Nope. I got a Zephyr when it first came out several years ago, and have not had any problems like you describe. I operate weekly on my 25' x 50' HO layout with three operators, 3 DT400R radio throttles, a UR91 radio receiver, and up to 8 locos running at one time. I have no circuit breakers or reverse loops as it's all one block for my 3-yard, 2-terminal, double track railroad.
I am also the assistant electrical chairman at my 60+ member club, and we've been using the Digitrax Chief since 1999 on what will be our 6300 sq. ft. HO layout. Our layout is only 1/3rd built, but we already have 8 BDL168 block detectors, 1 PM42 (for a wye, two diamonds, and a turntable), 13 DS54 stationary decoders, 1 DS44 stationary decoder, and 8 DB200 boosters.
Paul A. Cutler III************Weather Or No Go New Haven************
New DCC user
I bought the Digitrax Zephyer and never did get it to work right. the first one went up in smoke. The second quit working almost immediately. Digatrax put a new mother board in one. The fourth time i sent it back, i ask for and received my money back.I also bought a PM42 with the same results. It would never auto switch the reversing loop.
Also the Zephyer would not start up with three locos on on the tracks.
My next purchase was an NCE power cab. I took it home, plugged it in and never had to change anything.The NCE fires up with five loco'sThe reversing loop is controlled with a DPDT switch.
I have never understand why one brand would work so well and the other would not work at all. Any one else have problems like this?
Yankee Flyer