Hi!
Being only into DCC for a few months, I’m finding that I don’t have any set place to store the Digitrax controller. Usually it just lays on some benchwork.
The layout is under construction and a second controller will be installed when the main level is complete - and I’m not sure where to keep it between use. Obviously I want to keep it safe and "dust free but just don’t know what to do with it.
Soooo, what do you do with yours when not in use?
thanks,
Mobilman44
My Dt400R is sitting on the layout right where I left it last week. The UT4R’s are in a drawer underneath. The one place I do not leave them is hanging from their cords in my UP5’s. That’s the best way to need a premature plug replacement.
Martin Myers
My Lenz throttles have a strip of Velcro on the back. A few of the layout legs have the opposite flavor of Velcro. So, the throttle has a place to hang out when not in use.
Now what I need is beverage holders.
My last layout never got past the tracklaying phase, so when not runnign trains I usually just left it sit on top of the layotu somewhere. Not very practical. I was planning to go the velcro route once I had a fascia installed. I don’t like things sticking out where clothes can catch on them, like cupholder-type throttle holders. Putting the fabric side of the belcro on the layout fascia also keeps from getting cloithign attached to it if you brush up against. If you put the hook side ont he layout, you’ll get caught if you brush against it.
–Randy
Try these. I have 3 mounted on the side of my benchwork, and they work pretty well.
http://www.dallasmodelworks.com/products/product_detail_accessories.asp?ItemNumber=NR-501-400203
Good luck,
Joel
I have throttle pockets located on the facia.
My Digitrax Zephyr has a strip of velcro on the back (2" X 0.5") that is atuck to a matching piece of velcro on the layout facia. The only problem I had with this is that the strip on the Zephyr would pull loose once in a while. I put it back on with a bit of super glue and have had no further problems with it over the past 7 months.
I made my own out of scrap facia masonite:
Terry
Dito. Or ditto, whatever turns yer crank. [8D] I think I found a package with several 2" diameter wafers of velcro and their matching pads at Wally’s a few years back for a buck or so. One goes on the back of my DT400 and the other on the front fascia or boards of my layout’s main bench, close to the base station.
Thank you all for the replies and advice!
I suspect I’ll start using the velcro during construction, and may or may not go to pockets after. Considering the price and potential for breakage, I sure want to take care of them (DT400s).
Mobilman44
I bought a “Universal Pocket” but haven’t installed it yet. For now I drilled a small hole in the back of my UT-4 and put a few small track nails into the fascia (or more accurately, where the fascia will be eventually) and just hang it up there. My layout as of now is mall enough to just need the one walkaround and one plug in (with a cord extension) so it works out OK.
On my Roco Multimaus there is a keyhole shaped hole in the back of it, so I have a forged nail on the fascia to hang it on (my neighbour is a blacksmith).
I picked up a couple of these Universal Throttle Pockets and they work great for me:
You can usually find them discounted at train shows.
Tom
I have a Digitrax radio system, however I do not keep the batteries in the throttles. I have coiled extension cords which allow me to use the wireless throttles as wired throttles if I just want to go down to the basement to run trains for a few minutes, or test run a locomotive. All throttles are stored in throttle pockets attached to the layout.
I usually unplug the throttles and drape the cord over the top of the throttle in the pocket and leave it there much like the preveous posts. The command station is under the layout.
On my nightstand next to my bed. When I wake up in the morning I can fire them up and by the time I get down to the trainroom the windows are defrosted and the cab is warm and were ready to go.[swg]
Brent
I put a little I bolt on top of my Power Cab and it hangs on a finish nail at the work bench when unused. Velcro or even a magnet glued on the back works also. When I finally finish the home layout it will have shelf type pockets in the fascia so nothing stick out to snag some one.
Pete
Throttle pockets as well…just above my adult beverage holder.
The throttles on my system one get unplugged and put in a stackable drawer rollaround that I keep my supplies in…my Atlas Commander is on a removable bracket with molex plugs for all electrical connections. I just unplug it and take it off the layout for storage.
I started using computer mouse holders,then I realized how many I would need,and figured I’d better look for something cheaper.
Then I tried building them from 1/8 poplar,and realized how much time that would take.
Finally,I got outside the box, and went the other way.
I have a prodigy advance, and there is some clearance inside the handheld case, so I drilled a small hole in the top center of the backpiece, and threaded in a brass cup hook. I only had to use 1 per handheld, instead of 1 per every location I wanted tohang a throttle I started to drill small holes near the facia, every few feet,but then I figured, the most likely place to hang a throttle would be near a switching area, so now I just hang them on the micomarkbill boxes. I’ve got about $2 and 45 minutes invested,ans can hang my throttles in any town.