I am getting ready to make the switch to DCC, and after many hours of research have decided that Digitrax’s Zephyr system is right for me. One bit of information I am confused about/unable to find though, is whether or not this system will support sound equipped locos? I’m assuming yes, but I want to be sure before I go and purchase those nice sound equipped locos that I hear are well worth the extra dollar. Thanks for the input!
yes it will
Yes. Have you considered the UT400 throttle and the radio? I found those to be worth the money.
Any DCC system will support DCC sound-equipped locos. The only question is how much will it support it.
For example, the Zephyr alone will only give you access to functions F0 to F8. On QSI-sound equipped diesel locos (the most popular at my club), that’s usually:
F0 - Headlights
F1 - Bell
F2 - Horn
F3 - Coupler Crash/Coupler Pin/Air Hose Parting
F4 - Radiator Fans (normally automatic)
F5 - Dynamic Brake Fans
F6 - Doppler Effect/Start Up
F7 - Wheel Squeel
F8 - Mute
What’s missing is:
F9 - Disconnect/Stand By/Shut Down
F10 - Speed (in scale miles per hour)
F11 - Short Air Release
F12 - Short Air Release
To access these F9 to F12 functions, you must purchase a throttle capable of accessing them like a UT4 or a DT400 (or you could use your computer with an MS100 interface and the correct software).
The way it works is that Digitrax uses a peer-to-peer network called “Loconet”. Sort of like Ethernet. Anyways, the system provides the network, while the modules you add provide the substance (like throttles, etc.). And the Zephyr’s throttle only handles F0 to F8. So the limitation on the Zephyr isn’t the system so much as the physical throttle attached to it.
Paul A. Cutler III - a satisfied Zephyr owner
Weather Or No Go New Haven
RRFoose,
Yes the Zephyr will support sound equipped engines. I have had a Zephyr for nearly 4-years and have been very happy with it. You can see my system, complete with two MRC Railpower 1300s on the ‘jump’ ports on my website. Push the ‘LAYOUT’ button and scroll down the page. Link is in my signature.
Good luck with your Zephyr. You will never regret your purchase or the change to DCC.
Thanks for all of the quick responses! I’m sold - hopefully I can purchase a system this weekend, then get it set up in the next week or two. I have two Atlas B40-8s that are decoder equipped and ready to go, and I think I’m gonna buy a Kato SD80MAC and install a sound decoder. Should be a great time! Thanks again!
Chase Z.
The Zephyr is a good system. The DT400 throttle and Radio are a little bit more expensive. The beauty is the loconet can accept future additions without question. You might find the DT400 or other hand held thottles providing a better tactile response to the throttle.
RRFoose,
Not sure what happened above, but here is the message again with a workable link, I hope.
Yes the Zephyr will support sound equipped engines. I have had a Zephyr for nearly 4-years and have been very happy with it. You can see my system, complete with two MRC Railpower 1300s on the ‘jump’ ports on my website. Push the ‘LAYOUT’ button and scroll down the page.
Good luck with your Zephyr. You will never regret your purchase or the change to DCC.
Set up is a matter of disconnecting the two leads from your DC system and hooking them to your Zephyr. Shouldn’t take two weeks.
I agree with Art. Radio is a terrific way to run a railroad. Depending on you your layout and how you like to run it, this could be a great future addition for you. And, the beauty of Digitrax is that you can work your way up the updgrade ladder as needed and as budget allows.
The Zephyr plus a DT400 throttle is an ideal combination and will then give you the F0 - F12 functions. The UT4 will do the same. And, both the DT400 and UT4 can be upgraded to radio later with no cost penalty. Of course you will need to add a radio receiver as well.