I use Z21 DCC system which can store 9,999 locos. I use my iPhone as a throttle and also as a CV programmer. No need to remember addresses, or even names, since you have a picture list of your locos. CV codes are linked to visual buttons, so no need to remember CV values either. Turnouts are also controlled by iPhone/iPad in a visual layout.
A vehicle fleet can be exported to new iPhone/iPads/Androids for multi-user operations. There is also a traditional throttle, but I do not see a need for that.
The cheapest and easiest setup you can do to accomplish your goal is with Roco/Fleischmann MultiMaus + Booster setup.
Here's what it looks like.
This is just a random image from the web, but if you search (eBay and such), there used to be plenty of offerings for bundles like this one - used ones for under $100.
Not sure what's available now, you will need to do some research and looking around, but I have two sets like this here myself that I use when I just need to test things out quickly.
YouTube Channel
Website
Water Level Route My take on reading the OP's post was that he wants a system that will recognize an engine when he places it on the tracks and automatically bring that locomotive up on the throttle. I don't know of any that would do that, especially since most users leave mutltiple locos on the tracks.
My take on reading the OP's post was that he wants a system that will recognize an engine when he places it on the tracks and automatically bring that locomotive up on the throttle. I don't know of any that would do that, especially since most users leave mutltiple locos on the tracks.
Reportedly ESU's relatively new system has some capability like that.
Rio Grande. The Action Road - Focus 1977-1983
Hello All,
I use the dead-end Bachmann Dynamis DCC system.
This has been maxed out of its capabilities by adding the 5 amp booster along with the ProBox that allows for up to 5 infrared antenna and 2 additional controllers- -for a total of 3 IR controllers.
It has a 40 roster database (slots).
That number includes Simple, Basic and Advanced consists.
As long as the decoders support- -Basic, and Advanced consisting. See individual decoder manufacturers for consisting options.
For Simple consisting, only one of the database slots is used, no matter how many locomotives are assigned the same address.
Basic and Advanced consisting requires each locomotive to use a database slot and the consist uses a database slot.
If the Basic or Advanced consist contains 5 locomotives it will use 6 database slots. One database for each individual loco and one database slot for the consist. If there are only 3 locos in the MU then 4 slots are used.
My current roster only uses about 25 database slots, including Basic and Advanced consists.
I can remove any and all locomotives. Pack them up for storage and bring them out at a later date and run them without refreshing the system.
If I exceed the 40 database slots I would need to delete one slot to add another.
Other DCC manufacturers have much greater storage capacity.
Check with individual manufacturers to understand the limitations of their particular systems.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
I've got about 20 locomotives. Only a few are on the mains or yards. The rest are in the roundhouse or hidden staging. Some I run frequently, and others less so.
So, I have a handful of seldom-used engines that I can't see. I'm probably better at it than most, but I don't remember every 4-digit cab number, or who is in which consist. That's the reason I like a big stack. Keying in an engine number is easy, but only if you remember the number.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
My take on reading the OP's post was that he wants a system that will recognize an engine when he places it on the tracks and automatically bring that locomotive up on the throttle. I don't know of any that would do that, especially since most users leave mutltiple locos on the tracks. Powering up would be problematic. Sounds like a good application for good 'ol DC.
Mike
Especially since in Reading's number, road locos were just 3 digit numbers, and most switchers were 2 digits. So I've got less to key in, unless I'm running one of the T1 steam locos, 2100 series.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker My take on it is - why? What is the advantage? If the system stores 40 lcoso, great. With any DCC system there are no more than 6 button presses to select ANY loco - assume all you locos have full 4 digit addresses. A loco number 450, for example, is 5 button presses to select. If the system stores 40 locos, and the one youw ant is in the middle of the list, it's select, then scrill through 20 entries to get the one you want, then enter. I will guarantee you, unless your loco is in the first 4 or 5 in the list, I can key in any loco number before you scroll through a 40 loco list to find the one you want. --Randy
My take on it is - why? What is the advantage? If the system stores 40 lcoso, great. With any DCC system there are no more than 6 button presses to select ANY loco - assume all you locos have full 4 digit addresses. A loco number 450, for example, is 5 button presses to select.
If the system stores 40 locos, and the one youw ant is in the middle of the list, it's select, then scrill through 20 entries to get the one you want, then enter. I will guarantee you, unless your loco is in the first 4 or 5 in the list, I can key in any loco number before you scroll through a 40 loco list to find the one you want.
Rich
Alton Junction
And you should probably remember to purge most of those stored addresses regularly, say once a month if you rotate several locos on and off the table over a few weeks.
I'm with Randy on this, I will use the scroll-back list on the display if I want to switch back to a locomotive used just a couple of hours earlier, say two/three locos back. But eventually it's just quicker to 'select', press the cab # for the loco, and hit 'enter' or 'function' on the DT-400.
Engi1487I plan to try out other DCC sysrems like the new Digitrax throttle that looks like a female torso, but I am interested in a system that allows you to store multipule, and alot of locomotive addresses on it, so when you turn on the system and place a locomotive on it, it matches the address saved on the system and away you go.
