How many locos do you intend to run at the same time? If under 10, use the Zephyr as the command station and the DB150 as a booster. You will then have dedicated program track capability on the layout, in addition to the PR3 for the workbench. Use the Zephyr's track outputs as a seperate power district or do what I did, use it to run your accessory decoders so they don;t take away from available track power.
If you need to run more than 10 locos at the same time, use the DB150 as the command station and configure the Zephyr as a booster. The Zephyr output can drive accessory decoders, and the Zephyr throttle still works, and can be located near a yard or large industrial area where the walkaround capability is not as needed.
--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 don't know what throttle the Z comes with, but they'll have to pry my DT400's from my cold dead hands. So, for me it is the SEB. I don't care about readback...I want to be able to spank my decoders into submission, and the SEB does that handily. So, if you want my opinion, my choice would be option #2.
I doubt very much if you'll run the power supply to shut-down with 5 amps continuous rating. Just make sure it is mounted so that it can cool itself. On the floor is not cooling itself. In a box or in a cabinet is not cooling itself. It needs air currents around it.
If you and some friends are going to be operating three or four sound engine consists with some long trains, then, yes, maybe one booster would help. But if you are a lone wolf, you only need maybe 3 amps.
Crandell
oops ;sorry HO scale ..Jerry
You don't mention what scale you model in. I would think about the current draw from running many sound equiped loco's would be something to think about if you are in HO. My club has had some problems with the Empire Builder shutting down due to overloading with six sound equiped loco's plus a few lighted passenger cars running at the same time. It's not a wiring problem. 14 awg buss and 20awg feeders every three to four feet. Sell the Zepher and use the bucks to get a 402R and a UR92 and go wireless..
OK, got my new toy and Im concidering install options , heres my equip list. new 5amp EB extra /402 (tethered), pr3 standalone @computer right now , old style Zepher ,2 pxar revsers ... so I no the EB does not read ,but thats what the PR-3 is for so..
1. should I use Zepher as comand & EB as boster ,EB will supply the 2 reversers and great wilderness/zeph the yard duty..
2. sell the Zephyr ( recoup some cash) and power the whole thing with the EB in comand mode ,stand alone PR-3 for programing...
3. some other Ideas Ive not concidered..
notes :never run more than 6-7 power units @ a time,most w/sound. about 180' of main incl.helix ,yard,2 levels 13x16 room ,one operator mabe two,like switching while ocasional trains come though..oops HO
concerned about this danger of programing everything issue w/EB in command mode ,but still dont understand how it happens yet as its new..
well thats it any advise...Jerry