Model Railroading > NCE - Digitrax Compatibility

Anyone have any experience or problems using an NCE command station/power supply with Digitrax components such as the PM42 or BDL168's? How about the cab buss / Loconet? (not interested in transponding)

Thx

Have been in DCC since 1999, I use NCE and have never tried to mix with other brands. It is my understanding the only real area of compatibilty is in the decoders, as any brand will pretty much program and run on any system. Other than that, I do know some have used boosters of different brands, but the cab buss, cabs, etc. are unique to the brand name.

Bob

I've had several problems with Digitrax decoders on my NCE system, mostly with consisting issues, and no longer will purchase their components. I've replaced all my Digitrax decoders in recent months to avoid more potential problems. One thing to keep in mind is that NCE equipment closely follows the NMRA standards for compatibility, while Digitrax is not so diligent about adhering to these standards. While in most cases this should not be an issue, there may be some areas where the Digitrax component doesn't function properly on NMRA compliant systems, but has no problems on Digitrax's proprietary design, which often deviates from the very standards that were enacted to protect us from incompatibility problems - a set of standards that established a market which provided Digitrax with a customer base.

SWSF,

Just got off the phone with 2 people I know that have fairly large layouts using NCE. I was pretty sure they were using Digitrax decoders. One layout is 85% Digitrax decoders and the other one is 75% Digitrax decoders. I wanted to inquire if they had been having any problems using their Digitrax decoders with their NCE systems. Answer from both - "They work great with zero problems". I also specifically asked about consisting. You drink too much NCE Koolaid. Put the cup down and step away from the table.

Bruce

PS - The so called "proprietary" Digitrax bus, called "Loconet" is no more "proprietary" then the NCE bus. There are many 3rd party products that have been built by other companies for Digitrax loconet. So I guess your premise SWSF is incorrect.

There are 3rd party Loconet products for detection, signaling, fast clocks to name a few. Here's the link that is posted on Digitrax's website. Some of these even compete with Digitrax's own products. I have been installing block detection on my layout using Digitrax's new BDL168. Works great and plugs right into the loconet. I also installed Digitrax's SE8C to light my B&O signals. Plugs into the loconet and works great. Finally I installed Railroad & Co's TrainController software for dispatching. I plugged my computer right into the loconet and the TrainController software can run both detection and signalling. Sweet and easy. Loconet..................Ethernet. Hmmmmmmmmmmmm. Yup.

http://www.digitrax.com/faqloconetq.php


swsf Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I've had several problems with Digitrax decoders
> on my NCE system, mostly with consisting issues,
> and no longer will purchase their components. I've
> replaced all my Digitrax decoders in recent months
> to avoid more potential problems. One thing to
> keep in mind is that NCE equipment closely follows
> the NMRA standards for compatibility, while
> Digitrax is not so diligent about adhering to
> these standards. While in most cases this should
> not be an issue, there may be some areas where the
> Digitrax component doesn't function properly on
> NMRA compliant systems, but has no problems on
> Digitrax's proprietary design, which often
> deviates from the very standards that were enacted
> to protect us from incompatibility problems - a
> set of standards that established a market which
> provided Digitrax with a customer base.

Hi!

> Just got off the phone with 2 people I know that
> have fairly large layouts using NCE.


Experienced modelers choose TCS decoders


http://www.tcsdcc.com/

Don't scoff until you try one! :-)


TB

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Happy TCS user.

I have several TCS decoders and can speak well of them also. I also use their scale speedometer product on the layout. Helps keep the crews running at the right speeds. The TCS boys live about 30 minutes from my house.

Bruce

brfriedm Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> SWSF,
>
> Just got off the phone with 2 people I know that
> have fairly large layouts using NCE. I was pretty
> sure they were using Digitrax decoders. One layout
> is 85% Digitrax decoders and the other one is 75%
> Digitrax decoders. I wanted to inquire if they had
> been having any problems using their Digitrax
> decoders with their NCE systems. Answer from both
> - "They work great with zero problems". I also
> specifically asked about consisting. You drink too
> much NCE Koolaid. Put the cup down and step away
> from the table.
>
> Bruce

It makes no matter to me what your friend's experiences are, I had problems with at least eight Digitrax decoders before I abandoned them. Early on I received a batch of 4 that all had the same problem due to programming issues that would have been detected had the decoder design been submitted for NMRA DCC conformance testing. After inquiring at Digitrax about the problem I was told by AJ himself in a public forum that I was too inept to program the decoders correctly, so it was all my fault, not his. Further testing by a few Digitrax users identified the problem and they were corrected on subsequent deliveries of that decoder. AJ never apologized, nor admitted fault.

I have almost 100 locos with decoders, mostly NCE, SystemOne and Lenz. I've had only eight decoders fail (other than the problem mentioned above). Seven have been Digitrax decoders. Mostly they started acting erratically, refusing commands, or losing their programming, especially when set up in an advanced consists. No Lenz or NCE decoders have failed, and only one a first generation SystemOne decoder that was almost 10 years old.

So, contrary to the experiences your friends have had, I am not so favorable towards Digitrax decoders. Too many problems, and too much arrogance from the company. I don't appreciate being insulted in public by a company, especially if it concerns a problem they are responsible for.

I don't think I drink too much NCE Koolaid, although it tastes good enough to me. However, I certainly don't drink from tainted cups, whatever the beverage is :-)