At our club, we have a Digitrax system and the guys divided the layout into 6 blocks. In addition to boosters, we have auto shut-off devices for each block. That way, if there is a short in one block, it does not affect the other locos in the other blocks. I did not install these myself, but I’m guessing that it’s a pretty easy install if you kept your wiring clean (i.e., using one bus).
Simon
Actually, you are better off using separate buses (sub buses) to create power districts within a booster district.
It would also be beneficial to use different colored wires for each power district (e.g., red and black in one power district, blue and orange in another power district, etc. That way, it is easier to identify different power districts from one another if and when you have to climb under the layout to diagnose a problem.
Rich
Agreed, I should have written “a bus” instead of “one bus”.
Simon
[Y]
Yes, I’m not clear how they could turn the DCC system off from their throttles - is it a function button or something on the throttle or ??
Hello All,
The more I read and reread the OP it occurs to me they are using one booster with no power districts.
That would explain the entire layout shutting down.
It seems that there are two (2) components to this thread:
The shutting down of the layout due to an undiagnosed cause or causes.
The dissatisfaction of the members with the Digitrax system.
As we all agree Digitrax DCC systems- -when properly installed- -is a robust system, and replacing it with a different manufacturer might not cure their issues.
If the membership is dissatisfied with the functions, ergonomics and/or features of Digitrax that is a separate issue.
Until we hear back from the OP it’s pure speculation on all our parts.
Hope this helps.
It’s quite easy to turn the system off with EngineDriver (a cellphone application), via Wifi.
Simon
Sometimes, speculation is all that we can engage in because of the fact situation. I have gone back over this entire thread, and I find a lot of good advice about possible reasons for the shutdown, Digitrax versus NCE, and the recommended division of the layout into power districts. The main issue here is the shutdown of the entire layout during prolonged periods of use.
To me, the most likely cause of the shutdown is the overheating of the booster. If the cause of the shutdown is a member pressing a button on his throttle, something is very wrong there. On my home layout, powered by an NCE 5 amp PH-Pro, I have never once inadvertently shutdown down my layout.
Rich
Hello All,
I agree…
I am not familiar with the Digitrax method of shutting down the entire layout- -cutting booster power.
After reviewing the NCE Power Pro System Reference Manual; pg. 61, a complete shutdown- -cutting booster power- -requires three (3) distinct and deliberate presses of the “Emergency Stop Button”.
That seems unlikely.
But according to the OP…
If the “Shut Down” function was disabled are you speculating that the WiFi throttles override the command station?
I’m of the opinion- -like others- -it’s a thermal shutdown caused by either poor airflow to the booster(s) or amperage overloading of the system.
[quote user=“betamax”]
Probable cause is overheating of the booster
I may have missed it, but as I re-read through the entire thread, I don’t believe that the OP ever mentioned the specific Digitrax system that is being used at his club.
Rich
I’ll toss a cat among the pigeons. Some would argue that Digitrax and NCE are both old technology - 30+ year old technology. The OP might want to widen his horizons and think about TCS system - they offer a lower end starter system LT-50 and a higher end system based on the the CS-105 + a wifi throttle. These are newly developed systems just within the last year or two and eveyone who has used one say they are very easy to use, easier to do consisting than NCE. Digitrax you need cheat cards to operate - ask me how I know. Digitrax was designed by electrical enginers for people with engineer brains. I don’t have an engineer brain although I do have a masters degree in science!
There are other systems out there to consider than the big two that have been around for decades.
I’ve had a Digitrax system for over 25 years and people had to feed me with a spoon to operate. I’ve tossed my lot with TCS now that I have layout just about ready to operate.
The TCS wifi throttles are widely praised as being much nicer to operate than those that come with the Digitrax and NCE systems. In fact people love the throttles so much, they are using them with Digitrax and NCE systems. [;)]
Meow! [oX)]
Oh boy. First of all, you are asking the wrong question. I could go on for pages about Digitrax vs. NCE, but that question is missing the forest for the trees. Digitrax and NCE, the two largest DCC companies in North America, currently exist purely due to market inertia, and not because of the merits of their product offerings.
I think the first action your club needs to take is to get the existing system 100% functional before switching to anything else. But if you want to switch to a better system, the question is not Digitrax vs. NCE, it is what DCC system to switch to. It is possible to turn track power off on Digitrax via PWR >>> N- but no one should be doing that during an op session, and if that is the problem, then you’ve got a member problem as to why people are turning the track power off when they are not authorized to do so.
First, in terms of switching from one system to another, there are people who have switched one way or the other for good reasons, including from a 100% functional Digitrax systems who have switched from one to another for well thought out, specific features, like more reliable radio throttles or double-ended consisting. Then there are people who have switched for bad reasons, like they didn’t bother to RTFM, and think that running away from their problems with their current DCC system will magically solve all their problems. Before you even THINK of switching, get your existing system 100% functional, and have specific reasons and features that you want to switch for, not something that you’re running from.
Secondly, Digitrax partially unfairly has a reputation as being hard to use, and NCE has an over-hyped reputation for being easy to use. Digitrax’s original throttle was hard to use, due to the cost of chips at the time, and the nature of their LocoNet network, compared to NCE’s polled serial bus. Digitrax matched NCE’s ease of use in 2006 with the DT400 series throttles, b
I 100% agree with Riogrande5761.
Our club has had the CS-105 since beta. We also had an NCE PH Pro system. Just in case the CS-105 beta didn’t work out. That proved unnecessary. We are not looking back.
We currently have the CS-105, an additional B-106 booster. 4 UWT-100s, A UWT-50e and 2 legacy NCE hammerheads and a WFD-30 for Withrottle support though we plan to replace that with the new MRC device in the coming months.
The CS-105 is THE BEST DCC system in 2024 in the club’s experience. Digitrax and NCE make ok systems and have for decades. They also haven’t added new features in decades.
A few reasons to consider it.
Also as noted the TCS UWT throttles are really really slick. Even before we switched to the CS-105 we were using the UWTs on our Legacy MRC system as well as the NCE. Everyone in the club prefers them.
Also, it’s kinda funny that you mistakenly had MRC in the title, and based on all the digitrax and NCE recommendations in the thread, it might be that not everyone is aware, but MRC is launching a brand new system soonish. It is going to us LCC just as the TCS products do. And it’s going to include some integration points for legacy prodigy users.&
When I was a club member many of the members did not have a lot of extra money for the newest and best, don’t know how much this has changed but needs to be considered.
In the end, my guess is that the club will resolve the booster issue and keep the current Digitrax system.
Rich
Really?
Speaking only about my NCE system, they have upgraded my Pro Cabs to the latest version software, which is good when you want to recall more than 2 engines.
I really like the ease of consisting and use.
Have the Powerhouse Pro Radio system with 2 additional boosters. Works well no complaints…
Neal
Neal, I am a bit confused. Did you mean to say Power Cab concerning the upgrade to recall more than two locomotives?
Rich
I mean in the past 13 years that I’ve been with my current club, I’ve never used a system that didn’t support more than 2 loco recall.
I would not consider that a big feature. Or rather, why did it take so long?
Obviously if you have a system you like and are happy with. Then that’s great.
But the OP asked about a comparison if they should chose to upgrade. And I think that should include more options.
For example. I think the TCS system would be far more compelling as an upgrade for the OP than the NCE.
Dunno, I have had an NCE 5 amp PH-Pro wireless system for 20 years now, and I cannot identify a single weakness.
Rich