I bought mine 2 months ago and a 5 amp booster for my layout too. Haven't hooked up the booster yet but I have ran 4 loco's on it with no problems. I bought the amp for my add on which is a addional 8 x 12 mod that I'm building now. I run it on a 8 x 15 layout now and I'm very happy with it. The good thing its a basic DCC system that is functional and simple. Bachmann does offer a 5 amp booster I went Digitrak with mine. My LHS can get them I'm sure your's can too if they carry EZ there.
4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail
No Because Bachmann does have power boosters for your set. I own the set myself for my 7 by 7 layout. HO scale. I run 8 engines at a time with no problem. I would how ever get digitrax if you want to run more or have a bigger layout.
Maybe I'm misreading some of the comments in here, but can you hook up any booster to an EZ DCC set? I have one that I have yet to use, and I don't want to shell out for the 5 amp booster.
Wikious Maybe I'm misreading some of the comments in here, but can you hook up any booster to an EZ DCC set? I have one that I have yet to use, and I don't want to shell out for the 5 amp booster.
Any suggestions on a good but decent priced booster (don't want to spend alot)- Also how do you determine if you need one other than throwing the trains on and seeing if they run, or is that the easiest. I have a new layout 8x12 lower level and 4x10 upper level and planning on running approx. 3 trains at once - 2 lower and 1 upper. maybe i don't even need one. Also, I want to have my nephews come over and run the trains with me. If I add the Walk around by Bachmann could two kids run a seperate train at the same time? I'd assume that I would never have 3 controlled seperatly with this system. Thanks for any help.
First time post-er here.
Some interesting discussions on EZ Command, which me & my 3 little gremlins are running. Santa brought it this year and we have the Bachmann DC controller hooked up as well. That provides lots of opportunities to run 2-3 trains no problem and the kdis like having 2 controllers in p[lay at once. Really like the Bachmann system, as it's a great intro tp DCC operations. Highly recommended for beginners / new to DCC.
Questions I have for the forum are about Bachmann Walkaround Companion units. 1 - Can you run the Walkaround Companion with both the DC controler and the EZ Command DCC controler (thus having 3 "in play")?2 - Theoretically, how many Walkaround Companions can you use in conjunction with the EZ Command controller?In essence can we have 3 controls with EZ Command DCC, and how do we do it?
Love the forum and website - will be back for much more knowledge and guidance. Thanks,
Kingred & the Oakville Junction Gang
kingred58 - Welcome to trains.com!
Darren (BLHS & CRRM Lifetime Member)
Delaware and Hudson Virtual Museum (DHVM), Railroad Adventures (RRAdventures)
My Blog
Hi and Kingred & the Oakville Junction Gang
You might get better and quicker responses by posting this question on the "electronics and DCC" forum here on MR site.
Heres a link: http://cs.trains.com/TRCCS/forums/744.aspx
The reason I say that is that this thread is dated from 2005 start date, and some may not bother to open it. If you start a new thread it wil have the current date and may get some to open it and answer your question.
I personally have the Bachmann EZ C, but I don't use the walk around companion OR the DC controller. I stopped using DC and DCC trains mixed like that on the layout to AVOID burning out something as I can fry a toaster just by taking it out of the box. Be very careful if you are mixing the two.
The walk around companion is a little bit of overkill on my small layout, but I have considered for a long time as I plan to expand, {but I think I will buy a newer more expansive DCC controller.}. I am just not sure I can justify the cost compared to what I paid for the EZC WITH a loco when I bought them 3-4 years ago!
If you want to give it a go, give it a go. I DO believe that one can run a train on the main station, one on the DC controller and one on the walkaround though, to answer your question. I say this because I believe that one operator can use the main station and one the walkaround for dual throttle control on the layout to control 2 trains. AND you should be able to actually run 3 or 4 trains - two DCC on each the main station and on the walkaround AS LONG AS your amp draw is not to high so as to burn out the EZC.
Another thing to consider is the amps draw that three locos have and whether or not you will burn out the EZC if the 3 locos draw to much for its one amp capabilities!. A DC, especially older, can draw heavy amps compared to the newer DCCs. You MAY need to buy the 5amp booster if you want to continuously run 3 trains.
You could also try hunting and posting on the Bachmann's "ask the bachmann" forums. Here is a link:
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/index.php
Just my thoughts and observations.
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
I actually have the walk around throttle. This way my wife and I can operate separate trains and our "son" (actually a cousin) can act as dispatcher and operate the analog switching or he can drive the drive the train and she can dispatch etc. I have found that 3 trains will be OK without a booster but normally only 2 run, as it gets to be too much to keep track of 3 trains.
Joe Staten Island West
First welcome to the site. I am a big E Z Command fan. While I cannot help you with the question about how many walk around units you can use. If you happen to need more power, I hooked mine to a MRC Power Station 8 DCC booster.
Only reason I went with Digitrax SEB was because I had a wiring problem. I was BBQing decoders, and everyone one said it was because of the E Z and 8 amp booster. Found the wiring problem after I bought the new DCC system. Other wise I would still be running the E Z. I keep it as my spare and uses it on the repair table.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Bachmann does sell a power booster here is info about it
E-Z Command® 5 amp Power Booster
Item No. 44910
Our 5 amp booster provides extra current to the track for the control of an increased number of DCC locomotives on your HO, N, or On30 layout. Also appropriate for DCC equipped large scale locomotives.
For the price of the E-Z Command booster, you'd be better off going with a much better and more power starter DCC system. Adding more power to a basic but limited DCC system is not worth the expense, IMO.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
This is an older topic resurected.
tstage For the price of the E-Z Command booster, you'd be better off going with a much better and more power starter DCC system. Adding more power to a basic but limited DCC system is not worth the expense, IMO. Tom
I have to agree. I have the EZ C. Although I've not really had the opportunity to buy the booster, I figure to spend that much* {currently$ 233.91 here}:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=RGBVCW&offset=25&ID=200425957
*That I would go to another system, such as the digitrax Xtra.
The basic system is $99+ here:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/Detail.asp?Scale=HO&Item=RGBVCW&ID=200401356
To spend $300+ on the basic and the booster, I'll go to another setup I think.
I am happy with the EZC for my small layouts.
Just My opinion, too.