First of all, this isn't going to be a Digitrax v NCE question, I just have a few questions about how each system would work on my new layout. My new room is 20 x 14 and I have built 2 shelves around the walls. It is HO gauge and I plan to divide each shelf into 4 power districts. If you are a either a Digitrax or NCE owner, please let me know how you would supply power to the districts and the layout itself. I can see running a couple locomotives or consists on each level simultaneously, but likely little more than that. At this point, I think I will use other methods than DCC to power turnouts and lighting. For each manufacturer, which equipment would one need to buy? I was thinking either the Super CHief Xtra or the Pro Cab, both 5A. I'm willing to spend the money for a good system, but I have read many posts on this forum with people sorry that they spent hundreds of dollars needlessly.
How many people will be running trains at the same time? ie do you need more than on throttle?
Either system will do what you are asking about without any problem at all. With Digitrax the booster would go through a PM42 to break it into 4 power districts. If you are running trains yourself on 2 different levels and can keep track of what is going on, the dual knob feature of the DT402 throttle might be nice. I like the ability to control 2 trains directly without having to switch back and forth from a recall list.
BTW, when pricing out the Super Chief, don't forget you need to add the appropriate power supply as well, it is not generally included as a package.
Frankly, I don't see any advantage of one over the other for what you want to do. I would say it comes down to personal preference, which throttle feels best to you.
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 use the PSX-4 (4 breakers) from Tony's Trains and two autoreversers from the same place. That breaks my layout into 6 power districts. I run them all from a Lenz Set-100. It's a 5-amp system with plenty of power all by itself. No boosters are required.
Circuit breakers are "track-side." So, they are within the domain of "commonality" of the NMRA DCC specifications. You can use the PSX-4 and other breakers and auto-reversers with any brand of DCC system.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Mayorpete,
My layout is roughly the same size as yours, but only one level, and is powered by a Digitrax Super Chief. I use a Digitrax PM42 for my four power districts and two AR1's for my two reversing sections. No problems whatsoever, even when running double-headed, sound equipped consists.
Mayorpete. I left a message in the conversations section for you.
Springfield PA
I use NCE, but there is no difference. Get a circuit breaker as others said, wiring is the same.
I have and do the same as Stevert. I have the radio DT400R and radio UT4R throttles with my system.
Ken G Price My N-Scale Layout
Digitrax Super Empire Builder Radio System. South Valley Texas Railroad. SVTRR
N-Scale out west. 1996-1998 or so! UP, SP, Missouri Pacific, C&NW.
Running a Zepher and duplex radio with the 400r, double tier with a five loop helix, no power problems, no boosters and run 5 trains, three with sound.
Thanks so much to all of you for your help. Seems like this forum gives more excellent advice than any other. One other thing, do you think both the 5A Super Chief or the NCE Cab will power both shelves alone, assuming one or two throttles and 4 to 8 HO locomotives are running? ie: Am I going to need a a booster on the second shelf working together with the command station/booster on the first shelf? And then using a 4 district circuit breaker system on each shelf from there.
Thanks, Simon, I appreciate your help. I have seen your layout when you post other responses in addition to mine, VERY NICE. Now I need to try to find a place to run these systems, I'll look to see what the clubs in my area are running. And pay the membership if need be for the education!
Either of the 5A systems will handle your layout without problem. Of the entry level systems the Digitrax Zephyr most likely will, but I think you will be pushing the NCE PowerCab to the limit unless you add the Sb3 smartbooster. This would be especially true if you want to add a PC interface in addition to the 2nd throttle. Thanks for the comment on the layout, I am glad you enjoyed the photos.
So, then, is it possible or advisable to connect two PM42 breakers to one Super Chief booster / command station to run the 8 districts I have planned? I have it laid out this way (on paper, no track laid yet) so that none of my 12 ga bus wiring exceeds 50' as per Digitrax instructions. I have looked through the Digitrax manuals online and seem to find the answer to this. These are the questions that people who sell you stuff don't like to answer.
Ken, Like your layout slideshow. Well thought-out and fun to work on, I'll bet. Pre-UP merger lets you run different colors. Thanks for the advice.
Mayorpete.You seem to be on the way to doing every thing correctly.
I used two PM42's on my layout as two of the breakers are for reversing section. I used 12 gauge wire also for the main buss as I had lots of it from doing electrical wiring. I also used 14 gauge for the feeders as I had lots of it also. If starting from scratch and had to buy the wire it would have been 14 for the main buss and 22 for the feeder drops.
Soldering #14 wire to the PM42 pins was a pain.
Thanks for complement on the layout. It is a lot of fun to do on going operations on.
I made no attempt to solder #14 wire to a PM42. I used #18. A short length, from the connector to a terminal strip. I connected the #14 bus wire to the terminal strip. #18 isn't too bad to attach to the connector pins.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.