Digitrax, or the shop that claims to be knowledgable about Digitrax made those recommendations? Because the LHS I usually frequent gets people in all the time who are hopelessly lost because they have a 4x8 loop of Bachmann EZ-Track and some other shop told them they NEED a Super Chief system to run it. Overselling does as much to turn people off as underselling, maybe more. And if it was someone at Digitrax I think the powers that be might want to know who that is because unless you intend on having a couple dozen locos runnign at the same time, all with sound, there is NO WAY you will need an 8 amp system PLUS another 8 amp booster. I've run 8 locos, 4 of them with sound, on a Zephyr which is 2.5 amps. Still baffles me how people get the notion that when you go with DCC you suddenly need tons of power. On a REALLY HUGE layout it's possible that you might need an extra booster even without a lot of trains running, simply because 100+ feet of wire is goign to have too much voltage drop
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I am new to DCC and when I decided to get back into model railroading (after a 30 year break), my local hobby shop recommended Digitrax. I provided Digitrax all the information about my layout (Cajon Pass, Salt Lake and Santa Fe by the late John Armstrong). They recommended the system I bought and they also suggested a future purchase of a DB200+ booster (8 amp) may be necessary. All my engines are Rivarossi steam about 30 to 35 years old. I assumed that was why they recommended an 8 amp system.
Dad's toy
I fully sympathize with you. Last year I contacted Digitrax asking their recommendations to power my 10x20 foot HO layout. They recommended their Radio equipped Super Chief Premium set, PS2012, PM42s, PS14s and eventually their DB200+. I just received the Super Chief XTRA Duplex 8 amp Radio and the components they recommended only to find out that the YC52 cable from the PS2012 is rated at a max of 5 amps. I contacted their Tech Support group and was told there is no 8 amp Y cable. A subsequent response from the Tech Support Group recommended "get a circuit breaker, fuse, or a poly fuse...".
I would have thought that if all these "recommended" Digitrax components were on the same order, an appropriate (8 amp) cable would have been included. Or, worse case, they should inform customers of the need to fabricate the correct amperage cable prior to the sale.
I had forwarded a link to this thread to the powers that be at Digitrax and they were making every effort to contact the OP to provide help, so I hope that he is taken care of at this point? Apparently Digitrax had recently switched vendors for the PS14 with the result that some units did make it out of the factory with incorrect labels. This is now being addressed with new labeling. I think we can safely say that there was no ill intent here, as a reputable company, Digitrax would hardly jeopardize their reputation on a labelling issue for a relatively small (but important part) in their product line.
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
When the PS14 was first introduced they were coming from Jameco. Perhaps Jameco or Digitrax switched suppliers and Digitrax hasn't run out of cardboard boxes and labels yet. Anyone have one of the first PS14's to have a look at the label?
As far as the cases. The throttle cases are from Serpac. The battery cover is not available separately because they have to shoot the whole mold to get the battery cover.
Probably why Simon's post below it doesn;t make a lot of sense. I dont think I in any way insinuated that all the manufacturers use the same case, it's clearly obvious they do not. What I said was that Digitrax uses the same case across multiple products, just like NCE uses the same case across multiple products. Not that NCE and Digitrax use the same cases.
I must have been having a senior moment and misinterpreted the post before mine. I edited the post to avoid confusing anyone else
Springfield PA
simon1966MichaelCThe PS14 is sold as a separate item. It is packaged as a separate item. That package states "Made in the U.S.A."To say that is not a "lie" is attempting to "spin" the truth, which makes it a "lie".I don't believe for one minute that it is a deliberate lie.
MichaelCThe PS14 is sold as a separate item. It is packaged as a separate item. That package states "Made in the U.S.A."To say that is not a "lie" is attempting to "spin" the truth, which makes it a "lie".
I don't believe for one minute that it is a deliberate lie.
Hopefully it was an honest mistake. Mistakes happen regardless of all the best intentions. I would hope that it is corrected and acknowledged by Digitrax. I could accept that. However, I will be keeping my guard up if you catch my drift.
As I have already stated, I believe it is a good system with much potential. There are so few companies in this day & age that you can trust. I hope Digitrax is one of them. Everyone likes a knight in shinning armor.
