Bachmann E-Z Command Booster

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

The 5 amp boosters arrived at the shop today!! selectable power level—14 or 18 volt use with any NMRA or NEM dcc system, and includes instructional dvd!!! all for around $100

2

RE,

Thanks for the info and update. I was wondering when Bachmann was going to finally get the 5-amp booster out on the market. I didn’t realize that they were planning on making the booster usable with other DCC systems.

I used to have the E-Z Command but have an NCE Power Cab now. With the Power Cab, the command station, throttle, and booster are all rolled up into one unit. However, my guess is that the E-Z Command booster can NOT be retrofitted to it. Even if it were, the Power Cab runs @ 13.5VDC so running it @ 14V may not be the best thing for it.

I’m sure some folks here will argue the fact that - even now with 5-amps - the E-Z Command will still be a “limited 5-amp system” because of the lack of accessibility to the CVs - and they have a good argument. Even so, for those who still desire the simplicity of the E-Z Command but would like the extra oomph to run more trains, or just want a relatively inexpensive booster to add on to another DCC system, it’s good information to pass along anyhow.

Thanks, RE! [:)]

Tom

3

Tom , i think you’ve missed the purpose of an add on booster like this.
you can use your NCE unit to power your whole layout if you don’t run too many locos at once . each loco draws current , measured in amps , if you try to draw more amps from the NCE booster than it is capable of it will probably just shut down . to get around this people divide their layouts into power districts and add boosters to provide power . you can still only run the same number of locos in the district that your NCE is powering , but other districts can have other locos running . the booster is connected to your NCE which then acts as the command station for the booster so your trains get the command signals even when crossing from one district to another .

i doubt the small difference in voltage would make any difference since it’s the decoder that determines how much voltage goes to the loco’s motor based on the speed setting of the controller rather than the track voltage

i hope that’s clear enough . maybe someone with more knowledge of DCC’s workings can give a better explanation

4

ereimer,

Thanks for the explanation. [:)] The other reason for my comment (but failed to mention) about not being able to us the 5-amp E-Z Command booster with the Power Cab is that - according to the NCE literature - the 1.7-amp Power Cab has a limit of 3 amps. (That’s what the NCE Smart Booster is supposed to boost the Power Cab up to.)

I’m sure Randy will pipe in sooner or later.

Tom

5

So let me get this straight. I buy the basic system for $60.00 (?), then buy the booster for $100.00, and this makes it a good deal? Don’t get me wrong now, I’ve got the basic system myself, so I’m not against it at all. For the money it’s hard to beat. But by the time you add the booster to the equation I could spend like almost nothing more and have several better systems instead, couldn’t I? Isn’t that pricing about in line with the NCE base system, the MRC PA2, or a Digitrax Zephyer? Or am I missing something?

6

Philip,

You are indeed correct:

Digitrax Zephyr - $150 (discounted)
NCE Power Cab - $140 (discounted)
MRC Prodigy Express - $139 (discounted)
E-Z Command + 5A booster - $160 (discounted)

However, you don’t get as much amperage with the above systems:

Zephyr - 2.5A
Power Cab - 1.7A
MRC Prodigy Express - 1.6A
E-Z Command w/booster - 5A

That’s why I stated earlier that if you desire or want the simplicity of the E-Z Command (and you don’t care about or have any interest with inaccessibility issue to the CVs) but you want more amps to run more locomotives, the 5A booster might be a good option. However, one might argue the point: How many folks who run DCC on their layout are ever NOT interested in having access to the CVs in order to tweak their locomotives?

Another issue might be: For a stand alone system, would the ~$100 Bachmann 5A booster provide the same amount of protection and integrity that an equivalent and slightly more expensive booster from another manufacturer would give you?

Digitrax DB 150 - $149.00 (discounted)
Lenz LV102 - $125.00 (discounted)
NCE PB-105 - $125.00 (discounted)

(Pricing from http://www.tonystrains.com/products/type_boosters_1.htm)

Tom

7

Yeah, I’d thought about that a little. It seems as if each system has it’s advantages, but there really isn’t one “package deal” type setup. It’s all a matter of tradeoffs. Some trade a little more then others I guess.

This booster then makes the Bachmann system the powerhouse of the bunch I guess.

8

Philip,

…at least in the amp department. [:)]

Tom

9

I think your mising it here folks, the booster can be used with other brand systems, not just the bachmann/lenz, but also digitrax, nce, mrc, any MRA/NEM dcc systems. so here’s a little more info; Engineered for Bachmann by Lenz thermal overload protected Opto-isolation(current) interface that consumes 30ma. THis eliminates any possibility for hidden groundloops through power station -7 volt signal on DCC bus to prevent booster from sending power to the track when command station stops sending signals. Features fan for cooling. connection for “common wiring” multi booster applications, as well as standard wiring connections. This power booster can be used with ANY NMRA/NEM conformant DCC system, not just Bachmann/Lenz. all for under $100.

10

I’m keeping my eye on the DB3 from NCE, 3 amps for any DCC system at a $79.95 list price (abotu 65 discounted). 3 amps is a good number per power district, at least in HO.

–Randy

11

Randy, so the 3-amp DB3 can be used with other DCC systems? (I was wondering what the difference was between that and the Smart Booster.) It’s hard to say when NCE will actually be bringing either on out.

Tom