Is it easy to set up on Atlas Code 83 Track?
Tell me the process of how you set it up and how long it took.
Does any decoder work on the system?
Do you have to set up “blocks”?
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
-
Yes
-
2 Wires from control unit to track…plug in system
-
The only decoders that dont work with it are the ancient MRC ones (about 10 years old)…but they arnt around anymore
-
No
Cheers
David
I found it very easy to set up and use
Plug it in run 2 wires to the track that’s about it
My layout is small 10x12 shelf around the room
with a set of 14 gauge buss wires running around the layout
with smaller feeder wires about every 18 inches to the track
I chose not to block my layout into seperate power districts
since 99% of the time i’m the sole operator
The Zephyr comes with easy instructions
I haven’t found a decoder yet that it won’t work
But i’ve only used 3 different ones
Here’s a link for the Users group
Actually, it is very easy to set up on pretty much any code of track. What I would do is solder a wire running from the “Rail A” socket on the DCS 50 command module directly to one rail and another wire running from the “Rail B” socket to the other rail. I didn’t need to do this, as I am running on Bachmann E-Z track, which has a little “quick plug” on the terminal-rerailer. Bachmann makes a special wire with one of these quick plugs on one end and a pair of forked terminal connectors on the other end. I simply cut off the forked terminal connectors, stripped the wire, and inserted the two wires into the Rail A and Rail B sockets on the back of the DCS 50 command module. This process only took me 5 minutes, but soldering the wire to the rails would take about 7 minutes or less, depending on how good you are with a soldering gun.
Yes, pretty much any decoder works on this system, even stationary decoders.
Depending on how big your layout is, you really don’t need to set up blocks. My layout has about 70 feet of mainline track, and I have no problems running 2 trains on it (all that will fit right now!). My current setup is a single-track loop that is approximately 23 feet long by 7 feet wide. Also, there is a passing siding on one side, but this will soon change as I get my hands on more track.
Good luck with your layout. I hope I was of some help. [:)]
-Brandon
I disagree with David on the 4th point → it depends on how big your layout is. But other than that, the Zephyr is not too much different than connecting a standard DC controller to the layout.
NeO6874,
Unless your layout is truly monstrous, or unless you have a lot of trains running, or unelss you want signals and block detection, you can live without multiple blocks on DCC. My own layout is 25’ x 50’ (HO), with a 200’ of double track mainline run and 4 yards. I have only one block with my Digitrax Zephyr, and I operate it once a week with 3 (sometimes 4) operators.
Sure, when someone runs into a switch thrown against them, or derails, everyone knows about it, but it also keeps us honest. [:)]
At the same time, my club has 120 blocks (and we’re not halfway done yet). But then my club will have signals and already has block detection for our eventual 6300 sq. ft. layout.
I know it’s a “good idea” to have blocks for tracking down problems, but IMHO that’s not really needed as the sound a short makes in DCC is easily audible to me (younger ears can hear 'em best).
Paul A. Cutler III
Weather Or No Go New Haven
Paul,
Are you agreeing or disagreeing with my comment[%-)]
I was thinking about blocks necessitated by having multiple boosters… I guess i didn’t word it as clearly as I had thought. Sorry for any confusion.
Great replys so far!
Now I, I was thinking about buying a SD40-2 Milwaukee Road BlueLine locomotive from First Hobby for 116.00$. This comes with the sound…but no decoder. Is there any specific decoder I should use in this engine for it to work properly on my Zephyr?