from a reliability and operational standpoint and perhaps a little on ergonomics. I like the idea of the Digitrax Universal consisting but I've come to find that it doesn't work very well... Some locos want to run all the time despite picking a different consist. I also can't get a PSX auto-reverser to work with the Zephyr. The short trips the Zephry's power supply before the PSX no matter how low I set the PSX trip current setting.
You guys are the ones who have experience actually using different systems. I can read about them til I'm vomiting through my eyes but that won't help nearly as much.