If you can find a local Digitrax dealer, ask for their free color catalog or go on line. All those crazy numbers will have a picture and a full explanation below it as to what it does and how it does it.
The simplest extra throttle is a fully manual, plug in UT4 and can be found at train shows, street priced, for $40-$50 each. I have resisted buying one as I typically run only a single engine at a time, maybe two. The Zephyr Extra can handle that easy. I am not big on multiuser operating sessions.
Richard
If I can't fix it, I can fix it so it can't be fixed
rrinker UT4 and DT402 are the Digitrax throttles. Either will connect to you Zephyr Xtra. The UP5 is the plug panel for said throttles. You put those in accessible locations around the layout, and run cables between each and the Zephyr Xtra. The throttles are walkaround, so you cna start the train plugged in in one location, and then move to another and the train keeps going You can connect up to 20 throttles to the Zephyr Xtra. The 3 amp capacity should eb able to run about 10 locos or more in HO, so adding more may not be necessary. I started withthe original Zephyr, it can handle up to 10 throttles. It has a slightly lower amp capacity. 2.5 amps, but I've run as many as 8 HO locos, half with sound, all at the same time on it. Thus my thinking that the Zephyr Xtra should eb able to run at least 10 locos. If you see yourself runnign that many or less, you probably dont need to buy any more than the throttles and plug panels. I still run my now room-size layout with the old Zephyr. The wireless stuff is just a little different. There are two kinds of wireless from Digitrax, the simplex version requires you to plug the throttle in to select a loco, then you unplug and control it with no wires plugged in. The duplex version does nt require you to plug in at all. Simplex radio requires at least one UR91 radio receiver, which gets plugged in to the Zephyr. You use it with the UT4R and DT402R throttles. Duplex radio requires one or more UR92 radio transceiver, and works with the UT4D and DT402D throttles. You cna run both at the same time, but throttles with the R only talk to the UR91, and throttles with the D only talk to the UR92. They use difference frequencies. Can;t make it much simpler. There's a block diagram of adding extra stuff to the system shown on the back of the manual that came with the Zephyr Xtra. Other than that, it really is as simple as obtaining the desired plug panel or radio unit, and connecting them all together and to the Zephyr Xtra with simple plug in cables, similar but not identical to telephone cords. --Randy Thanks Randy, your explanation really simplifies things for me now, I now can understand what everyone was trying to tell me. Thanks again, and to everyone who responded
UT4 and DT402 are the Digitrax throttles. Either will connect to you Zephyr Xtra. The UP5 is the plug panel for said throttles. You put those in accessible locations around the layout, and run cables between each and the Zephyr Xtra. The throttles are walkaround, so you cna start the train plugged in in one location, and then move to another and the train keeps going
You can connect up to 20 throttles to the Zephyr Xtra. The 3 amp capacity should eb able to run about 10 locos or more in HO, so adding more may not be necessary.
I started withthe original Zephyr, it can handle up to 10 throttles. It has a slightly lower amp capacity. 2.5 amps, but I've run as many as 8 HO locos, half with sound, all at the same time on it. Thus my thinking that the Zephyr Xtra should eb able to run at least 10 locos. If you see yourself runnign that many or less, you probably dont need to buy any more than the throttles and plug panels. I still run my now room-size layout with the old Zephyr.
The wireless stuff is just a little different. There are two kinds of wireless from Digitrax, the simplex version requires you to plug the throttle in to select a loco, then you unplug and control it with no wires plugged in. The duplex version does nt require you to plug in at all. Simplex radio requires at least one UR91 radio receiver, which gets plugged in to the Zephyr. You use it with the UT4R and DT402R throttles. Duplex radio requires one or more UR92 radio transceiver, and works with the UT4D and DT402D throttles. You cna run both at the same time, but throttles with the R only talk to the UR91, and throttles with the D only talk to the UR92. They use difference frequencies.
Can;t make it much simpler. There's a block diagram of adding extra stuff to the system shown on the back of the manual that came with the Zephyr Xtra. Other than that, it really is as simple as obtaining the desired plug panel or radio unit, and connecting them all together and to the Zephyr Xtra with simple plug in cables, similar but not identical to telephone cords.
