I just went and spent like $520 on a Digitrax Super Cheif 5amp Duplex system and it’s defective!
The only thing I get is a power indicator light. When I plug in the DT400D throttle I get nothing. The track status indicator light is off. When I power the system on I don’t even get a status beep (according to the manual.
And yes I made sure the flip switch was set to the Run mode.
I purchased it at Caboose hobbies here in Denver, so I’m taking it back tomorrow.
I’m not very happy with my purchase right now. [:(!]
Even with the best of companies, it happens sometime. Did you give either Caboose Hobbies or Digitrax a call about your problem - just in case they might be able to help you over the phone and save you a trip. (At least your return is local.) I would give them another chance either way.
I can feel your pain. I use NCE which I like very much, but nearly all the available systems are good, and all of them are subject to having lemons including NCE and Digitrax. I have purchased defective autos, appliances, TV’s, etc. and accept the fact that it does happen and there is no vendetta by American business to annoy me personally.
In fact, my former employers (I am retired) probably blamed me for defective work at times. So drink some coffee, relax and then take it back to Caboose. I have purchased from them many times mail order and had a clinker or two that they replaced quickly.
As example of what I am saying, I am a big fan of Kato SD40-2 diesels, the newer models. I have a total of 39 of them on my roster. I received one mail order recently that had a defect. It was handled properly, quickly, and without any significant delay to my railroad’s schedule.
That is a darned good price for the new Chief Duplex Xtra especially if it included a power supply. What is the powers supply you are using?
With the new sets, this should be a DT402D
I would get right on the phone with Digitrax this AM and have them trouble shoot over the phone. Otherwise take it back and swap it for a different one.
I just got off the phone with Digitrax support, and they concluded it’s bad as well. It might just be the throttle, because when I plug in the throttle without a battery there is no display.
They said to take it back to the LHS. I sure hope they have another one to swap out for me, yesterday when I got this I didn’t see any more of these units. If that’s the case, then Digitrax said they will ship me a new one.
I spent a total of $900 yesterday. I got everything, This system, with two DS64s, loconet cables, wiring, power supply (Magna Force 6amp), and some other things (track/switches).
I just got back from the store, and of course they didn’t have any more units to replace it with. So… from there recommendations, I exchanged it for an NCE Power House Pro wireless system.
It’s unfortunate that I got a defective system, but there was no way I was going to wait 2 weeks for Digitrax to replace mine that I just spent all kinds of cash on.
So I just hope this NCE works, geeeeez I’m all stressed out now.
I’ll let you know tonight when I fire up the NCE system.
Caboose Hobbies treated me well, there were very apologetic about the ordeal.
As I posted, I have NCE, converted from Dynatrol in 1999 to NCE, have upgraded a couple of times and am very happy with NCE. I use wireless and tethered cabs together. I also have four boosters for power districts. Worst thing that ever happened was I got one booster out of phase with the others and had an instant short as a train passed over the boundaries from one to the other. Got that one figured out and no more problems.
Good luck, but remember, nothing in this world is perfect.
The guys at the store told me that everything else that I got yesterday, the Digitrax DS64s stationary decoders, the loconet cables, wiring, power supply, everything should work with the NCE system.
The stationary decoders should work fine but I’m not sure about the cabling. Randy, is the Loconet cable also RG12?
I do have a Digitrax PS315 wall transformer powering my NCE Smart Booster. All I had to do was to clip the stereo(?) jack off the end of it then split and deinsulate the wires. Has worked great.
Do keep us posted how you like your Power Pro, Motley. Although not radio, I’ve been very happy with my Power Cab/Smart Booster combination.
It will all work with your NCE system but DO NOT plug those “loconet” cables into both the NCE jacks and the DS64 jacks. NCE and Digitrax use different configuration on their jacks even though the cables are exactly the same. Leave the DS64 jacks disconnected from any NCE jacks. Damage will most surely result. Those DS64’s will be connected to the track power outputs of the NCE booster and get all of their switch commands through that track power connection.
OMG, I was told by the guys at the store that I could use those cables, damn, good thing you warned me. WOW!
OK, so can you be more specific the connections. The track power connectors on the NCE booster will go to to my track bus wires, AND also to the DS64s? Where on the DS64s exactly?
Edit: And I can still use the loconet cables to daisychain only the DS64s together?
No real need to connect the DS64’s together at the Loconet cables. It won’t do anything without a Loconet ‘master’ on the bus, normally the command station but a BDL168 block detector can also be Loconet master. as can various versions of the Locobuffer PC interface. Connecting them to track power will allow the commands to get to them from the NCE command station.
OK, well the new system at least works. But I can’t figure out how to hook up the wireless box, there were no connection startup guide for the wireless.
Also, so if I want to control more that 4 switches with a route, I can’t do that? How would that work? Should I return the DS64s and get NCE stationary decoders?
I have PECO turnouts with PECO switch machines. I want to use the route control.
Would it be better to keep the DS64s and get the BDL168 block detector to crate the loconet bus?