Electronics and DCC

I'd like to know why people choose Digitrax PM42s over PSX cirucuit breakers/ARs or vice versa. PSXs have screw on connectors as opposed to the card/soldered style hook ups on the PM42s for easier installs/removals for repair. The PSXs are reputed for better handling of inrush currents on start up of the layout, Randy R. (I think) wrote that the newer PSXs shut down only one rail (if I remember correctly) as opposed to the older versions (Tony's Trains). PM42s require a separate power supply, have 4 ganged breakers or ARs. How many of you prefer single/individual breakers and ARs for repair/replacement down time without affecting the entire layout. Do either of these re-establish rail current immediately after removing an offending (derailed/point pickin' loco or rolling stock). I need to decide what I'm buying in the next week or so. Advice, experiences? My layout: 11X17 3 power districts (main yard, industrial yard, main line). One AR for turning WYE. R.H. Walthers Modern Built up so AR is included. (Please no tail-light bulb posts. I've already decided to go solid state.) Would NCE's breaker systems be compatible with the Super Chief/DT 400? FINALLY, is it going to be easier to get trouble shooting/tech help later from Digitrax if I"m not using a 2nd party breaker/AR? Thanks for your assistance!!!

I use the PSX

Capt. Grimek:

PSXs have screw on connectors

this makes the psx very simple to hook up.

Capt. Grimek:

The PSXs are reputed for better handling of inrush currents on start up

I've found one psx able to handle starting about 14 HO lokes equipped with either Tsunami or QSI. For those considering DCC or have a system, a breaker is an absolute necessity for protecting our decoders. It is cheap insurance.

Capt. Grimek:

Do either of these re-establish rail current immediately after removing an offending (derailed/point pickin' loco or rolling stock)

Yes, the psx will automatically reset within seconds as soon as the short is removed

Capt. Grimek:

FINALLY, is it going to be easier to get trouble shooting/tech help later from Digitrax

: I've been buying from Tony's since 1994. The people, product and support services are what make Tony's the best in DCC [I'm not a paid endorser of TTX ].

I put in a PM 42 on my clubs superchief system a few weeks ago and it works good letting the rest of the layout continue to operate when a short on one track developes. We have four power districts. The decision to go with the PM 42 was because we didn't want to mix manufacturers. The installation went well and did not take all that much time. I don't know about price differences. The PM 42 will give you three PD's and one auto reverse unit or four PD's. It doesn't matter if you shut down one or both rails as long as the short is detected and the unit trips to shut off the offending area. Also the current levele and trip speed are adjustable. The unit resets imediatly after the short is removed. Tech assistance is another reason to stay with the same manufacturer. 

Thanks guys. Wow, I sympathize with your wading through those non-indented paragraphs! Curses, "Safari". Anyway, I'm leaning very heavily towards 3 independent/stand alone PSXs and one of their AR units. The feedback I've been getting from our club's Digitrax system owners has over whemingly leaned towards PSXs. Thanks for the Tony's recommendation. One of our club members told me that a good Seattle buddy of his has gotten great tech help from them using Digitrax and PSXs. My computer isn't letting me look back at your posts while I type via "quick reply" so my apologies. As always, I greatly appreciate your feedback. Capt. G.

Capt. Grimek:

Thanks guys. Wow, I sympathize with your wading through those non-indented paragraphs! Curses, "Safari". Anyway, I'm leaning very heavily towards 3 independent/stand alone PSXs and one of their AR units. The feedback I've been getting from our club's Digitrax system owners has over whemingly leaned towards PSXs. Thanks for the Tony's recommendation. One of our club members told me that a good Seattle buddy of his has gotten great tech help from them using Digitrax and PSXs. My computer isn't letting me look back at your posts while I type via "quick reply" so my apologies. As always, I greatly appreciate your feedback. Capt. G.

I am a Digitrax Super Chief user with 3 boosters and 10 power districts all protected by the PS/PSX (and an AR) series breakers.  The PM42s are nice and I have no real objections to them but the PSXs have been solid performers and are fully solid state.  I've had them in use just over 3 years without a single issue. 

 

Capt. Grimek:

I'd like to know why people choose Digitrax PM42s over PSX cirucuit breakers/ARs or vice versa.  EDIT  Thanks for your assistance!!!

Choose the PSX over the PM42.  I have one of the earlier PS-Rev from Tony's and it is an excellent product.  As others have and will state, its primary advantage is that it is a solid state component - no relays to wear out.  It is also has features that the PM42 does not have.  Mixing components from different manufacturers shouldn't be problem nor cause a lack of support from your system manufacturer.

Capt. Grimek:

...Wow, I sympathize with your wading through those non-indented paragraphs! Curses, "Safari"...

I have the same problem with Opera.

Try placing "<P>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;" where you want to start a paragraph.

     I put it before this line and this is the result. The "<P>" ends the previous paragraph(but sometimes, at least for me, it just starts a new line and sometimes it leaves a blank line) and each "&nbsp;" is a blank space.

 PM42's one advantage if you haev a Digitrax system is that it can connect to Loconet and send status messages or, if you use signalling, can set signals to red in blocks shut down due to a short. You can also send comamnds to the PM42 to turn on and off individual sections - an electronic 'power switch' for each district.

 The PSX can do the first, if you attach it to a loconet feedback device such as a DS64.

 I've had experience with the PM42 and the AR1, and both work quite well, the idea of "it's mechanical, it's slower" is pure bunk, they work equally well. Sure, some day it may wear out, but theoretically not in my lifetime if the MTBF specified by the relay manufacturer is truthful. As for the sound decoder inrush issue - I will say it again - this is a DECODER problem and havign to get specialized devices to handle them is pure BS. The REAL fix is to get the manufacturers of these thigns to BUILD THEM RIGHT IN THE FIRST PLACE. It's DEFINITELY possible - Digitrax sound decoders do not have an inrush problem, nor do they need special program track boosters to program. The majority of sales of the offending sound decoders is, I suspect, still to DC users since they are dual mode and work on both, and a DC user is not goign to experience the same problem. Tellign me I have to buy special circuit breakers sold ONLY by one dealer AND a special program track gizmo ALSO sold by that oen dealer (or in the case of the other product - by the maker of one of the offending decoders!) is NOT an acceptable solution.

                                 --Randy

 

Thanks everyone. I selected PSX 1s as individual circuit breakers and the AR FB for my wye. I figured for four more bucks, the contacts for future signaling, block detection was a good idea. (?) I should need only one AR for the wye I presume? A good friend reported that they had PSXs and Digitrax Super Chief and Tony's provided great tech/troubleshooting help so that settled it.