I run Digitrax at home and at my club. I have and use a lot of UP-5 panels. I am familiar with their operation and I have no problem with them. A loosely-knit association of modular builders I know is proposing using Tony's Trains Universal Throttle Panels (UTPs). They appear very similar to the UP-5 panels, but are reputed to be more universal with regards to what sorts of throttles can be plugged into them and used. My question is this. If I have some of my own modules with UP-5 panels and will be building some with UTP panels, may I still daisy chain them together in the same Loconet bus or do I need to have completely separate systems? Thanks in advance for your insights and help, Adam
UTP's are more versatile only because they can be used on Digitrax, NCE, or Lenz systems. They could probably be used on any system that doesn't need more than 6 wires on its command bus. This is because unlike UP5's, all six pins are kept isolated on a UTP panel. UP5's have steering diodes, pins 2 and 5 are shorted together, auxilliary throttle power connections, etc. UP5's can not be used on any other manufacturer's DCC system. It is safe to use UTP's on a Digitrax system. So after the above, if your club anticipates using different types of DCC on their layouts, use UTP panels. If the club is dedicated to only Digitrax power, use UP5's. Martin Myers
From what you're saying, Martin, it sounds like if I have one part of my layout that is a module with a UTP on it (for club reaons) that I will be fine using it at home on my Digitrax system as well. Thanks for the responses, folks. I will probably call Tony's just to get it straight out of their mouths, too.
UTP's work fine on Digitrax. You can connect any Digitrax equipment to them. They just don't have the same auxiliary power options as a UP5. Martin
Sweet! I have also placed an email with Tony's to ask if they have seen any compatibility problems. Thanks for all your help!
