That should get some views! :)
First....I am doing research between NCE Power Cab and Digitrax (Empire or Chief). I know what the NCE will do when I bring a 3rd engine online, but I'm not sure what will happen with a 3rd engine on either of the two Digitrax units. Any help there?
Second...I am making a small layout for my 6 year old son in his room with Life-Like Power-Loc track. I want him to have two trains going. Instead of using the Life-Like transformers....I was wondering what a good inexpensive brand of transformer I could get out there. I see an Athearn on e-bay for $9.99 and a Tech 4 MRC...wondering what would be better than the transformers I have would be, but not at a huge price.
Thanks!
Mike/Nightshade
1. Digitrax will handle more than 3 locos easily, I have run 7 with my zephyr. Make sure you get the digitrax system that can read back CVs, I cant remember which that is right now for some reason...
2. A Tech 4 is a good power pack, in fact most of the MRC power packs are pretty nice. Not so much can be said about thier decoders though.
Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com
JPM335 wrote:1. Digitrax will handle more than 3 locos easily, I have run 7 with my zephyr. Make sure you get the digitrax system that can read back CVs, I cant remember which that is right now for some reason...
-Dan
Builder of Bowser steam! Railimages Site
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
Nightshade wrote:That should get some views! :) First....I am doing research between NCE Power Cab and Digitrax (Empire or Chief). I know what the NCE will do when I bring a 3rd engine online, but I'm not sure what will happen with a 3rd engine on either of the two Digitrax units. Any help there? Thanks! Mike/Nightshade
Mike,
As you already know, the Power Cab can only toggle back and forth between 2 locomotives. If you bring in a third, the locomotive that was last up gets "bumped" from the recall stack and the "new" locomotive comes in at whatever speed the previous locomotive was running at. (One of the downsides to the Power Cab. The recall stack does increase to six with the Powerhouse Pro.)
That shouldn't be the case with either of the Digitrax units. They should be able to toggle through all the locomotives addresses easily.
Tech 4s are nice power packs.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
If you can afford it, I would beging with the Digitrax Chief. You can also pick up old Digitrax DT-100 or DT-300 throttles on Ebay failry cheep $25-$35). Each of the Digitrax throttles (DT-100, DT-300 or DT-400) can control two locomotives/consists at the same time.
If you have a personal computer and buy a Digitrax comuter interface (MS-100 for RS-232 port or LocoBuffer II for USB port) you can download Decoder Pro (free) from JMRI web site. The JMRI software has a throttle program that lets you use your computer as a throttle, and you can open multiple computer throttles. When I am sitting at my work bench I usually open up a few throttles on the computer and run a few trains as the "clic-clack" of the train wheels is very therapeutic.
To convert your Digitrax system to wireles you will neet to purchase on UP-91 (Digitrax Radio) and wireless throttles. DT-100r and DT-300r are out of production but will still work fine, or you can purchase the new DT-400r or the UT-4r. If you have a computer interface skip the DT-400, you don't need it.
JIM
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
All,
Thanks for the info. I was thinking the MRC was the way to go for DC.
Dave, I apologize about the comparison on the Power Cab vs Empire Builder or Chief. What I should have said was that I am looking at NCE vs. Digitrax and left it at that. The Power Cab has just been what I have really been studying, but not having 3 trains in recall is a concern of mine that I just can't let go. Also the fact that NCE has been slow to put out auto reversing or other add-ons as I've heard they're supposed to be doing.
From a novice point of view I am thinking that Digitrax is beginning to be the standard. They seem to be the most prevalent and have many add-ons (smart boosters, auto reversing, quad power managers, etc.). For someone in my region, with absolutely no where to trial a DCC unit, something that is tried and true might be the way to go.....no matter how much I like the NCE units.
This just tells me that I have a way to go before I'm educated enough to make a smart decision.
Nightshade wrote:Digitrax ... They seem to be the most prevalent and have many add-ons
Digitrax ... They seem to be the most prevalent and have many add-ons
-Fritz Milhaupt, Publications Editor, Pere Marquette Historical Society, Inc.http://www.pmhistsoc.org