Product Review - CVP Easy DCC

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

For those who are interested, or have been wondering about CVP Product’s Easy DCC system, I offer the following review.

First, a bit about myself. I’ve been in the hobby 25+ years, and up until now, have been DC only. I model in HO scale, and have somewhere between 60-75 locomotives. I had acquired a set of 4 Intermountain F units with sound, and wanted to be able to have more. I know the MR staff uses this system on their layout, so I got one for myself.

I ordered the system by email, included my credit card number. I ordered the Extended Starter System, and the SBZ7 to DBZ7 upgrade - since I needed the autoreverse for reverse loops. The subtotal was 499+a few bucks for UPS. I got an email the next business day, confirming the order and saying everything was in stock.

A couple days later I arrived home to a box on my doorstep. I opened it and found a packing slip, credit card receipt, several smaller boxes, some foam packing peanuts and considerable documentation. I unpacked all the boxes and checked the contents. Everything was accounted for and arrived in good order.

I followed the instructions for hooking everything up. Since my layout is still in the early construction phase, I only had a short length of track available for testing. I wired up the booster (I used the Autoreverse side for testing purposes), connected the command station, and the respective power supplies. I did not adjust the voltage switch for the booster’s power supply. Apparently it’s only good for 120 watts, using a lower voltage allows higher amperage. It was on the 15 volt setting, and for HO scale, I left it there.

The ZoneMaster Dual (DZB7) has a 4-page instruction booklet. Since my installation was fairly basic, all I needed to do was run wires from the track outputs to my track, connect the power supply, and the data bus cable from the command station. I did not adjust the trip c

2

very nice review, always liked the EASY DCC system ,very nice people too ! but found a killer price on a used digitraxx …Jerry

3

Brad,

Very helpful review. Thanks for taking the time to write it! [Y][8D]

I originally looked at CVP before I chose NCE. I’ve done similar reviews myself on the NCE Power Cab, CAB-04p throttle, and Smart Boosters (both SB3 and SB3a); with the hope that the information is helpful in some way to others.

Tom

4

If you’re thinking of the DT400 throttles, it’s actually two (2) throttles in one enclosure. So yes, you can control “two” locomotives from “one” throttle (from the “human holding stuff” standpoint), but the DCC system sees it as two discrete throttles.

This part sounds more like you’re thinking about how some people will assign two decoders the same address (e.g. an A/B set as “1001”, because their road numbers are “1001A” and “1001B”) … though I could be misunderstanding what you’re trying to do here …

5

You are right, if you programmed 2 decoders with the same address, they can be assigned as 1 address to a throttle. This works well if you run an A/B set that never uncouples. Since my prototype had equipped most (if not all) of its units with couplers, and differing road

6

Very well written and impartial review!. I too had looked at the CVP system and planned to purchase it when I had saved enough $$$ (they are a little more than others) but I found a Digitrax Zephyr for $77 on Ebay and couldn’t pass it up. I am very happy with the Digitrax and now feel that it was a better choice for me. I have since upgraded to a DT402D wireless throttle and rarely use the Zephyr console as I have a large layout.

Thanks for your time and interest in informing others of your experience.

-Bob

7

I have used CVP Easy DCC for the last 12 years or so. Several of my friends and I have the systems on our layouts. We operate on a regular basis using CVP. At the time I purchased the system (2002) CVP’S wireless was one of the most reliable out there. The others have since improved to the point where the difference is now negligible.

Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. I think of CVP as a no frills, rock solid, reliable system. I use the wireless system and have been very satisfied with its performance. CVP has great customer service if you should need it.

I would recommend that you join the CVP yahoo group to get info on any questions or issues that you might have with the system.

Guy

8

Thanks for the review Brad. Earl…