It seems my “vintage” Digitrax Big Boy is not as upgradeable as I thought it was supposed to be. [:-^]
What specifically do I need to get the features of the newer sets? It appears I need a new system, if I’m reading correctly! [banghead]
I have a DB100(a?) and a DT200 throttle.
Rotor
The DB100 command station can not be upgraded to perform the functions of DCS 100 or a Zephyr. Really the only thing you can do is to convert it to a booster and get another command station. It is easy to make it a booster. http://www.digitrax.com/kb/index.php?a=1119 You could use either a Zephyr, a DB150 or a DCS100 as the command station and would still be able to use your DT 200 but with some limitations (See http://www.digitrax.com/kb/index.php?a=1203 ) So while you can still integrate your 10 year old plus components into a new Digitrax setup you really do need to get a new command station if you want some of the newer features.
Rotorranch,
The upgrade path for Digitrax systems has always involved buying another add-on device; either a throttle or a command station (or radio, or transponding, etc.).
Fortunately, all Digitrax components are compatible with each other (with the exception of the CT4 throttle from the 15 year old Challenger set). All your components can be re-used with any new devices you buy.
If you want read back capability, then you need to add either a DCS100 (Chief) or DCS50 (Zephyr). If you want to add access to functions F9-F12, then you need a DT400 throttle. AFAIK, you should be able to plug a DT400 throttle into your current system and it should work just fine.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Paul and Rotorranch, I am fairly certain that the DT400 would not give access to the higher functions just by plugging it into the Big Boy. In the case of the Big Boy the command station is actually in the throttle and at least from reading the Digitrax documentation they make it clear that the command station has to be upgraded in this case to access higher functions. Indeed with the Zephyr, if you want up to F12 you do need to add the DT400 and it works just fine, it is what I use with my Z.
That’s what I was afraid of. For F1-12, and 4 digit addresses, I need a DCS100(200?) Command station, and a current throttle.
[banghead]
Oh well, at least I will have an extra booster and guest throttle. [sigh]
Rotor
Rotorranch,
If Simon is right, then you would need a new command station. However, you do have 3 choices: the DCS50 (Zephyr: $160 w/ power supply), DB150 (Empire Builder: $149+$40 power supply) or DCS100 (Chief: $226+$40 power supply). BTW, the DCS200 is the 8amp version of the Chief. All of them allow the use of F0-F12 with a DT400 throttle, but only the Z or the Chief have decoder readback included. You can add feedback to a DB150 with the PR3 ($68) and your PC, according to Tony’s.
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Sorta, from what I understand. Still waiting to get my hands on a PR3, but from what I’ve been able to gather, the PR3 is almost like two separate devices in the same case that share a common USB connection to the computer.
One is a buffered MS100-like device which will let your computer communicate with the LocoNet. Using this part will not allow CV readback from a DB150, because the DB150 simply lacks that ability. You can send all the “read” commands you want over the LocoNet to the DB150 and it still won’t be able to read CV’s.
On the other hand, the other “device” within the PR3 is a very PR2-like programmer. It has it’s own set of programming track outputs, and it can both program and read back CV’s. It can also load sounds into Digitrax sound decoders.
So you’re not really “adding feedback to the DB150”, you’re adding another device that has, among other things, the ability to read back CV’s (and load sounds) on it’s own programming track. It’s a minor distinction, but an important one, especially when you consider that portion of the PR3 will work without any command station.
The one thing to keep in mind (again, I haven’t bee able to get a PR3 yet so I can’t verify this) is that you cannot use BOTH functions at the same time. That is, you’re either talking to the LocoNet (MS100 function), or you’re using the programming outputs (PR2 function).
HTH,
Steve
got to ask if you sure about this?? i understood that read back was a limitation of the command station, and i don’t see how plugging it into something else lets you read back CV’s when a DT400 won’t.??
locoworks,
I’m just going by Tony’s website: http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2008/061608.htm
“4. If you need to add a read-back programming track to his DB150 (Empire Builder) system the PR3 is a good choice.”
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Poor wording on the part of Tony’s. See my previous post in this thread about how the PR3 functions. Disclaimer: My info was obtained from a PR3 beta tester. As I noted in that post, I haven’t yet been able to get one myself and verify the details.
Steve
so does that mean it does or it doesn’t?? i know you can read back without a command station ( loksound programmer ) but i think i’m right in saying?? that if you use a locobuffer and decoder pro with an empire builder you can’t read back?
Which are you asking about, the PR3 or the LocoBuffer? Neither of them actually add readback to a DB150.
The PR3 can read back, but in a stand-alone manner. It does not need/use the command station for readback in any way. So it doesn’t “add readback” to the DB150 or any other command station. It does readback on it’s own. You’re simply adding another tool to your toolbox, you’re not changing the abilities of an existing tool.
And a LocoBuffer is nothing more than a means of allowing a computer to communicate with a LocoNet. It does not add any ability to a command station that the command station doesn’t already have. JMRI, likewise, can’t change the physical abilities of a command station. It can only work with the abilities the command station already has. So if (since) the DB150 is not physically capable of readback, adding a LocoBuffer and/or JMRI won’t change that
OK, i did think the empire builder couldn’t read back.so the PR3 lets you read back in the same manner as the loksound programmer. so i as have the loksound programmer, a locobuffer, a chief an empire builder and a zephyr, i don’t need a PR3 unless i get a digitrax sound chip?
If you want to add readback capability to a DB150, about the only thing you can do is add a BLD168 & an RX4. This will allow you to read back CV’s on the main, but not on the programming track.
Like the PR3, the BDL16x’s, when properly configured, don’t even need a Command Station to operate.
So again, that’s not adding readback to the DB150, it’s adding additional components, that have their own readback abilities, alongside the DB150.
Some may find that distinction small, but it’s an important one to understand, especially when you consider it in light of the OP’s original question.
Also, AFAIK, this method of readback will only work with Digitrax FX3 decoders.
Steve