Digitrax Zephyer Question

[twilight]

I am thinking of purchasing a Digitrax Zephyer system for a bookshelf layout I am going to build over the winter. My question is, can this system be used with a walk around throttle via the UP5 interface? Any other thoughts about this system would be apreciated, too.

Twilight

 

[Gary Pfeil]

With the UP5 you can then use any of the Digitrax hand helds, plugged in. To go wireless you need either the infra red (UR90) or the radio (UR91) receivers. The DT100, 300 and 400 come with IR, as well as the newer UT4, which I don't have (yet). Or buy the R versions for radio. I use the IR and am happy with it.

Gary

 

[tillsbury]

I can't help thinking I saw a really simple cheap home-brew throttle design for a Zephyr, because it has (in addition to the other interfaces) a weird Zephyr-specific one that you can make a very simple throttle for... I can't find it now though, anyone else remember seeing that?

Charles

 

[Gary Pfeil]

The Zephyr has two connections which you can use to utilize DC power pack throttles. You could also use them for any number of homemade throttles. I don't own a Zephyr, and haven't seen one, so I don't know much more about them.

Gary

 

[MasonJar]

I have a Zephyr, and we run with Digitrax of all sorts at the modulare club. I thin kthat everything said so far is right. The Zephyr can take "smooth" DC input (i.e. not set on "pulse") as a "jump throttle" (up to 2 of those). So presuably, it can take any sort of DC input, so if you've got old powerpacks, walk arounds, whatever in DC, you should be able to use them with the Zephyr.

Andrew

 

[twilight]

Maybe my post wasn't as quite as clear as I thought(I'm new with the DCC stuff). Would I be able to use my DT400 Digitrax Super Throttle with a Zephyer system?


Twilight

 

[Gary Pfeil]

Twilight, I'm pretty sure my first sentence above gave you that answer, which is yes. You can use it plugged in to the UP%. I went on to say you can't use it wireless without either the IR or radio receivers.

Gary

 

[twilight]

Thanks, Gary!!! :thumb:

 

[billwv]

Hi,

I use DT400 with Zephyr on my small shelf layout and am quite happy with that setup. The DT400 justs plugs directly into the Zephyr or into a throttle bus line jack.

Bill

 

[onceler]

If you are looking to purchase the DT400 w/ the Zephyr, you might want to think about the Empire Builder. With a small layout, it might be overkill, but if you are planning to upgrade in the future it might fit. I have been looking at the 2 and the Empire Builder is around the same price, or not that much more than a Zephyr + DT400.

 

[HoosierDaddy]

I can't help thinking I saw a really simple cheap home-brew throttle design for a Zephyr, because it has (in addition to the other interfaces) a weird Zephyr-specific one that you can make a very simple throttle for... I can't find it now though, anyone else remember seeing that?

Charles

Charles

Here is the home-made throttle that you may be thinking of. I haven't built one, but it looks interesting.

http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/zephyr-cab.htm

HD

 

[Gary Pfeil]

The one drawback to the Empire Builder, unless it's been changed, is that it doesn't allow readback of cv's. I would miss this feature, but then I program with my throttle, not a computer.

Gary