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" A DCC Question"

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  • Member since
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  • From: Pa.
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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Wednesday, September 19, 2012 11:24 AM

DCC Specialties PSX-AR is a really nice unit that auto has a built in automatic stall motor/snap motor switch throw.  So the turnout will automatically flip if you are in a reverse loop.

But you pay through the nose for it.

For basic no frills Digitrax AR1 works

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!

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Posted by mactier_hogger on Monday, September 17, 2012 4:13 PM

Big Smile Ha!! Not yet Lee Big Smile It's a lot more fun in HO scale Big Smile

Dean

30 years 1:1 Canadian Pacific.....now switching in HOSmile

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Posted by yankee flyer on Monday, September 17, 2012 3:08 PM

mactier_hogger

I have two AR-1's and a Zephyr, DCS51 and they work most of the time. They have a failure rate of around 4%. This after recording close to 250 trips through them over the course of several days. I suspect that because they are mechanical relays they might be somewhat affected by humidity? 

30 Years, Hmm Aren't you tired of trains by now?   Laugh

Lee

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Posted by mactier_hogger on Monday, September 17, 2012 10:31 AM

I have two AR-1's and a Zephyr, DCS51 and they work most of the time. They have a failure rate of around 4%. This after recording close to 250 trips through them over the course of several days. I suspect that because they are mechanical relays they might be somewhat affected by humidity? 

Dean

30 years 1:1 Canadian Pacific.....now switching in HOSmile

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  • From: Anderson Indiana
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Posted by rogerhensley on Monday, September 17, 2012 6:06 AM

"OP, if you get the AR1 Let us know if you are able to get it to work with the Zephyr.

Lee"

I have two and both operate well with the Zephyr. No problem.

Roger Hensley
= ECI Railroad - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/eci/eci_new.html =
= Railroads of Madison County - http://madisonrails.railfan.net/

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Posted by richhotrain on Monday, September 17, 2012 4:57 AM

yankee flyer

rrinker

 Lee's issues with the Zephyr were well publicized here. I still say there was some other underlying issue, but he had problems, sent it back for repair, still had the same problems, sent it backl again, got a new one, same problem, sent it back, and switched to a PowerCab. Sure every manufacturer has duds slip by, but to get two, plus not have the repair ix anything is way down there on the statistical likelyhood.

        --Randy

Yes, I am still stumped and wonder to this day as to what caused all my problems with the Zephyr.  I could not adjust the AR1 low enough to allow reversing. It seemed so strange that the Power Cab worked with no changes to the lay out.  That's why I ask the new guy to update his post. I type slow so my posts are short.    Didn't mean to disparage any brand.   Embarrassed  It could have been the AR1 that was defective, but the first "Z" smoked with out shutting down, the second one wouldn't start two sound engines, and ETC. 

Happy railroading.  Smile

Lee

Lee. fear not.  No one took your post as disparaging in any way. 

So, your issue was with the Zephyr, not the AR-1.  Interesting.

I have four Digitrax AR-1 units on my layout, and they operate without any problems whatsoever, but my DCC system is an NCE PH-Pro 5 amp system.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by yankee flyer on Sunday, September 16, 2012 7:09 PM

rrinker

 Lee's issues with the Zephyr were well publicized here. I still say there was some other underlying issue, but he had problems, sent it back for repair, still had the same problems, sent it backl again, got a new one, same problem, sent it back, and switched to a PowerCab. Sure every manufacturer has duds slip by, but to get two, plus not have the repair ix anything is way down there on the statistical likelyhood.

        --Randy

Yes, I am still stumped and wonder to this day as to what caused all my problems with the Zephyr.  I could not adjust the AR1 low enough to allow reversing. It seemed so strange that the Power Cab worked with no changes to the lay out.  That's why I ask the new guy to update his post. I type slow so my posts are short.    Didn't mean to disparage any brand.   Embarrassed  It could have been the AR1 that was defective, but the first "Z" smoked with out shutting down, the second one wouldn't start two sound engines, and ETC. 

Happy railroading.  Smile

Lee

  • Member since
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Posted by rrinker on Sunday, September 16, 2012 3:36 PM

 Lee's issues with the Zephyr were well publicized here. I still say there was some other underlying issue, but he had problems, sent it back for repair, still had the same problems, sent it backl again, got a new one, same problem, sent it back, and switched to a PowerCab. Sure every manufacturer has duds slip by, but to get two, plus not have the repair ix anything is way down there on the statistical likelyhood.

        --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

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

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Posted by Texas Zepher on Sunday, September 16, 2012 3:15 PM

TrainsRMe1
I saw that MRC has a reversal loop decoder that looks easy to hook up to a reversal loop and prefroms great!

Just sort of curious.  Why do you state it "performs great".  At first I thought you were in a club or were using one with adifferent controller.

, since I have a Digitraxx Zephyr..., would this MRC reversal loop decoder work with my system?

Yes.   I have two MRC automatic reversing units installed on the modular layout that I take to shows.   For over 10 years they have performed fine with different various DCC systems powering the modules - NCE, Lenz, and yes even a Digitrax Zephyr.

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Posted by richhotrain on Sunday, September 16, 2012 12:37 PM

yankee flyer

Hi

OP, if you get the AR1 Let us know if you are able to get it to work with the Zephyr.

Good luck.

Lee

Lee,

What prompts you to say that?  Have you had problems with the AR-1 wired on the Zephyr system?

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by simon1966 on Sunday, September 16, 2012 10:13 AM

I have an AR1 running with a Zephyr and have no problems at all.   You just have to adjust the trip current correctly.

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

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Posted by yankee flyer on Sunday, September 16, 2012 10:04 AM

Hi

OP, if you get the AR1 Let us know if you are able to get it to work with the Zephyr.

Good luck.

Lee

  • Member since
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Posted by richhotrain on Saturday, September 15, 2012 6:12 PM

Phoebe Vet

Not trying to change your mind, but Digitrax makes an autoreverser, too.

Well, I am trying to change your mind.

Get a Digitrax AR-1 instead of the MRC.

Rich

Alton Junction

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Posted by jrbernier on Saturday, September 15, 2012 1:49 PM

  As long as the sensitivity of the reverse unit allows it to 'trip' before your Zephyr does and shuts down the layout because it 'senses' a short, you should be fine.  BTW, the Digitrax reverse unit has an 'adjustment' pot to adjust the sensitivity.  Here is some other items to consider:

  • Use two reverse units - one for each reverse loop.  It is possible to do it with just one, but if there is a train entering or exiting each reverse section at the same time, you can have a conflict.
  • The length of the track in the reverse loop should be longer than your longest train.

Good Luck!

Jim

Modeling BNSF  and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin

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Posted by Phoebe Vet on Saturday, September 15, 2012 12:09 PM

Not trying to change your mind, but Digitrax makes an autoreverser, too.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

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Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, September 15, 2012 8:45 AM

It should work fine. Our club uses two of these reverser's with a NCE DCC system.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

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" A DCC Question"
Posted by TrainsRMe1 on Saturday, September 15, 2012 12:15 AM

Hello All,

     I hope all is well with my MRRDER Family, I have a question for you, I have decided to have two reversal loops instead on building a liftout section in front of my entry way, I saw that MRC has a reversal loop decoder that looks easy to hook up to a reversal loop and prefroms great!!!, since I have a Digitraxx Zephyr as my power on my 18 X 19 Nscale layout, would this MRC reversal loop decoder work with my system?????? I hope so, Thanks for the help!!!Big Smile

                                                   Happy Modelrailroading,

                                                                               Trainsrme1Cool 

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