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Digitrax Starter Set Differences

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  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Digitrax Starter Set Differences
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:00 PM

Can someone please explain the importance of the differences between the Super Empire Builder Xrta and Super Chief Xtra 5A starter sets?  Some items, such as more than 22 loco addresses won't matter to me.  If it matters, I won't operate turnouts with the DCC and don't need radio operation.

The aspects I see that might matter to me are the Super Chief's ability to program on the program track when operating the layout and the read/write vs write only programming.  The programming while operating does not seem needed for me.  But I don't understand the write only vs read/write programming of locos.  Does write only simply mean I need to keep a careful record of what I've done with each loco so I can make changes from there? Or, would I highly regret buying a write only program system because of what I could not do? 

The Empire Builder set is on sale (and I have a 10 percent off coupon) so I could get that set for about $287.  If I wait, I would likely pay about $100 more for the Super Chief set. 

Thanks for any insight on this.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:08 PM

 Biggest difference, besides the total locos and cabs supported, is that the Super Chief has a dedicated program track and the Super Empire Builder does not.

 The Zephyr Xtra has the loco capacity of the Super EMpire Builder with almost all of the features of the Super Chief, but you'd have to add a walkaround throttle if you want one. It's 3 amps vs 5, but the power supply is included, and 3 amps is enough for at LEAST 8 HO locos, which is as many as I had running on my original Zephyr, rated at 2.5 amps. Zephyr Xtra plus a DT402 gives you effectively a 3 amp version of the Super Chief, dedicated program track and all. Plus an extra throttle, with the Zephyr console and the DT402.

              --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:16 PM

Thanks.  Can you explain the write only vs read/write aspect?  Should I care about that?

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, January 22, 2012 5:20 PM

Another clarity item...if there's no separate program track, to program an engine can other ones also be on the layout and it will just address the one needing change, or do all others need to be removed from the layout?  I presume more than one can be there otherwise consisting would be impossible(??).

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Sunday, January 22, 2012 6:26 PM

 On the Super Empire Builder, you cna do write-only programming. When you go into program mode, it sends the commands out the same terminals that wire to your track. Therefore anythign sitting on the track will get programmed. You avoide this by installing a DPDT toggel in the track feed with the center connected to the terminals on the DB150 (booster that comes with the Super EMpire Builder, and easier to type that then the full name). One side conencts to the track bus, the other side to an isolated section of track. Always remember to flip the toggle and you won;lt have to worry about takign all locos off the track. Or, NCE has an automatic switch unit for their PowerCab, but it will also work with Digitrax, and it automatically (with a relay) flips to the program track so there's nothign to forget.

 The Zephyr and Super Chief has 2 sets of terminasl on the main unit, one goes tot he track and one to a dedicated ection of track for the program track. When in program mode, the commands go out the program track connections and not the main track. Both systems allow you to read as well as write CVs.

 All three systems also have Ops Mode or programming on the main, this sends program commands on the main track but only to the selected address, This is write-only unless you configure transponding and use only Digitrax decoders (ie, not practical).

 None of this really has anything to do with consisting as the Digitrax default for consisting uses the command station to store the consist. Nothing in the decoder is changed when adding or removing it from a consist using the default method with Digitrax.

 The other alternative is to add a standalone programmign device liek the PR3 or SPROG to the Super EMpire Builder. All programming would be done off the layout then (except Ops Mode), but this also requires a computer to hook up to the programmign device. Either one provides read/write programming, the PR3 can also connect to the SEB to control trains, operate turnouts, etc.

                      --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • 2,616 posts
Posted by peahrens on Sunday, January 22, 2012 7:21 PM

Sounds like too big a decision to make in a hyurry...I think I'll order my turnouts and determine my DCC hardware along the way since it will take me awhile to build the framing & subroadbed, get the turnouts wired, track laid, control panel (for turnouts mainly) built, etc. 

The discussion makes me realize I will spend some significant $ on the DCC base system, associated power supply (if not included), reversing loop controllers, etc.  I'm not 100% on Digitrax at this point...may need to look at NCE and/or Lenz some more.  No hurry so I'll forego the current sale price on the Digitrax SEBX.

Thanks for the info.

Paul

Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent

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