i want to install a digitrax zephyr on my layout but i have a few questions. first my layout is only on display in my house when i have it out. the rest of the time it lives under my bed. will i have to reprogram my decoders everytime i set it up? second question - my current motive power is non dcc. i have found which decoder i need for my atlas rs 3 (part #7070) but i need to find one for my spectrum gp 30 (part #82849)i would like to have a drop in decoder that i can later add a soundbug to. trying to keep initial cash outlay down. i have decided on the digitrax system because of the ease of expansion later. i know decoders dont have to be the same brand but i would like to keep all digitrax components. but if i need something else for the gp 30 so be it. i want to thank everybody for their help in advance.
tommy2tap i want to install a digitrax zephyr on my layout but i have a few questions. first my layout is only on display in my house when i have it out. the rest of the time it lives under my bed. will i have to reprogram my decoders everytime i set it up?
i want to install a digitrax zephyr on my layout but i have a few questions. first my layout is only on display in my house when i have it out. the rest of the time it lives under my bed. will i have to reprogram my decoders everytime i set it up?
No, the decoders retain their settings.
tommy2tap second question - my current motive power is non dcc. i have found which decoder i need for my atlas rs 3 (part #7070) but i need to find one for my spectrum gp 30 (part #82849)i would like to have a drop in decoder that i can later add a soundbug to.
second question - my current motive power is non dcc. i have found which decoder i need for my atlas rs 3 (part #7070) but i need to find one for my spectrum gp 30 (part #82849)i would like to have a drop in decoder that i can later add a soundbug to.
Need to look that up to see if it is DCC ready or not? OK, did some looking, Not sure about this, but this does not look like a DCC ready loco with a plug. I only did a quick search, but it looks to me as if this will be a hard wire job, so there are many brands of decoder that will fit. I think this loco might be an older one with the split frame design. I did a similar loco for the TCS web site http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Bachmann/Spectrum_Dash_8-40CW/Spectrum%20Dash%208-40CW.html the more recent iteration of this loco has DCC on board, but I think the part number you posted is an older one?
tommy2tap trying to keep initial cash outlay down. i have decided on the digitrax system because of the ease of expansion later. i know decoders dont have to be the same brand but i would like to keep all digitrax components. but if i need something else for the gp 30 so be it. i want to thank everybody for their help in advance.
trying to keep initial cash outlay down. i have decided on the digitrax system because of the ease of expansion later. i know decoders dont have to be the same brand but i would like to keep all digitrax components. but if i need something else for the gp 30 so be it. i want to thank everybody for their help in advance.
I have a Zephyr as my main command station, I love it, and very happy with it and would recommend it to anyone. Mine has had extensive expansion and so you are correct in that regards. Personally, I don't care for Digitrax decoders and consequently have very few of them. I don't like they way they handle LED's and having tried their sound decoders, find them to be very poor compared to the better, and admittedly more expensive brands. There is absolutely no reason or technical benefit to stick with Digitrax decoders.
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
Hi Tommy,
Simon's sorted almost all. I've put a Tsunami in the Spec. GP30, needed a lot of the chassie removeing from under the fans to take the enclosed speaker(can be later when fitting the bug) but I'd do it when converting as you need to make room for rear light. Mine was done with a hacksaw but even better if you know somebody with a milling machine.
Be in touch.
pick.