what kind of power supply to use with digitrax zepher?, s empire b? trying to figure out this dcc thing before i start the new layout. i have only two n scale locos at present and all my friends are trying to convince me to do the dcc thing now. thanks david
If you buy the Zephyr set, it looks like you get the PS315 power supply with it. If you buy the Super Empire Builder, you have to purchase a seperate power supply, such as the PS515. These are Digitrax products. Check Loy's Toys http://www.loystoys.com/ and Tony's Train Exchange http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/ for instance, if you want to buy a non-Digitrax power supply.
David: Most DCC power supplies are a relatively inexpensive part of the DCC experience. The Digitrax Zephyr comes with it's own power supply. Any 15.5 volt power supply will work for any N scale DCC system. Stay cool and run steam......
I agree... If you have to buy your own power supply, the biggest issue is making sure you get the proper voltage & amperage to support your booster and projected needs. Harold
thanks, the wall warts i saw did not impress me. i'll look a little more. i really do not like "entry level" anything. the SEB is where i am headed. my LHS does not like them, something about having to remove all other locos from the layout to program a new one. seems to me having a section of "program track" (block) would work, switching the power "off" to the rest of the layout. any thoughts , info? david
IMHO when it comes to POWER you are best to stick to a manufactured Power Supply that is UL listed and certified, unless of course you are an electronics guru. I purchased the PS 515 with my system. They have the new one the PS 2012 able to handle multiple boosters. There is nothing wrong with the Digitrax SEB system ( Yes you either need to remove the locos or put in a programming track not a big deal) all systems (Digitrax, Lenz, NCE) all have Pros and Cons. Certainly for the $$$ the power supply is a good safe bet to purchase with it. To be honest for the difference in price I now regret not purchasing the Super Chief. I think getting the feedback on CV values at the throttle would be worth the difference. Hmmm... after reading powersteamguys comments though I may purchase another booster, so the super chief may arrive one day. However I will purchase the Loco Buffer, the open source programs and hook loco net up to an old computer.
thanks for all of the info. 1st the SEB is a big step up from the zepher for me. stepping up to the super chief would put to much of a dent in my budget. no money for decoders, the new layout, loco's i want, etc. seems i can upgrade as i go, though much more expensive, it is better than buying the super chief and putting it in a display case for a couple months while i build cash reserves. any other "secrets of success" would be appreciated. looks like i'll be emailing an order to wig wag, they are much lower than the LHS and support this forum. david
