I have a Digitrax system that I have been working with for a while. It seems to me that it would be helpful if I had a degree in electrical engineering and computer technology? I am having problems programing locomotives, creating power districts, and operating a turntable. I am wondering if there is a more user friendly system for those of us who are not electronically gifted.
Craig North Carolina
I would suggest trying one thing at a time. Pick something and post it here and we'll walk you through it. When you learn it, repeat several times so you can comit it to memory.
As noted earlier though which system and controller are you using?
Springfield PA
Digitrax hard to operate? I have a Zephyr and I find it easier to use than my old Bachmann system.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Creation of power districts is nothing to do with the DCC command station you are using. The basic concept of breaking up a layout into power districts and then providing power is fundamentally the same regardless of the DCC system you are using. In fact the devices you use to create power districts don't even have to be Digitrax, even if you are using a Digitrax DCC system.
Likewise turntable control. What control system are you using to run your turntable? Perhaps you are struggling with auto reversing? which has more to do with the wiring design of the turntable, and nothing to do with the DCC system.
So these two issues will not be impacted at all by changing DCC system. As for locomotive programming, what issues are you having? Brand of decoders etc?
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
Oh no. Not again.
Yet another post on the "best" DCC system.
The answer is NCE.
Rich
Alton Junction
davidmbedard jeffrey-wimberly: Digitrax hard to operate? I have a Zephyr and I find it easier to use than my old Bachmann system. JW, you must be a Genius. David B
jeffrey-wimberly: Digitrax hard to operate? I have a Zephyr and I find it easier to use than my old Bachmann system.
JW, you must be a Genius.
David B
richhotrain Oh no. Not again. Yet another post on the "best" DCC system. The answer is NCE. Rich
Yes NCE is not bad, I have a NCE Power Cab since January 2008 and find it OK. I also own a Digitrax Zephyr since 2001 and this is the system powering my modules under construction.
I also use a Digitrax 8 amps. Super Chief Radio at the club since 1999 and enjoy it very much. This is not all, I also use a NCE PH Pro 10 amps tethered since 1999 and find it delivers as expected. So after 13 years using DCC I have yet to know which is the best system.
Jack W.
richhotrain The answer is NCE.
I wonder just how much simpler it is to program oh let's see...
How about all 28 speed steps. Just trying to see how much simpler that would be for me if I ran out and purchased an NCE rig. One CV at a time, no cheating with JMRI allowed.
Martin Myers
Hi!
While you re-opened a question that has been around the horn here many, many times, it has never - and IMHO will never - be resolved. There are obviously some systems better than others, and Digitrax is one of those.
I really was shy about jumping into DCC after 50 plus years of DC operation. I ended up with Digitrax, although it was a toss-up against NCE (I think it was Digitrax's pretty grey cases that swayed me).
Setting up a programming track is very easy, and programming the basics into locos is really not hard at all. But, it is not something many of us can do every couple of weeks are remember exactly how to do it.
The thing is, with DCC one has to learn to walk before they can run. Believe me, I know. And yes, the Digitrax manual is somewhat complicated and filled with stuff. What I ended up doing is translating various programming tasks into easy (for me) language that I readily understand. Stuff like putting in 2 or 4 digit I.D. numbers, setting up consists, adjusting sound levels, and so on each has their own step by step instructions without all the "extra words". That may sound silly to some, but it does work for me.
I also recommend picking up a couple of the Kalmbach DCC books - and reading them, over and over. And, start your set up at the bottom, and when you do have a problem, ask the Forum.
Oh, I didn't address your turntable issue as I have not messed with that (or reverse loops), but I understand there is a "reverser" that automatically eradicates the electrical problem with those two configurations.
ENJOY !!!!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
mfm37 richhotrain: The answer is NCE. I wonder just how much simpler it is to program oh let's see... How about all 28 speed steps. Just trying to see how much simpler that would be for me if I ran out and purchased an NCE rig. One CV at a time, no cheating with JMRI allowed. Martin Myers
richhotrain: The answer is NCE.
I be appreciative if you could explain exactly what you mean by this. Are you saying that JMRI cannot interface with NCE?
Thanks
I dont have DCC but have run several DCC layouts and i think Digitrax To Me is the best.
Russell
I have found that there are some extremely knowledgeable and helpful people at this site. Most if not all are willing to assist with any question posed. I cannot help you because I am a strict DC only guy. However, I have been in model railroading since...well..a lot longer than I care to mention, and the one thing I have found in all my years being in this hobby and the others I engage in is never overlook the gift of the printed word. I have countless books in my library explaining every aspect of model railroading; some of theses books and magazines date back decades. Some are more relevent than others but all of them provide me with some sort of guide to help me through this diverse hobby.
