Digitrax Zephyr computer connection?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

Hi,

I ordered a Digitrax Zephyr [:)] and was wondering, how I could connect it to my PC?
Do I need the Digitrax LocoNet to do that, or would a LocoBuffer II be enough?

Is LocoNet actually an additional hardware, or is this just a connection between
Digitrax modules? The Digitrax site isn’t very clear on that.

Thanks!

2

loconet is the connection between digitrax modules (and some other manufacturers as well) loconet is built into digitrax products and uses the telephone style connectors . locobuffer II is what you’re looking for

3

When you get your Zephyr, you will find it has 2 x 6 pin telephone style jacks on the back. These are the Loconet connector and can be connected to any loconet device. In my case, the cables goes thru the facia and start daisy chaining to UP5 and UR90 face plates for connection of my walk around throttles and IR module. I also have connected a PC to my Zephyr via the Loconet. To accompli***his you need a serial adapter interface for the PC. The Locobuffer 2 is an excellent choice for this and far preferable to the PR1 made by Digitrax.

4

Thanks a bunch for bringing clarity to this issue, guys.
Those were the answers I was hoping for.

Time to order a LocoBuffer II [:)]

5

Kyle,
You might take a look at Joe Fugate’s DCC clinic on this forum. He talks a lot about using a computer with DCC.

-Jack

6

Thanks for the tip, I’ll do that.

7

The Locobuffer is what you want to make the connection. Loconet is Digitrax’s connection scheme for boosters, throttles, command station, and accessories. All Digitrax products that have a reason so communicate to other devices have Loconet.
You will need software as well as the hardware device - for this I recommend the JMRI software suite (http://jmri.sourceforge.net), it’s FREE and has a lot of great stuff. Until you go with signalling and detection, the most useful part of JMRI is DecoderPro for programming decoders. Makes it VERY easy AND it saves each loco’s information in a database.

–Randy

8

Thanks Randy,

decoder programing was actually my primary reason to get a Zephyr and have it
hooked up to a PC. My layout is not that big that I really need a PC to
control my trains, but using it to program CV’s should be nice.
I started out with the Bachmann EZ-DCC system, which was fine until I realized
that not being able to program CV’s with it is just too much of a drawback.
But it’s not a bad system for only 60 bucks.

I really like the idea of being able to store the loco’s CV’s on the PC and to recall
them when needed. Great!