I’m looking to upgrade from MRC’s System 2000 to the Digitrax Zephyr to benefit from the sound system on the Broadway Import engines. I’m now running the System 2000 with MRC’s Control Master 20 power supply.
Will I be able to continue to use the Master 20 with the Digitrax Zephyr, and the same MRC decoders (as long as I don’t need more functions)?
What is the minimum I need to buy to get started with the Digitrax Zephyr?
Will the basic $170 unit do it or do I need more??
All you need is the basic Zephyr:
http://www.digitrax.com/forme.htm
and more importantly, read all of this:
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/2004/031104.htm
You will not need the Master 20 for anything, though you could use it (or anyother standard power pack) as a second throttle.
The MRC decoders should have no issues.
You should also get one of these, given you are interested in QSI® equipped locomotives:
http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/powerpax.htm
Note that there are current-draw issues with the QSI Sound units. They can easily overload most DCC power supplies on startup (Once tehy are powered up, they work fine)
How much current do these sound sytems use?
The sound system itself uses very little. The QSI® system, as now implimented, has rather high capacitance, which is required for its operation on DC - not DCC, which causes a rather large initial system start up current draw. The Zephyr will have no problems with three QSI® equipped locomotives. For more than than, you should have seperate power districts, each with thier own booster.
I have a Zephyr and run two old DC packs hooked to the jump ports. I have also hooked up my PC using a Locobuffer 2 and JMRI software. This gives me access to 4 throttles. We have 2 BLI steamers and have had no problems running them together along with 2 other Proto, Athearn or Atlas locomotives. THe Zephyr handles this with no problem at all.
I’ve had no problems using my Zephyr to program a BLI GG1 and an Atlas Trainmaster, both with the QSI sound. I also tried shorting the rails with both of them ont he track and there were no problems recovering once I removed the short.
Now, if I had TEN BLI locos… but then, I’d need more than 2.5 amps to run it, as well.
Follow the advice of the others, hook the 20 to the Zephyr’s jump port and you can control two locos at the same time. And you can use the accessory output for structure lighting and other stuff.
–Randy
I have a Zephyr and love it. My boys and I run a pair of OSI equipped BLI Mikados with no problem. I think it is a great product and met my needs for a really simple system that a 4 and 7 year old can use. I have since added a DB150 booster, a DT400 throttle, IR wireless control and a PC interface. A great product to build on.
Hello,
My 2 cents.
A close friend of mine is using a Zephyr on his layout. He’s let me operate on it, also. He’s run BLI units and as well as locomotives equipped with TCS, Digitrax, and Soundtraxx decoders. No problems.
I’ll be gettting a Zephyr from my LHS.
My friend, a technical expert, has a quote that he wishes modelers would heed:
(Paraphrased) RTFM ( READ THE STINKIN MANUAL! )
The most important point that has to be emphasized. Take your time in studying the manual! Being electronically challenged, I found it a little intimidating at first. Yet, the more I read it, the easier I realized the system actually is to use.
Looking forward to it! [:D]
I have a Zephyr, use it with QSI sound equipped engines with no problem, but at most have two running at any one time.
One thing to be aware of is the Zephyr only can access F0-F8, the newer BLI / QSI sound engines do use F9 & F10 now. The Digitrax UT-4 walkaround is a fairly inexpensive add-on and does have F0-F12 access.
The above info is right on. The $170.00 price might be a little high so check around. Tony’s or some others might be able to save you a double saw buck ( $20.00 ) or so.
Another place that I also do business is Loy’s Toys. I have never had a complaint with them either.
With what you will save will let you get two car kits. That’l be good for your lay out also.
Joe
Some new Zephyrs have been coming through on Ebay for lower prices.
Think I paid $140 for mine from Loy’s Toys in Apr 2004.