Take a trip down to your local hobby shop and persuse the book shelf. My local hobby shop operator doesn't care how long I look at the books and magazines on his shelf because he knows at some point I am going to purchase something keeping him in business. And just about every hobby shop owner is willing to provide any assistance in choosing a DCC system because he sells them and he knows from feedback from his customers, which ones are the ones to get. Make friends with those guys and they will always be there to help you. That is my two cents.
-Paul
Instead of just saying (insert brand) is best, or saying what you don't like about (insert system) .... why not state the positive aspects of the system you do like ?
The original poster or anyone else for that matter isn't going to get much of anything out of a thread that bashes the "other guys" and gives no positive input as to why they prefer the system they do. A person is more apt to make a better decision on a product based on the positive aspects as well.
To be perfectly honest, basing your decision on what DCC system to purchase based on a bunch of online comments really isn't the best approach. You need to experience them first hand. How does the controller feel in your hand - do you like the button layout on the throttle - etc. Also, what system do the majority of the modellers in your area use ? - this could be a big help if you ever have problems. If everyone in your area is using ABC and you buy XYZ, might be kind of tough to get someone to stop by and help with any problems.
It all comes down to brand loyalty - no different than the car manufacturers. They all do the same thing - they just have different buttons and different looks.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Nope. NCE interfaces quite nicely with NCE.
The OP expressed his frustration with programming.
My point is that when it comes to bare bones CV programming other then simple addressing, no system will be much easier than another without the help of additional computer software like JMRI/DecoderPro.
Using only the parts that come with any capable system, one will have to enter programming mode, enter the CV number, enter the desired value for the CV, then write it to the decoder. Repeat 27 more times. In the case of a 28 step speed table a change to CV29 would also be required to turn the speed table on. Every system will require these steps. The name on the button or display may be different but it won't change the process. JMRI definitely makes things easier because it will program all 28 CV's at once and even turn on the table in CV29. But that is just as easy on any system that works with JMRI.
maxman mfm37: richhotrain: The answer is NCE. I wonder just how much simpler it is to program oh let's see... How about all 28 speed steps. Just trying to see how much simpler that would be for me if I ran out and purchased an NCE rig. One CV at a time, no cheating with JMRI allowed. Martin Myers I be appreciative if you could explain exactly what you mean by this. Are you saying that JMRI cannot interface with NCE? Thanks
mfm37: richhotrain: The answer is NCE. I wonder just how much simpler it is to program oh let's see... How about all 28 speed steps. Just trying to see how much simpler that would be for me if I ran out and purchased an NCE rig. One CV at a time, no cheating with JMRI allowed. Martin Myers
I think the best DCC system is the one that can do what you need it to do when you purchase it, do what you want it to when you want to expand it, and will result in the least amount of discarded equipment when that upgrade comes.
Comrad_Durandal I think the best DCC system is the one that can do what you need it to do when you purchase it, do what you want it to when you want to expand it, and will result in the least amount of discarded equipment when that upgrade comes.
Comrad, I think you have brilliantly answered this topic once and for all, now and forever! You've said it better than any of us have ever tried before. Bravo.
Moderator, consider this topic asked and answered. Lock it up.
Fastball Moderator, consider this topic asked and answered. Lock it up. -Paul
But the OP programming problems have not been addressed yet.
Nor have we gotten any specifics. All but his programmign issues are going to be identical regardless of whic DCC system, and the programming issue could be with sound decoders, not with figuring out which buttons to push.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Define the universe and give three examples.
It seems to me that one needs to learn a lot about the particular DCC system to be versed in it. I'm still working through the DCC essentials based on what I think I need for the layout at hand. Which is best has a lot of parameters to that answer. High point on my list is relaibilty, service, and support.
Jim - Preserving the history of the NKP Cloverleaf first subdivision.
Well, I think the major manufacturers are all about equal in reliability. In my case I have Digitrax equipment, a Zephyr, a DB150, a PM42, a bunch of UP5 panels, and 3 throttles (on a used DT100 I got in eBay), and none of it has ever needed service. They club runs Digitrax and aside from a power supply (NOT a Digitrax one) that blew at one show, there have not been any equoment failures. There are a bunch of club-owned UT4R and UT4D radio throttles for those that don't have their own, and every time I pick up one of those it just works.
As for support, all the major brnads have so much peer to peer support, mostly via a Yahoo Group dedicated to that system, that the onyl reason you probably need to call the manufacturer is if something truly is broken and you need to send it in for repair. And like most anything electronic, failure usually comes early. Later in life failures are usually things like dropping the throttle and crackign the display or something. I've had my Zephyr for something like 7 years now, so I'm pretty confident it's a solid piece of equipment.