I'm not too clear about the "address saved on the system" part. I've been using Digitrax for fifteen years or so. I know the "recall stack" is in the throttle but, honestly, I've never used it.
I think Digitrax recall stack is ten-to-twelve addresses. Fewer on the Zephyr.
When I fire up the layout all the throttles remember the last locomotives assigned to that throttle. Therefore if I have two trains on the main, both engines, or consists, are already in the throttle and "ready to go".
For me it is just easier to hit the loco (select) button, punch in the new address and press loco (select) again and I'm done. Six presses, max.
With Digitrax you have to remember to clear an address when you are done using that address on that throttle. If you don't you may have conflicting commands being sent from two different throttles.
It really becomes second nature after a while. If you truly want to assign an address with one tap of the finger I can use an Android tablet, Engine Driver and JMRI as a throttle. Then every locomotive is displayed (from your JMRI roster) on the tablet and you can select a new address with the tap of a finger or wand-thingy. Dispatching the address is a simple tap or two as well.
Sometimes I use the tablet but usually only when demonstrating the JMRI wireless throttle "app"
Good Luck, Ed
I have a Lenz system. It remembers up to 32 locomotives. Since I don't have that many engines, it's more than enough for me. I can scroll through the numbers to select one, or key in a cab number.
But, since I can easily enter any loco number directly, about the only advantage I get is saving whether a particular function button is latched or momentary.
Yea, if the red LED on the front of the PCP panel wasn't lighting up when you connected the flat cable to the left connector port, there's an issue with the Power Cab. Glad you confirmed that with Ed @ NCE.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I don't have any insight into your Powercab issues other that it is possible to reset the PC.
To access the cab set up mode:1) Turn on the system power.2) Unplug your cab from the Power Panel.3) Press and hold down the SELECT LOCO button while plugging in the cab. Thecab will now enter its internal setup program. At any time you may press PROG/ESC to leave set up mode.4) Press ENTER to accept the current cab address (unless you want to change it).To change the cab address, type in a new address such as 3 followed by theENTER key. If you make a mistake just unplug the cab and re-plug it while holdingdown the SELECT LOCO key.NOTE: If you program the address to zero the cab will reprogram itself to theoriginal factory values, including the cab address, which will be set to 2.
I think the default is for the PC to remember 2 loco addresses. You can adjust that from 1 - 6. I have a very small switching layout and if I'm just running two locos, I don't want to scroll through 4 other locos. Your desires may be different.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
tstage Engi1487 My NCE powercab starterset is having problems with the actual powercab controller is having issues, as I cant get to the main loco address screen with the clock and FWD (forward) speed. I plan to send it to NCE for repair and this had me thinking. Before you send your Power Cab back to NCE, I have a couple questions for you: Did you set up your Power Cab according to the NCE user manual? Do you have your Power Cab plugged into the LEFT connector port of the PCP panel using the flat cable? Tom
Engi1487 My NCE powercab starterset is having problems with the actual powercab controller is having issues, as I cant get to the main loco address screen with the clock and FWD (forward) speed. I plan to send it to NCE for repair and this had me thinking.
Before you send your Power Cab back to NCE, I have a couple questions for you:
We (he did) concluded there where issues with the powercab controller itself. he suggestd I sent it to NcE for repair. I should mention the red LED light on the Power pack motherboard part, did not light up red, which would have shown the trackers where active, as I was testing the loco on the kato feeder wire piece with a straight section feeder track piece I was using.
Engi1487My NCE powercab starterset is having problems with the actual powercab controller is having issues, as I cant get to the main loco address screen with the clock and FWD (forward) speed. I plan to send it to NCE for repair and this had me thinking.
Hello everyone, Merry Christmas,
I do not have space at the moment to put my single Loop of Kato HM1 HO scale unitrack (with 26" curves), so when I can I place it on the floor to run trains, or just the feeder track with a straight section piece to test out a locomotive when need be.My NCE powercab starterset is having problems with the actual powercab controller is having issues, as I cant get to the main loco address screen with the clock and FWD (forward) speed. I plan to send it to NCE for repair and this had me thinking.I plan to try out other DCC sysrems like the new Digitrax throttle that looks like a female torso, but I am interested in a system that allows you to store multipule, and alot of locomotive addresses on it, so when you turn on the system and place a locomotive on it, it matches the address saved on the system and away you go.
Bacically, I want to store locomotive addresses in the system, setup my track loop, run my trains, once playtime is done I pack up the track, the locomotives and the system away in their repsectvive boxes. When I wish to run trains again, the addresses will be there in the system.I enjoy watching the model trains youtube channel called "Preformance Locomotives Inc," and Matt the youtube channel owner uses a ESU Command Station, that I remember him saying it stores up to 40 locomotive addresses.Is this true? Dont worry I intend to get a perment space to place my track once my NcE powercab gets fixed. And Merry Christmas to you all.