OK, I am looking at DCC starter sets like the Digitrax Zephyr, Lenz / Atlas Commander (or that Bachmann system if I can find one!), and wondered if it could be used to run 2 seperate layouts. What I have in mind is a largeish (20'x10') n scale layout, and a HO Inglenook puzzle layout. I like the slow speed running and switch control DCC offers for the inglenook, but the multi loco control is wasted there. On the 20x10, DCC is pretty much mandatory, I think. Could I wire them into the one command station / power combo without major problems?
I can't see why not. As long as you have enough power. Just make sure your decoders have different addresses so you don't acquire a locomotive on a different layout and run it onto the concrete! Make sure you have some way of isolating them though for troubleshooting.
You could use one system to power to layouts as long as you have enough amperage that two layouts would demand.
I have thought about this. I am in the process of ordering an EasyDCC system and I thought if I got a throttle extender system and walkaround throttles I could run a coax cable from one room to another. I would then use 2 walkaround throttles for my son's layout and the main system and walkarounds for my own layout. Might just work.... Cheers
Why coax cable? I haven't looked at the EasyDCC system but normally you have 2 separate parts, the power for the track and the network. The power to the track is usually two #12-14 awg wires while the network is normally a 4-6 telephone cable, not coax. David
CVP uses coax for the throttle network. I believe they do have a converter to use 6 conductor phone cord however. Paul
I didnt think there would be a problem. I feel it would be mandatory to have each layout capable of being isolated totally via a 3 way switch (layout 1, layout 2, both). Yeah, I thought on the decoder too...would be a bit disconcerting to try running your HO layout and hear the train crash from hell on the N Scale behind you...LMAO. I ordered a Bachmann EZ Controller system yesterday. For the price, even if its a piece of junk, I have to try it! The more they sell of these things, the cheaper it will make Digitrax / Lenz and company market their products. BTW, the EZ Controller is actually manufactured by Lenz.
i'd go with a 8amps digitrax chief II. for a h0 layout of this size i assume a zephyr doesn't have the power.
The problem is, Sandro, the chief runs about $1,000 here, and thats quite a bit different from $139. The EZ Controller, while very simplistic, seems to be a great entry level for those trying to see if DCC is for them, and Bachmann should be commended, through sales, for being so......trend setting. As I said, even if its a piece of junk, which I dont think it will be, its still going to be better than DC. I expect it to be like most 'cheap' bachmann stuff....cheap, but functional. Way short of what a puritan would want, but perfectly adequate for small scale 'hobbyists', and its these hobbyists that account for quite a bit of the market in the cheaper price brackets. Get them buying it and pressure is exerted on the big boys to come down in price, or even if that isnt enough, the pure demand for things like decoders will help it reach 'critical mass' and drive the price down by default. Just like computers have done in the past 2-3 years.
I think the EZ will probably be fine for your inglenook, but you may run out of power on the big N layout if you operate more than two ot three engines at a time. Layout size itself isn't really the factor for power needs, it's the number of locos (and what they draw in various states) that is significant. The Bachmann EZ has a 1 amp power supply which they say will run two locos, but that is probably a worst case. You might well get 3 or 4 to go if they only pull 1/4 amp each. It isn't clear whether the EZ can be beefed up with a bigger power supply - it sounds as though the wall-wart may be the limit and the actual controller could perhaps do more. The other think I don't see mentioned in the EZ sales blurb is consisting. If it won't do this then putting more than one engine onto a train may be difficult. The Zephyr and Commander are both rated 2.5 A which should do for at least 5 locos. That is 5 running locos, but you do need to allow a little for those that are 'idling' on the powered track, as the decoder and lights (if on) will use some power. I'd suggest allowing 0.1 A each for that; double it if they have sound.
Mike, it does actually say that you can MU, just by setting the loco addresses the same. How well it does it, of course, is another thing. I havent checked the draw on my P2K's, but they will be fine on the inglenook (set the whole thing up on my wifes craft table t day and it runs a treat on a cheap nasty 'train set' controller). I hope your right, because the wall wart is easily replacable. I dont see a need to run any more than 3 locos... I have no intention, at this stage, of running MUs, nor do I intend running both layouts at the same time. Since it will be single operator, the best case scenario, without block detection, would be 2 mainline continuous runners and 1 switcher...so I;d only really be running one, but the other 2 would, of course, be drawing current. I dont see this as the be all and end all for my foray into DCC, but like with most who will buy it, its a good introduction to see if its what I really want to do. My N-scale layout will, obviously, be starting small, and the first couple of locos will 'give me a taste' for what I want in the grand scheme of things, without spending $1000 or more.
dissime.... check out www.sodigi.com they sell the 5amp super chief for us$360 (8 amps is us$16 more), the zephyr goes for us$160.
Problem is Sandro, US $160 becomes AUS $375 by the time it gets here. I can pick up 3 of the Bachmann setups for that price. Thats not to say that the Zephyr isnt going to be the one I choose, (or the Lenz Set 100 for that matter), but until I'm sure DCC is for me, I'd much rather spend 1/3 of the money, get a feel for it, then if I like it go and get a 'real' system and introduce a nephew to the hobby by giving him a 'hardly used' DCC system for xmas OK, I admit it... I already KNOW dcc is for me, but I have much more chance of getting away with $139 then 'upgrading' later than I have of spending $375 just to get started