I hope that Craig has not been put off by the direction of the thread because he has some genuine issues which I suspect with more information can be addressed. This is especially important with the power district and turntable as changing DCC system is going to have no impact on these problems and they need to be sorted before making any such decision as the frustration will just continue. So Craig, if you are still following along, provide some more details and let the assembles masses help.
As Simon1966 says, two of your "issues" , those concerning power districts and an operating turntable have nothing to do with the brand of DCC system. If you elaborate on those a bit we can probably help.....
As for programming a locomotive I suspect that has a lot more to do with the brand of the decoder that you are trying to program rather than the command system. What function or feature are you trying to program? Are you using the programming track or trying to program on the main?
I just purchased a Digitrax Zypher and 2 DCC Proto Locos. I had the system up and running in less tha an hour. Changing the addresses of the loco on the programing track was easy. I found the directions user freindly. Only proble I have encounted is the turnouts. One loco has tin wheels and rund trunght the turnouts just fine. The other loco has wider weheels and shorts out on the turnout. As per an article I read, I tried clear nail polish on the frogs and had limited scscess. I am using Atlas code 100 4 and 6 turnouts. Any one have any idea?
I suggest you post your turnouts problems on a separate thread, it will have more exposure than if you leave it buried inside this thread. I don't use Atlas turnouts so I can't help.
David B,
I have the Empire Builder Digitrax system. It is about 5 years old. I only recently (past 2 plus years) started to use it. I am having a lot of trouble programming locomotives even with such simple things as just changing the locomotive 4 digit address. I have tried 2 methods. One, was to take all of the other locomotives off of the layout and try to program it. The other, was to make a separate programming track that is isolated from the rest of the layout. I would get the locomotives to "say" that they have accepted the new programs only to not be successful. This stuff is getting "old". I have not tried to do this again for the past 8 months basically because of frustration and the fact that two of my business partners have become ill and I am working A LOT extra. Also, with the extra pressure of work, I do not need more grief from Digitrax. Suggestions, please. This, for me is NOT beating the same old "dead horse".
Aikidomaster I would get the locomotives to "say" that they have accepted the new programs only to not be successful.
Literally "say"? As in, you're programming sound locos that have verbal response? And you haven't turned that verbal response off?
That's probably why it's not "taking". The decoder is still in the process of "saying" it's response to the last command while you command station is trying to send the next command.
Turn off the verbal response. You'll have much better luck.
By the way, I do have a 2nd booster, 2 PM42's (with PS12 power supply) and 5 UP5's.
Aikidomaster David B, I have the Empire Builder Digitrax system. It is about 5 years old. I only recently (past 2 plus years) started to use it. I am having a lot of trouble programming locomotives even with such simple things as just changing the locomotive 4 digit address. I have tried 2 methods. One, was to take all of the other locomotives off of the layout and try to program it. The other, was to make a separate programming track that is isolated from the rest of the layout. I would get the locomotives to "say" that they have accepted the new programs only to not be successful. This stuff is getting "old". I have not tried to do this again for the past 8 months basically because of frustration and the fact that two of my business partners have become ill and I am working A LOT extra. Also, with the extra pressure of work, I do not need more grief from Digitrax. Suggestions, please. This, for me is NOT beating the same old "dead horse".
My advice, for what it's worth, is to get the instructions from the manufacturer of the decoder(s) you are looking to program; then call the folks at DigiTrax. Ask them to lead you through programming a locomotive on a programming track, as you are having a problems with it. I am sure they will be happy to assist you with it. Failing this, I've found it's always helpful to take a breath, read through the instructions - perhaps even having someone else read you the instructions as you perform each step slowly. Often times, I've caught errors this way when programming or putting something together simply because I over-think it.
Take it slow, doing one locomotive program at a time - making sure it works the way you want before you turn to the next one. If it still won't work, and you have access to a decoder tester - use it. If the decoder is bad, seek to get it repaired. I am not being verbose to be insulting, we all get frustrated when things don't work the way we expect them to - and sometimes in our effort to 'get it over with' we speed ahead on something we assume we did one way when in fact we did it another - and that's the root of the problem.
Aikidomaster Suggestions, please. This, for me is NOT beating the same old "dead horse".
Suggestions, please. This, for me is NOT beating the same old "dead horse".
If you had picked any other title to the thread you would not have been greeted with groans and "oh no not again" responses. Anyway. lets move on.......
Ok, next bit of information needed, what decoders are you having a problem programming? This may very well be decoder issue. Some decoders are known to be harder to program, hence the after market for program boosters.
As of right now the problem could be
1. A procedural issue, you are not following the steps correctly to make the changes
2. A setup issue, things are not connected correctly for the program track.
3. A decoder issue, the particular decoders you are trying to program have quirks.
4. A hardware issue, something is genuinely wrong with your DCC system.
So again it is not necessarily a Digitrax problem.