HamltnblueI just switched back and forth between the NCE and MRC and don't see how the 2 can be using the same case. Similar shape but definitely different
I thought I was following this thread pretty closely, but I don't remember reading where anyone said those two cases were the same. The only post I saw regarding similar cases spoke about the ProCab and the PowerCab, both NCE products.
rrinker Good luck finding any wall-wart made in the USA. You are not "being lied to", the command station, throttle, UR92, and decoders are all made in the USA.
Good luck finding any wall-wart made in the USA. You are not "being lied to", the command station, throttle, UR92, and decoders are all made in the USA.
The PS14 is sold as a separate item. It is packaged as a separate item. That package states "Made in the U.S.A."To say that is not a "lie" is attempting to "spin" the truth, which makes it a "lie".
Whether one is able to find a DC transformer (aka wall-wart) made in the U.S. is irrelevant as far as this discussion goes. There is at least a perceived advantage to selling products made in the U.S. Why else would the packing state it's (supposed) origin in bold red letters in a larger font than the surrounding text?
I agree the Digitrax system has advantages over the competition. That's why I bought it. I realize there are costs associated with redesigning and certifying equipment. Still, that is no excuse to cut corners rather than do it correctly. That mindset will damage their reputation, resulting in a loss of market share, and bottom line profit.
The DT402D sports a premium price. I have no problem with paying a premium price but I expect premium merchandise in return. If I wanted a so-so DCC system to save money, I could have bought from another manufacturer. I won't name brand names in hopes of avoiding another fire storm
I appreciate your thoughts on the subject.
Well here is the DT40x case that Digitrax uses, http://www.serpac.com/Products/Mseries/M8.aspx if you search the web for electronic enclosures, you will more than likely find the ones that NCE and MRC use, which are clearly not the same. Note that the case Digitrax uses comes from the manufacturer with the 9V battery terminals pre-installed.
It CAN be done, but you have to use a very tiny switch, like the one on the bottom of my mouse that I can't really work with my finger.
There are tons of posts all the time about "if they just fo this" Well, Digitrax does not make thae case, just the electronics inside. You can buy the blank version from Mouser and.or Digi-Key. Notice the DS64 and PR3 use the same case, and the DT100/DT300/UT1/UT2/UT4 have all used the same case - this is how a company keeps costs down, instead of having a custom-molded case for each and every product. DCC equipment already sells for a relatively higher cost than similarly complex consumer electronics simply becuase for ever DCC throttle sold, there are thousdands of cell phone sold. Notice everyone else does the same thing as well, the basic case for the NCE PowerCab and ProCab is the same, are are both the Cab04 and Cab05.
If one is to take the battery out and revers it, why not just leave it out?
That is what I have been doing so far.
The same amount of work with none of the problems.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
The simplest solution would be an on / off switch.
Another solution would be two vertical springs similar to the ones used on the electrical end, not connected to anything, so there would be no short circuit.
An even simpler solution would be something non conductive at the tension spring end.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
rrinker I'm not even sure what would posess someone to stick that battery in with both terminals touching a large piece of metal.
I don't think the issue is when someone is instructed to put the battery in the first time. What normally happens then is that the individual opens up the device and actually looks to see the proper battery orientation. I believe that the error occurs when the individual, who may not be familiar with the device, is told to "turn the battery over and put it back in" when they're done playing. I think "turning the battery over" can be open to interpretation, and I've seen the batteries re-installed for storage incorrectly several times.
And Digitrax must have thought that the question of battery installation, or rather incorrect installation, was important enough to address it on page 21 of their DT400 instruction manual with a pictorial that actually shows the proper installation.
The short cable is long enough to simply fold over the back and trap under your hand while you hold the throttle. Or just get a rubber band - this is such a minor disadvantage comapred to all teh advantages Digitrax has it is barely worth mentioning. The other use for that cable, besides the quick way to aquire the layout ID, is for firmware updates. The DT402 series throttles all have user-updateable firmware. Perhaps someoen ought to mention this to Digitrax - it shouldn;t be too difficult to put a piece of code in the throttle that puts it in a sleep mode if you hold down a key or two. That heavy metal battery spring should NOT be changed to some flimsy plastic thing. I'm not even sure what would posess someone to stick that battery in with both terminals touching a large piece of metal.
