DCC question

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I just finished putting a g scale layout around the ceiling of my game room. I have a Bachmann DCC three truck shay w/ factory sound and am looking for an easy inexpensive way to control it.I have a digitrax super chief system for my HO stuff and was wondering if I can use the Digitrax Zepher for the G scale. If not, what would be comprable in price that is easy to use?

2

You might get a better, or at least more focused, response over in Electronics and DCC.

I don’t see why you couldn’t control both systems from the Zephyr, though. Is the HO layout also in the game room with the G-scale stuff?

If not, you probably want to think about some sort of plug-and-socket arrangement for you track leads, so you don’t have to keep dealing with screw terminals as you switch from one layout to the other.

I’m not sure if you can control all the sound functions from a Bachmann EZ Command. It’s a low-end DCC system that might work for you if it can give you the sound countrol you’ll want.

3

IIRC HO decoders usually work at 1 amp whereas large-scale decoders are more like 3-amps. Since the Zephyr is designed for HO/N scale and I think has a max of 1 amp it might not be able to handle a G-size engine.

4

Well, according to the Model Railroader review of the Bachmann three truck Shay, it draws 2 amps with the wheels slipping, so the Zephyr should have enough power to run it. I don’t know if the 12 volt output of the Zephyr is enough to make it run at a reasonable speed. If the 12 volts is not enough, you could still control the Shay with your Zephyr, but you would have to get a booster(a Digitrax DB150, is one example, but you can also use boosters from NCE, Lenz, and others) to power it, which would be cheaper than getting another DCC system for it.

5

??? Why don’t you use the Superchief for the G-scale too?

But the direct answer (if you really want to buy another control system) is yes, I use my Zephyr with my G-scale all the time. I also use my Lenz and the old MRC-2000. Since my G-scale isn’t fixed I use whatever one is most handy at the time.