I have a 10 x 20 double main ho layout. I will be doing very minor switching as I am more of a rail fan. No switches are on the layout now but their will be eventually. I will have a couple industries and a town scene. I will have a small yard or a staging area. At this point I only have 4 engines that will need a decoder, I have never used a DCC system but Digitrax is the way I want to go.Is the tester and read back information the Super Chief provides worth the extra money? I do not want to get wireless control as I am not willing to spend that much money on a control system
Is the Super Chief too much for me? Would the SEB be plenty?
Thank you for all responses that do not tell me that I can use the search function to find my answer,,,believe me I have tried. If you do not like the subject of this post, please just do not respond.
My railroad, my rules!
If you currently only have a maximum of 4 locos, the Zephyr Xtra will more than meet your needs. It has plenty of power to run 4 locos even if they are all sound equipped - I've run EIGHT on my original Zephyr and the Xtra has an additional half amp of power. The Xtra can run up to 22 locos simultaneously (assuming there's enough power), and it has the dedicated program track with readback feature of the Super Chief.
Physical size of the layotu is only part of the equation in determinign how much system you need. Mor eimportant is how many locos you will run at the same time, and how many people will be operating the layout.
The Zephyr can be expanded as you go, adding radio throttles, and things like additional boosters. There ar only two things the Zephyr does not have that the Super CHief does: an internal fast clock (the one in the DCS100 isn't very accurate anyway - JMRI software can be the clock source instead of the command station and it's much more accurate), and routes. With routes you cna set multipel turnouts with a single command - again JMRI can do this, or if when you add turnouts you control them with the DS63, the DS64 can do routes. Either method works with the Zephyr or any other Digitrax system.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Its your money, but 8 Amps would be way overkill for what you are proposing. Any of the 5 amp systems or even as Randy suggests the 3.5 Amp Zephyr Xtra would do the job.
Both the Chief and the EB get you the new DT402 throttle as part of the set, so if you want a hand held throttle they would be a good starting point. You can also purchase a DT402 separately and add it to a Zephyr.
If your budget stretches to it, get the Chief, the CV read-back on the program track is a very helpful feature not available on the EB. The Z has it as well as Randy points out
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
Remember also when comparing costs that the SEB Xtra and Super CHief Xtra both require a power supply that's not included, the Zephyr Xtra includes the power supply. If you buy a Zephyr plus a DT402 you'll have THREE throttles (two on the DT402) plus the two jump ports on the Zephyr right out of the box. With nothing else to buy other than decoders for your locos.
That is what I am thinking. I would probably get the 8amp since it is only $10 more though. Thanks for all the feedback, it has been helpful.
Problem with the 8 amp is getting a power supply for it. Power supplies with suitable voltage at 8 amps are not too common. Contrary to what they may claim on Tony's web site, the MagnaForce MF615 is NOT capable of a continuous 8 amp output, the voltage drops off too far as shown in their own test charts. 6 amps, sure, but not 8. For HO you need an input arounf 15VAC or about 17VDC at 8 amps. FOr the 5 amp systems, you need about 15VAC at 5 amps - such power supplies are all over the palce because more than one DCC system uses the same input. Digitrax has one, NCE has one, and the MF615 works well. SO while the booster may only eb a coupel dolalrs more for 8 amp, you may find yourself spending double for the power supply, makign it less of a deal than it appears to be.
[quote user="1trackmind"]
[/qote]dont forget an extra $20 for smoke detectors ,with 8 amps could be handi,just kidding but thats a lot a amps....Jerry