Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Brand new Digitrax system and it's defective!

17732 views
67 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:03 AM

mfm37
Make me suspect the title of this thread.

Nothing misleading about the title. He bought a Digitrax system and it didn't work.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:49 AM

 Actually NCE DID used to have the capability to run an analog loco. You had to build your own throttle and it connected to the serial port on the front of the command station. That feature was taken out several firmware revisions ago.

 I test run DC locos using address 00 onmy Digitrax equipment - haven't damaged anything yet but I also just run it back and forth a few times on my test track to make sure it works. NEVER leave an analog loco sit on the DCC track without having it moving.

                                        --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    July 2003
  • From: Metro East St. Louis
  • 5,743 posts
Posted by simon1966 on Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:54 AM

Too bad about the fried loco. 

I did not ask before, but assuming you did some research into your initial selection of DCC system, what were the features that led you to choose Digitrax in the first place?

The ability to run a DC loco on Digitrax is one such feature that NCE does not offer.  I can't say it was a critical feature for me when I chose Digitrax, but it has been a feature that I do use periodically and found to be quite useful.

Bottom line is that both Digitrax and NCE make superb systems, but they are not identical.  There may well be other features that were important in your initial selection that will not be fulfilled by the NCE system? 

Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Saturday, February 27, 2010 10:19 AM

rrinker

 I test run DC locos using address 00 on my Digitrax equipment - haven't damaged anything yet.

NEVER leave an analog loco sit on the DCC track without having it moving.

                                        --Randy

 

Ditto!!!!!!!

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    January 2010
  • From: Denver, CO
  • 3,576 posts
Posted by Motley on Saturday, February 27, 2010 7:47 PM

The cross-overs work!!! omg I'm happy again (after frying my loco). I have the cross-over turnouts connected to one port on the DS64s now!!

Man these PECO switch machines are quiet, I thought they would be louder. I have the PL10W for digital and they are smooth as butter.

Now I'm off to figure out how to re-program the switch IDs...

Michael


CEO-
Mile-HI-Railroad
Prototype: D&RGW Moffat Line 1989

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: From Golden, CO living in Puyallup (Seattle), WA
  • 751 posts
Posted by Renegade1c on Monday, March 1, 2010 3:19 PM

I have a digitrax system with a Locobuffer USB. I have my DS-64's powered up using the Aux inputs. I have a 14 gauge 12-volt bus around the layout  that I use to power lights as well as the DS-64's.

 

The 12-volt bus is powered by a very old (1994) computer power supply. If you do decide to use a computer power supply remember that the power supply requires a load in order to work properly. a 10 ohm 10-20 watt resistor on the 5 volt line will do just fine (The resistor will get warm!). I currently have 6 DS-64's and 12 tortoises (not attached to the DS-64's)  powered off of this bus wire with no problems what-so-ever.

 


Colorado Front Range Railroad: 
http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/

flag

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!