Simon's right about the wire - it is NOT the antenna, nor was it the antenna for the DT400R, which DID need to plug in to aquire a loco. But to remove the wire would invalidate the FCC certification, as stupi as that seems. And the cost of FCC certification is anything but trivial to smaller companies like Digitrax.
Sorry MFM37, I mistakenly thought he was talking about a tethered throttle with a cord. I shouldnt have posted.
HamltnblueI agree that the cord is a plus but why not have it removable so that different lengths can be used?
I agree that the cord is a plus but why not have it removable so that different lengths can be used?
Because to do so would require a socket/plug, which is more cost. And to accommodate that socket would at the very least require additional tool work for the case and a redesign of the internal circuit board, which is even more cost. Then they'd also have to re-submit the device to the FCC for type approval, which is, once again, more cost.
Remember, the basic design of this throttle case and board dates back to the original, non-radio DT400. None of this radio or short cord stuff was an issue at the time. But to re-design it now because a few folks (and it really is only a few) would like it to be different is a high-cost, low-return endeavor. It would simply be a bad business decision.
Since Digitrax recommends reversing the battery in the case, you will not damage anything by the reversed polarity, but if you put the battery in reversed 180 degrees, it will short the battery, cause it to overheat, go dead and possibly leak into the throttle + maybe melt the case with the heat generated as it does get very hot.
Phoebe VetAll three of mine had to be plugged in the first time I used them out of the box...but never again.
All three of mine had to be plugged in the first time I used them out of the box...but never again.
mrgstrainSound's like MFM 37 is trying to start something over something he knows nothing about (probably because it is MRC) the Advance Sq. is not a radio throttle. I also know someone that put the battery in backwards in his Digitrax throttle and had to seen it in for repair, so it must casue some type of damage.
Sound's like MFM 37 is trying to start something over something he knows nothing about (probably because it is MRC) the Advance Sq. is not a radio throttle.
I also know someone that put the battery in backwards in his Digitrax throttle and had to seen it in for repair, so it must casue some type of damage.
Not trying to start something. I was wondering why someone would mention adding a 14 foot tether to a non radio MRC throttle when the thread was actually about a duplex radio Digitrax system. Having been DCC since 1996, I do have knowledge of MRC's systems, btw.
Putting the battery in backwards could cause some damage to the plastic case and the metal spring. As I said, it gets very hot when shorted across a new 9volt battery. It being the metal spring. I've never seen a throttle damaged to a point that it would no longer function as a throttle and repairs were required in order to use it.
BTW, I totally agree that the dam things should have a way of turning power off.
Martin Myers
If it was removable wouldn't it make everyone happy? Those who didn't want to lose it simply would leave it on and those who wanted to use larger cords would be able to. I still have a feeling it's doubling as an antenna but am probably wrong
Phoebe VetThe 402D does not have to be plugged in to acquire the network. It will remember the network to which it was linked the last time it was powered on.
Hamltnblue I'm in the middle of reading the DT402 manual to try to understand the issues and I think the product is pretty good. I think I found the battery issue. It's not reverse polarity that damages the unit but it's when you totally flip the battery over with the connections pointing the wrong direction. The manual says :Do not install battery in this orientation, it willcause serious damage to the throttle". They should definitely fix that.
I'm in the middle of reading the DT402 manual to try to understand the issues and I think the product is pretty good. I think I found the battery issue. It's not reverse polarity that damages the unit but it's when you totally flip the battery over with the connections pointing the wrong direction. The manual says :Do not install battery in this orientation, it willcause serious damage to the throttle".
They should definitely fix that.
I am inspecting the battery well of my DT400R and the springily part that hold the battery in place is not connected at all to any part of the throttle electronic. But a melt down of the plastic case may occur if the battery is flipped in the wrong direction.
At the club we are using Digitrax Radio since 1999 and no one so far as ever flipped a battery in the wrong direction.
A few members already installed micro on/off switches to their throttles to lengthen battery life.
Jack W.
Hamltnblue Just a thought but maybe the cable is permanent because it might house the antenna?
Just a thought but maybe the cable is permanent because it might house the antenna?
Nope the cord is not part of the antenna.