Yes, their are a million posts on this,but which one would be better? I plan on running 2 maybe 3 trains ( only 2 engines coupled together ) at once on my layout once it's built. Should I go with the 5 amp system for $355 or the 8 amp for $475?
Tony,
If you're sold on Digitrax and your layout is small-to-medium in size, the 3-amp Zephyr Xtra may be a viable option for you. You could have that for <$200.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
There is no way that 2 locos will come close to maxing out a 5 amp system, the 8 amp would be way overkill. If you are in HO or N, Tom is correct in pointing out the Z-Xtra as being a viable alternative, get it and an extra hand held throttle and have a more versatile solution.
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'm going to run HO. The track work is being designed now,but it won't be anything to large.
Never knew you could use a hand held with the Zephyr. Can additional booster be added if need or no?
tony314 I'm going to run HO. The track work is being designed now,but it won't be anything to large. Never knew you could use a hand held with the Zephyr. Can additional booster be added if need or no?
All the Digitrax accessories work with the Zephyr, including all the available throttles, but the hand held throttles cost extra with the Zephyr.
Yes you can add a booster, but I can't picture you ever needing one for the layout you have described.
5 amps is plenty. 2.5 amps is plenty.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
I saw go with the Super Empire Builder, $284 at Model Train Stuff that comes with the corded throttle, http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/Digitrax-SEBX-Super-Empire-Builder-Xtra-5-Amp-p/dig-sebx.htm If you went with the Zephyer and bought the extra throttle you would be at $318. I did not know who big I would end up on layout and figured spending the extra for the SEB would be save me in the long run and I am glad I did. I have more locos that I figured I would ever own and I love the dual control throttle so I can easily run two trains at once. Sometimes I will run more with couple running on the main lines and doing some switching / local deliveries.
tony314I'm going to run HO. The track work is being designed now,but it won't be anything to large. Never knew you could use a hand held with the Zephyr. Can additional booster be added if need or no?
Yes, you can add a booster to the Zephyr but you probably won't need it. As it sounds, the Zephyr Xtra would work just fine for your needs...AND it's expandible if your layout grows.
From what I understand from the Digitrax guys here on the forum, the Zephyr itself can be used as a booster, should you outgrow it's capacity. That's a pretty handy upgrade path.
I agree with the ideas mentioned, a 3 amp ZephyrXtra will be more than enough for your needs. i regularly run four, sometimes five, sound locos with my 2.5 amp Zephyr with no problem.
Figure about 1/2 amp per loco. Some less, some more-sound, lights--it can add up. Also, if you have locos idling in the yard(just sitting with power) they use a little amperage too. That's just another reason on some yard tracks we cut power. I can't recall if the new zephyr has access to all the functions of a DT402D, but function control wireless or wired as well as acquiring/dispatching locos is something for you to consider.
Digitrax has a pretty good chart(brochure) telling you what will work with what, keeping in mind the LAN is what ties it together. Some items like the UR91 don't work with the DT402D for bidirectional radio. I also use a PTB-100 from Soundtraxx to help program the sound decoders and have an rrcircuits LocoBuffer to tie in the laptop to the LAN. Some prefer the Digitrax PR3 and it may be a better choice.
We run around 10 locos and have others sitting receiving power(practically all with sound) and use the DCS200 (8amp). We also have plans to grow some. BTW, be sure and match the power supply to the unit as far as amps. The Zephyr comes with a power supply, the others don't. So, that's extra money.
Richard
2-3 trains can easily be handled by the original Zephyr - which some places are closing out for very discounted prices now that the Zephyr Xtra is out. I had as many as 8 locos, 4 with sound, runnign on my Zephyr at the same time.
Digitrax stuff is always upgradeable and expandable with no leftover equipment or 'spare parts' which does have the detrimental effect that you won't generally find old Digitrax equipment for cheap on ebay - in all the years that Digitrax has been makign DCC equipment, there is exactly ONE item they sold that cnnot be used on a modern system - an adapter dongle made for use with one of their original sytsems prior to Loconet. So the old pieces - older boosters, older throttles - are still perfectly useable in a modern system .
ANythign and everythign can run off a Zephyr - you can add plug in throttles, or add the radio stuff. You can connect block detectors and signal drivers. It all works, even witht he Zephyr as the heart of the system. I DID add a DB150 booster to my Zephyr, but I really don't need 5 amps to handle my layout. I wanted to divide out the power for the track from the accessory decoders. So the output of the DV150 goes to my track, the output of the Zephyr goes to my stationary decoders.
Over the years I've added a DT400 throttle, a DT402 throttle, and an old DT100 throttle. If I find one cheap maybe I'll buy a DT300 just so I can say I have a complete set
--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 can't disagree with any opinion expressed here so far. I would just caution the asking gentleman to consider future possibilities, likelihoods, or eventualities in terms of what you may end up needing before long. If you would just as soon not have to pay for something else, or something additional, in a very few months so that you can manage your growing empire, and if money isn't so tight right now, maybe another system would be the better choice to grow into.
Again, no disagreement...either of the Zephyrs, and other systems made by NCE and MRC, as examples, should do you very nicely for now. I just say this as a guy who bought a Super Empire Builder five years ago, with its five amp potential, and I feel secure knowing that I will almost certainly never have to add to it for want of power. Maybe feature-wise it is a bit dated....okay, quite a bit dated...but that thing spanks every and any decoder it meets.
My message is to not get stuck on Digitrax if another slightly more powerful system is going to serve you better in the long run. As Randy points out, you would be well-served even by the original Z, certainly for now.
Crandell
Another advantage for the Zephyr is the "jump" ports. This lets you use one or two analog power packs as DCC throttles. You use the Zephyr to select which DCC locomotives you want the dc throttle to control, then control that locomotive's speed and direction with that dc throttle. The dc throttle doesn't supply any power, so you can use those cheap train set throttles for this.
It's a good way to experience the multi-train operating capability of DCC without a large initial expense.
John
If everybody is thinking alike, then nobody is really thinking.
http://photobucket.com/tandarailroad/
Based on your question, it seems you can afford the 5 amp system. Since you also asked about the 8 amp system for 475 I'd highly suggest you get the 5 amp radio system. The zephyr is nice but once you are able to just walk around and run trains untethered you'll never consider anything else IMO
Springfield PA
By the way tony314. I thought I remembered you and after a quick check saw your wife had a problem with a 200 buck loco purchase.
http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/t/186037.aspx?PageIndex=1
Are you going for the 2 story dog house this time?