Quote from: rustyrails on May 29, 2009, 12:00:51 PM
You had best ask Digitrax.  Generally speaking, the throttle, command station and booster all need to be from the same manufacturer.  That's a very conservative response, but you have a LOT of expensive magic smoke there.

Rusty

Actually, you can use boosters from any maker with most systems.  In fact, there are some pretty simple DIY boosters you can build yourself (and save cash).  I would suggest using a separate power district, as not all boosters have the same safety features (signal loss, thermal shutdown, shorts, etc).  Having a separate district will allow you to continue running as one booster shuts down.

Greg

How about you simply build your own booster and save some money (and arguements)...

the following boosters can be used on any brand system.

http://www.pdc.kth.se/~haba/slamra/dcc/booster/
includes thermal, signal and voltage protection

or

http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/HBridge.html
minidcc booster - very simple - less than 10 parts to wire up.

are you saying you were able to operate the multinaus with the EZ command?  Even though Lenz built both systems - I thought they were not compatible.

Can you give us more details.

Everyone...
the BEST dcc system is the one that fits YOU best, regardless of who makes it.  PERIOD.

Actually - some of the better documented self made DCC systems have kept up with the entry level systems.

For example, the NanoX system is a Lenz based dcc system (Lenz is bigger in Europe than Digitrax).
http://www.tinet.org/~fmco/lokmaus_en.html

The NanoX has better specs than the Zephyr (16 vs 10 loco addresses, 12 vs 8 functions, 31 vs 10 throttles).  Three amp booster built in.  The NanoX has a built-in S88 port for feedback (automatic tracking and train control), and a RailCom cutoff device (allows real-time feedback such as loco scale MPH, etc).  Although RailCom has been approved by the NMRA in 2003 - other makers have been slow to roll out the technology.

If you leave off the S88 and other features, the basic NanoX is only a handfull of components that can be easily wired together.

In addition, the site documents two self made throttles - one with limited function (like a yard throttle) and one with greater functions.

If Digitrax is your thing - the Minibox is a self made loconet system.  And Fremo has updated their self made Digitrax throttle - google it and see.

Don't always count out the self made DCC projects - they are well documented with circuit boards and instructions.  Funny how SOME dcc companies continue to charge the same thing for something that came out over 5 years ago while others are constantly bringing new features to the table.

Greg

since I will be taking the entire top off the frame - I will dis-assemble the entire thing and screw the frames together in order to take equal amounts off. 

I do not have the loco yet (won't buy until I'm absolutely sure about the chopping).  Does anyone know if the motor fills the entire boiler (width wise)?

It looks like it does not - according to the diagrams for dis-assembly.  It looks like a narrow slot in the bottom of the boiler.  can anyone confirm?

Greg

I am planning on doing a kitbash of a spectrum 2-6-6-2 (HO scale).  I would need to cut/file (don't have a milling machine) the top of the frame down slightly so i can mount a smaller diameter boiler.

What material is the frame made out of?  What method would be best for cutting or filing the frame down?

Of course I would need to disassemble the chassis in order to not get shavings in the mechanism.

Any thoughts?

can anyone post a photo of the vandy and semi vandy tenders offered by Bachmann, perhaps end-to-end so one can see the difference in length?

A pic is worth 1000 words.

Is there one that comes close?  How about the parts dept doing a trade?

Is the one on the new heavy mountain dcc/sound the same as one of the tenders offered seperate?

GC

I was speaking of the spectrum mountain with oil vandy tender (dcc w/sound) - NOT one with the square tender (oil or coal).

this guy right here:



this is oil fired, yes?

GC

Since the MT-4 from Athern is an SP prototype - I'm guessing it will be close to the SP details.  How closely does the Spectrum heavy mountain (with vanderbilt tender) map to the SP?  What is wrong with the spectrum model? 

Is the spectrum model "close enuf" for those who already own it or will we start having buyers remorse?  How do the Athern locos run compared to the spectrum?

Thoughts?
GC

As a modeller of the SP - I am always on the lookout for steam locos equipped with vanderbilt tenders.  Other than the heavy mountain - what other spectrum locos have this style tender?

I understand that the tenders can be ordered seperately, but that would leave me with extra square tenders to sell or give away.  Would the parts dept do a trade?

Does anyone have photos of this style tender swap they would like to share - along with any issues (such as wiring)?

Thanks
GC

The easy answer is yes...but not recommended.  You can run dc and dcc on the same layout if the areas are WELL isolated and there is no change of a loco crossing over (or shorting out) between blocks.

You are better off having a main switch that would let you run either dcc or dc over the layout seperately, not at the same time.

If you are doing a dc engine facility, I would recommend having the whole layout being dcc, and having the tracks/spurs which hold the non-dcc locos (say an engine house) isolated and wired to switches which would allow you to switch on the track which holds the loco (non-dcc) which you want to opperate.  This setup would leave the other non-dcc loco on electrically "dead" tracks whiole you run the non-dcc loco (you can only operate one non-dcc loco at a time any way).

As more locos get converted to dcc, those tracks in the engine house can be set to dcc only.

A warning - running a non-dcc loco on a dcc system can cause excess heat and strange noises from the motor - use caution.

Does that make sense? 

Since most people in this forum are more interested in criticizing your grammar and punctuation (this ISN'T school) - I'd thought I would try to answer your question (if you haven’t already been put off by the rude responses).

Most all DCC "controllers" or command stations are NMRA compliant, meaning they all meet a national standard, and therefore can operate other DCC equipment (loco decoders) by different brands.

Items like throttles have to be from the same brand in order to operate along with the command station (you can not use a digitrax throttle with a MRC command station).

In terms of wiring, there are usually two wires to the track, and 4-6 wires for the DCC command bus.  This bus links additional throttles to the command system.  If you are not using more than one throttle, you may not even have to wire the bus (some command stations have the throttle built in like the Zephyr).  When wiring the track, the two wires need to be connected to the track - and try to make multiple connections to avoid power drops. 

If you need more info, please don't be afraid to ask.

While searching through the online catalog I happened upon the Dynamis catalog page.  The MSRP is listed at $300.00.

Is Bachmann truly trying to enter the high end DCC markat at this price?  I do realize that this includes wireless (which currently commands a higher price).

What does the general user reading this think of this price level?  Should a tethered version be offered at a lower price point? 

Would those looking for wireless operation consider Bachmann?

Thoughts? I do know that ACTUAL price may be lower than this...