hello all. i am planning a 2 level shelf layout and am planning on making it free-mo compatible. to do this it needs to have digitrax on it. I dont have the funds for the initial cash layout for a starter set so i want to spread the cost out and buy a piece at a time. I know decoders are basically universal. and cabs have to be paired with the matching cantroller, but can i use a different booster and/or power supply than listed by the manufacturer? what i'm asking is which parts HAVE to match and which ones don't? thanks in advance guys.
Your system components (command station, boosters, and throttles) all need to be from the same manufacturer.
Decoders are totally interchangeable thanks to the DCC standard.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
Some equipment can be installed on other systems. There can be only one command station. The command station determines which throttle will work. So decide which system has a throttle that suits your needs.
Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, and CVP Zonemaster boosters can be connected to each other. Their manufacturers provide the information needed to make the connection. Other brands may but some do not. MRC and Bachmann are in the latter. I believe it would be possible to use any of the former as boosters on an MRC or Bachmann system but you would be on your own. There are also some DIY accessories and boosters.
Martin Myers
Boosters do not have to be manufacturer specific to be compatible except for the command signal interface between them. CVP Products of Richardson, Texas, makers of EasyDCC, for example, make a booster that will interface with Digitrax, NCE, and other brands of command stations.
Throttles are usually very manufacturer specific and are not interchangeable between brands.
Decoders are universally compatible if they comply with the NMRA DCC Standards.
Actually, boosters can to some degree be intermixed, but it is generally easier to stick with the same manufacturer as your command station. Also, every Digitrax command station is also a booster, and to use Digitrax you will at some point have to buy a Digitrax command station, so it does not make any sense to start out with a booster from another manufacturer since you will be buying a Digitrax one when you get the command station.
tommy2tap ...I dont have the funds for the initial cash layout for a starter set so i want to spread the cost out and buy a piece at a time...
...I dont have the funds for the initial cash layout for a starter set so i want to spread the cost out and buy a piece at a time...
You could start with a Zephyr - that has everything you need in the package. It won't be a waste as you add additonal components later. Since the release of the Zephyr Xtra there was a bit of a blowout on the original one - they were selling at the Timonium train show the other weekend for $130.
It's sort of pointless to buy other bits before you have a command station, it would all be useless until you do. The command station and throttles all have to be from the same manufacturer, there is some interopoerability with boosters, and there is complete interoperability with decoders - I have an all Digitrax system and not one of my locos has a Digitrax decoder in it.
I started off with a Zephyr. Then I added a DT400 throttle. Then I caught an old DT100 throttle on eBay for cheap. My last addition was Super Empire Builder Xtra set, which added a DB150 booster and a DT402 throttle to my system. I am still using the Zephyr as the command station since I do not seem myself ever runnign 10 locos on my layout at once. Since the SEB does not come with a power supply I picked up a MagnaFOrce MF615 on eBay cheap - I did actually get the power supply before I had the DB150, in anticipation of getting it eventually. The only reason I did that was I caught an auction and instead of the usual $50 price of the power supply, or similar Digitrax power supply, I was able to get this one for $25. I was expecting to be further along in construction before buying the DB150, but a well-known dealer was retiring and selling off his remainign stock and the price was again, too good to pass up. It actually sat in the box for a month because I had nothing to connect it to, but by snagging the last one in inventory of a closing dealer I was able to save at least $50 over the best price I've seen elsewhere for it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
cv_acr Your system components (command station, boosters, and throttles) all need to be from the same manufacturer. Decoders are totally interchangeable thanks to the DCC standard.
Actually, downstream from the CS, boosters are pretty much interchangeable.
But that said, you will probably end up paying more by buying individual components rather than a set. Example using prices from Tony's:
Super Empire Builder Extra - $284.95
vs.
DB150 - $147.59 DT402 - $149.95 UP5 - $15.95 LT1 - $4.95 (MSRP - Doesn't seem to be available separately at Tony's)
Total - $313.95 (WITHOUT the LT1)
EDIT: Unless you snag deals on the components, like Randy did. (Didn't see his post before I sent mine )
This still remains my reasoning for there even BEING a Super Empire Builder set - if you are going to buy a booster and a throttle anyway, it's liek gettign the UP5 for free and then some to buy the set instead. But even more so now that the Zephyr Xtra is available, the SEB as your only system seems even more pointless. 5 amps vs 3, but the Zephyr Xtra has a dedicated program track and now does up to F28 just like the bigger systems. And includes a power supply for the price - add another $50 to the SEB for the power supply.
rrinker But even more so now that the Zephyr Xtra is available, the SEB as your only system seems even more pointless.
Agreed. I was simply using the SEB as an example to point out that the OP's strategy of buying a piece at a time to save on costs could end up being MORE expensive than buying a "packaged set".
thank you guys for all the info, advice, and tips. i now know that i will wait and buy a packaged starter set. worlds greatest hobby on tour will be in my area in February and i hope to see vendors there as i should have enough saved by then to get a zephyr. of course if anyone has an extra laying around.....LOL.
Oh definitely - although my initial plan was to simply get a DB150 to add to my Zephyr, since I already had a DT400 and my only sound locos do not need up to F28. The great price I got on the SEB Xtra changed my mind, and now I have 3 throttles plus the Zephyr base - although I wouldn't give the DT100 to anyone unless I really hated them. In the end I did pay more - I've had the Zephyr 6 or 7 years now, the DT400 5 or 6, and then had I bought just a DB150.. spread out over years it's not such a big deal.
Best advice, figure out what you want, what you are doing now, what you plan to do, and buy accordingly. And shop carefully. I'd be harder pressed than ever to justify a second booster if I had a Zephyr Xtra instead of the older Zephyr - to be honest I still can;t really justify it as I rarely run more than 1 loco, even after my layout is complete I might run 2 or 3, the Zephyr is plenty for that. My old smalelr layout had a double track main plus a yard that could be switched withotu interfering with the main, so I planned on 3 runnign locos as a minimum for that one.
tommy2tap thank you guys for all the info, advice, and tips. i now know that i will wait and buy a packaged starter set. worlds greatest hobby on tour will be in my area in February and i hope to see vendors there as i should have enough saved by then to get a zephyr. of course if anyone has an extra laying around.....LOL.
As I said in another thread on the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra:
"I think I will be saving pretty pennies for a new Digitrax Zephyr Xtra all year so that maybe by next christmas I can run my layout with it ...
Now lets see $179.99 {plus NY wants its tax on internet sales so another $14.40} plus lets say $12.00 s&h thats a total of $206.40 So i need to save $0.57 a day or $17.20 a month....better start now..for delivery by next christmas...
Jingle Pennies, Jingle Pennies, Jingle in my bank, Oh what fun a new xtra for my layout's gonna be, Jingle Pennies, Jingle pennies, Jingle all the way..."
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
Incorrect. Boosters can be of any manufacturer PROVIDED the manual list a way to hook it to other command stations. Read the manual on the booster to be sure. I have seen mixed boosters before.
Power supplies can also be intermixed. 16VAC (2amp->5amp rating) is commonly used. Tony's trains sells a power supply which hooks to a number of boosters. I bought one for my Lenz (5 amps) for $25.00
I would personally save the $$$ first. Sometimes you get a price break when you buy complete sets. (Command station + throttle + booster) Do some shopping and compare invidual price to a set price.
Case in point Lenz Set 100 (LZV 100 + LH 100 throttle) is cheaper than the individual components if purchased seperately.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!