--Randy
Thanks Randy, your explanation really simplifies things for me now, I now can understand what everyone was trying to tell me. Thanks again, and to everyone who responded
rrinker UT4 and DT402 are the Digitrax throttles. Either will connect to you Zephyr Xtra. The UP5 is the plug panel for said throttles. You put those in accessible locations around the layout, and run cables between each and the Zephyr Xtra. The throttles are walkaround, so you cna start the train plugged in in one location, and then move to another and the train keeps going You can connect up to 20 throttles to the Zephyr Xtra. The 3 amp capacity should eb able to run about 10 locos or more in HO, so adding more may not be necessary. I started withthe original Zephyr, it can handle up to 10 throttles. It has a slightly lower amp capacity. 2.5 amps, but I've run as many as 8 HO locos, half with sound, all at the same time on it. Thus my thinking that the Zephyr Xtra should eb able to run at least 10 locos. If you see yourself runnign that many or less, you probably dont need to buy any more than the throttles and plug panels. I still run my now room-size layout with the old Zephyr. The wireless stuff is just a little different. There are two kinds of wireless from Digitrax, the simplex version requires you to plug the throttle in to select a loco, then you unplug and control it with no wires plugged in. The duplex version does nt require you to plug in at all. Simplex radio requires at least one UR91 radio receiver, which gets plugged in to the Zephyr. You use it with the UT4R and DT402R throttles. Duplex radio requires one or more UR92 radio transceiver, and works with the UT4D and DT402D throttles. You cna run both at the same time, but throttles with the R only talk to the UR91, and throttles with the D only talk to the UR92. They use difference frequencies. Can;t make it much simpler. There's a block diagram of adding extra stuff to the system shown on the back of the manual that came with the Zephyr Xtra. Other than that, it really is as simple as obtaining the desired plug panel or radio unit, and connecting them all together and to the Zephyr Xtra with simple plug in cables, similar but not identical to telephone cords. --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 would highly suggest you talk to an experienced DCC seller/installer like the two I mentioned. The UP5 is a faceplate that has two LocoNet ports on the face for walk-around throttles to plug into. The cable between the Zephyr Xtra and the face plate(UP5) is known as a LocoNet cable. It looks just like a telephone modular cable, but the ends are reversed. A plain modular phone cable will work for a basic throttle bus, but sooner or later you will get into trouble if you expand and add boosters. As I mentioned above(and again) - I would talk to someone who is experienced with Digitrax system installs.
My layout has 3 of the UP5 face plates and a Radio Receiver for wireless throttles. When I installed the system, there was NO wireless available, so I installed UP5 face plates based on the 'reach' of the coiled cord of a throttles. Wireless in nice, but not really needed. And you will save some money by not installing wireless throttles to start with. You can always 'upgrade' the existing throttles to wireless in the future!
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernier No Problem! The Zephyr Xtra has two LocoNet ports - Just run the LocoNet cables to UP5 fascia plates and plug in your Digitrax throttles. The UP5 fascia plates each have two LocoNet ports for you to plug in the 'walk-around' throttles. If you want to go 'wireless', you will need UR92 fascia plates for the wireless throttles(DT402D) to talk to. Check with Tony's Trains or Litchfield Station(on-line) for good prices and they can even make up the LocoNet cable for you. Either one can also give you good advice about setting up the system. The Zephyr Xtra has a 3 amp capacity and will control up to 22 locomotives concurrently. Jim
No Problem! The Zephyr Xtra has two LocoNet ports - Just run the LocoNet cables to UP5 fascia plates and plug in your Digitrax throttles. The UP5 fascia plates each have two LocoNet ports for you to plug in the 'walk-around' throttles. If you want to go 'wireless', you will need UR92 fascia plates for the wireless throttles(DT402D) to talk to. Check with Tony's Trains or Litchfield Station(on-line) for good prices and they can even make up the LocoNet cable for you. Either one can also give you good advice about setting up the system.
The Zephyr Xtra has a 3 amp capacity and will control up to 22 locomotives concurrently.
Easy as pie.
The Zephyr Xtra can handle up to 10 locos and 10 throttles at any given time. Expanding is simple; run an RJ12 cable (make them for cheap or buy for not much more) to your universal panel (plug-in thingy, like a UP5), plug in your throttle and go! I believe you can daisy-chain as many panels together as you like, but signal strength degrades if your cable gets too long.
Have fun, man. This stuff is the easy bits!
Stu
Streamlined steam, oh, what a dream!!
About two years ago I purchased the Digitrax Zephyr Xtra system, I was getting back into the hobby after being out of it for 20 years. I understood DC but not DCC, so I started with a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra, I am now in the process of expanding my layout and would like to have some walk around throttles since a portion of my layout will not be visible from where my Zephyr Xtra is set up, no matter where I move it some portion of the layout will be out of sight. Can I expand this system to handle walk around throttles and with the larger layout will I need to expand on the amp output. What do I need and how do I go about this? This is HO scale and I hope to be able to handle at least 6 loco at a time. Thanks for any info you can give me.