I am expanding the existing layout (shown at the top) with a new section that will be 150 to 175 inches of flex track and turnouts.
I currently use a Digitrax Zephyr on the old layout and it is, of course, wired to the connections on that old section.
I would like to add a Digitrax remote controller to enable me to move about the entire layout room and control both the old and new sections with the remote but also have the Zephyr still enabled. Is that possible with Digitrax products?
I am also emailing Digitrax for advice, but like to get forum members advice as well.
Additionally, I expect I will need some kind of power booster for all this new track. Will I need one or more and is there a tip on which models are best. I know nothing about them.
Thanks for any input
(I know the layout plan still has some oddities…still working on that though. I haven’t labelled the two liftouts that will give me access to the far areas, or the margins of the layout table. )
Buy a UR91 or UR92 (Both are radio interface panels) and DT402R (UR91) or DT402D (UR92). Both will give you freedom for movement, but the UR92/DT402D combo is a full duplex system (you will not have to plug in to acquire your loco).
I have a Zephyr and have added wireless. It is really easy to do, just purchase a wireless panel, there are 3 options for this, and a wireless throttle. As can be seen from the above posts, you need to make sure that your throttle is compatible with the appropriate wireless panel, as Digitrax has more than one wireless type.
The UR90 panel is infra red. I used this for some time quite successfully but the throttle needs to have line of sight. Any of the Digirax throttles will work with this panel as they all have IR as standard.
The UR91 is the older simplex radio system. In addition to that you need a throttle that ends with R so an older DT400R or the new DT402R and the UT4R would all be compatible. You have to plug in to acquire a locomotive.
The UR92 is the new duplex throttle (no plug in needed) and it works with the DT402D and the UT4D throttles.
In all cases, all you do is run a loconet cable from the Zephyr to the panel and attach the appropriate power supply to the panel, and you have yourself a wireless system.
Finally, if cost is a consideration and wireless is not critical, you can simply add a UP5 panel or two and use a tethered throttle like the DT400, DT402 or UT4. These just plug into the panels, and you can disconnect them and move around the layout and plug into another panel and resume control of the loco. Again, these just daisy chain using the loconet cables.
It is really easy to expand the Zephyr, just plug in the new components and away you go.
Regarding the booster question, that may not be needed. It all depends on how many locos you want to run at once. I would start by running a new power bus under the new section and make sure it is well connected with feeders to the track. In the first instance I would just connect this bus to the existing layout power bus and run the whole thing off the Z. If it turns out you need a booster, then break the two sections apart, put a DB150 booster on the new section and link it to the Z with the loconet cables. The Z would still remain the command station.
Unless you are planning to run a lot more locos simultaneously than you did before, you won’t need an extra power booster. Just don’t skimp on the wire size so you don’t end up with voltage drop problems. Physical size of the layout is only related to power consumption in a roundabout way - a physically larger layout can handle more trains running on it, but if you don’t actually run more trains, you don’t need more power. An 8x10 layout with 10 locomotives running at the same time needs more power than a 20x30 layout with just 2.
In extreme cases a booster might be necessary just to prevent voltage drop - an extreme example being something like a 20x100 foot layout - even with just 2 or 3 locos running, and even using #12 wire as the main bus, you could have voltage drop problems - assuming it’s a 20x100 ‘donut’ shape, with no wires crossing through the middle, your wire runs would be approximately 120 feet in each direction. Better to add an additional booster or two and keep the wire runs shorter even though you don’t ‘need’ the extra amps.
I have expanded my Digitrax system by buying on Ebay. You have a Zepher which can remain your command station. If you need more power look for an Empire Builder set on Ebay. The empire builder comes with a DB150 which you can use as a booster and you will also get a throttle, usually DT400 with the set. I picked up two DT400 cheep on Ebay and sent them to Digitrax to be upgraded to DT402D.
I still have the DCS100 command station that I purchased over ten years ago, 2 DT100R, 2 DT300R, 2 DT402D and one UT4D in use on the layout. I did not buy these all at once but added on as I needed to expand. I also have a MS100 (Desktop PC) and PR3 (Laptop PC) computer interface, with Decoder Pro Software (FREE) you can use you computer to program decoders and as a throttle to run trains on your layout.
I would agree that wireless is the best way to go.
Yes, thanks. That is an interesting way to expand.
I have been using PR3 and Decoder Pro for a number of years now, but I don’t really want to use my laptop for a throttle…Looks like that Digitrax infrared setup will be the cat’s meow!
It most certainly is the least expensive way to add wireless. You would more than likely be able to pick up a used UR90 on the cheap on eBay as folks upgrade to the new Duplex. As I said above, I ran the IR for quite some time with some success, but please be aware of its limitations as some folks really do not like it very much.
You really do need line of sight for the throttle to work well. By that I mean actually pointing the throttle end towards the UR90. In my case I placed it up high and it was not too much of an issue for me, but make no mistake, it is directional, just like TV IR remotes.
With the UR90 you must plug into the loconet to acquire a locomotive. The UR90 has a loconet jack on the front, or you might want to add some UP5 panels as well for convenience.
Number of functions is limited to F0-F8, so if you are running sound and want to use more functions the UR90 can only transmit the first 8 even though the throttle may have more, (Note when plugged in the full number of throttle functions are available.
Anyway, I just want to be sure you understand what the IR solution can and can not do,
I’d look hard at the radio options. Looking at the layout plan; for infrared, you would need at least two UR90’s. Maybe three depending on obstructions. That would bring the cost of the IR receivers up in the area of one radio panel. Any currently offered Digitrax item (and the older products too) will work with your Zephyr. Just connect a loconet cable and enjoy.
Assumign the laptop has wireless in it, if you have an iPod Touch, iPhone, or Android phone you can use that as an RF wireless throttle with JMRI as the intermediary. Very slick. I have 2 apps on my iPhone I paid money for - and the WiThrottle app is one of them.
It’s probably actually cheaper to buy an iPod Touch than to get a DT402D and UR92 - although there is no programmign capability or anything with the WiThrottle app, it’s strictly a train controlling device.
Along with $1700 worth of tracklaying materials I have just added the DT402D and UR92 to my order with NWRS store in Surrey, British Columbia. I am quite excited to get this radio system up and running, but it will be a while until the new track is laid.
Hope you all are right about not needing a power booster for the additon of 225 feet of track…I didn’t order one, because I will be running only 2 locos at most at once.
The need for a booster is determined by the number of trains and lighted cars on the layout, not by the amount of track.
If you want to protect individual sections of track independently you can get the benefits of short circuit management and auto reversing without adding more boosters by using PM-42s at far less cost!
Well yes and no. Eventually the layout can get so large that even #12 bus wires have substantial voltage drop. In which case the only answer is a second booster, even if the total nmber of runnign locos doesn’t exceed the capacity of the first one.
Well that’s new, the UR91 does not come with the power supply. If the UR92 has the PS14 included, it’s actually a BETTER deal than the UR91, UR91 + PS14 would cost MORE than the UR92.
