I have a digitrax system I have had for many years. DB150 and dt300 throttle. It all works fine but it would be nicer to not have to plug/unplug as I move around the layout. I would like to know your opinions of the pros and cons of radio and infrared and mostly how long they last on battery life. And is NCE any better or worse on batteries?
I haven't used the infra-red, although the option is there if I need it. I use duplex radio/wireless. Battery life can be extended by turning off (or at least dimming) the LED back-light and trying to avoid too much knob spinning. I have been using the + and - buttons more often for speed control.
The best investment I made was in rechargeable 9V batteries. I use the Powerex 9.6 V rechargeable but the Tenergy brand is good, too.
https://www.amazon.com/Powerex-MHR9V-230mAh-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B0002LAKOS/ref=pd_sim_421_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=2841YSZKPK7HZ1Z4THPY
I keep plenty of charged spares on hand. Usually I get about three hours of running in before needing to swap a battery, depending on how much "knob spinning" and button pushing I do. Only takes a few seconds to swap-out the battery.
Good Luck, Ed
To add a little to Ed's reply:
This has been discussed a lot on the Digitrax Yahoo list. If you go with rechargeable batteries, BE SURE you get the 9.6v rechargeable batteries like the ones Ed has linked to, and NOT the more common 8.4v ones.
The Digitrax DTxxx throttles are pretty sensitive when it comes to their minimum operating voltage, and the 8.4v rechargeables, while perfectly acceptable in other applications, tend to drop out early when used in these throttles.
restoratoris NCE any better or worse on batteries?
gmpullmanUsually I get about three hours of running in before needing to swap a battery, depending on how much "knob spinning" and button pushing I do.
I typically operate my layout 1-2 hours per week (NCE radio system) and will get over a year out of a set of batteries (4 AAA). HOWEVER, using regular batteries compared to rechargables like Ed and I'm sure others, may be comparing apples to oranges. Also, the NCE throttle only lights the LED panel during certain situations/button presses and shuts the light back off automatically. Not sure how Digitrax does it, but I'm sure you know how that would compare.
Mike
Digitrax recently released a wifi system (LNWI) that allows you to use your smartphone as a throttle. I tried it at our club and it works very well. No battery issues and no distance limitations.
Simon