I still like that style more than a handheld unit. Driving the locomotive is very intuitive. My hobby store sold out very quickly, so they do seem popular. It could be the price that is attractive for an entry level unit. I'm still considering getting one.
To be honest any DCC controller that’s less than £200 isn’t really going to be much good, apart from as a basic entry to DCC. This one is still considered ‘entry level’, but I’ve been DCC for nearly 2 years and I’d definitely class this as a ‘pro’ controller, as it’s got lots of expansion potential. Highly recommend it.
I have the Digitrax Zephyr express DCS52. This controller has a "steal" locomotive function. Somehow, I managed to engage this function, and now I have three locomotives that I can not run unless I "steal" them. Could you tell me how I could disengage this function? You can't contact the company, and their help desk is of no help, and their tech support site has nothing on disengaging the steal function. I found nothing on engaging or disengaging the steal function on their manuals. Thanks.
The best thing to do is probably press the reset button on the back of the controller. The controller thinks that the address you’re selecting is already in use by another throttle. There’s also a chance that you have two locomotives with the same address and this may have triggered steal mode, or you may have inadvertently given them the same address. Make sure also that your DCC power bus is connected to ‘rail A and rail B’ and not ‘prog A and prog B’. Hope this helps.
@@chrisderby986 I guess it doesn't if you have a power strip with on/off switch. But if not, you have to leave it on even when not running trains. Seems wasteful.
@@klyddkross that's what the on/off switch on the plug socket is for though no? When I'm not running trains I either leave it switched on if I'm out in the garage with the layout, but most of the time it's all switched off
@@chrisderby986 Still... what if your running direct power to outlet?! Your just out of luck right? I own the DCS 52 and I like it, I was just making a clear observation that if you run it STRAIGHT to your wall outlet, you can't turn it off.
@@klyddkross wall outlets in the UK have an on/off switch, so nothing to worry about there. The wall outlet my DCS52 is plugged into has my fiddle yard CDU plugged into it too
Hi, I've been looking for a DCC controller for some time, and hadn't considered this one until your video. I think it's a great controller. Can I check if any decoders work with this system.
As far as I’m aware any decoder will work with this system yes. I use mostly DCC Concepts Zen Black decoders, but I have a couple of Bachmann and a Gaugemaster decoder too and they all work fine with it. This controller has only been out for around 12-18 months, and I’m pretty sure you can update the firmware, so it should be good for all decoders
@@michaelcunneen2665 they sure do! All makes of decoder should work with it. I don’t currently have any Hornby decoders in any of my locos, but my turntable is controlled by a Hornby loco decoder and that works fine
How do I adjust the horn volume etc on this? I have a HO scale Later Phase F40PH from rapido and the volume is quiet compared to the other ones i have. Thanks!
I have the older DCS 51 and love it. Will. Upgrade to the DCS. 52 and then use my 51 as an extra controller.
I still like that style more than a handheld unit. Driving the locomotive is very intuitive. My hobby store sold out very quickly, so they do seem popular. It could be the price that is attractive for an entry level unit. I'm still considering getting one.
To be honest any DCC controller that’s less than £200 isn’t really going to be much good, apart from as a basic entry to DCC. This one is still considered ‘entry level’, but I’ve been DCC for nearly 2 years and I’d definitely class this as a ‘pro’ controller, as it’s got lots of expansion potential. Highly recommend it.
Would like to see the Recall button used. No need to constantly type in loco numbers.
I have the Digitrax Zephyr express DCS52. This controller has a "steal" locomotive function. Somehow, I managed to engage this function, and now I have three locomotives that I can not run unless I "steal" them. Could you tell me how I could disengage this function? You can't contact the company, and their help desk is of no help, and their tech support site has nothing on disengaging the steal function. I found nothing on engaging or disengaging the steal function on their manuals. Thanks.
The best thing to do is probably press the reset button on the back of the controller. The controller thinks that the address you’re selecting is already in use by another throttle. There’s also a chance that you have two locomotives with the same address and this may have triggered steal mode, or you may have inadvertently given them the same address. Make sure also that your DCC power bus is connected to ‘rail A and rail B’ and not ‘prog A and prog B’. Hope this helps.
Can this control multiple trains independently or is that a more advanced system
I am new to DCC , would this work ok with Hornby DCC trains?
Yes, it’s compatible with any DCC locomotives
So, it doesn't have a power on/off switch? I see the track power switch, but how do you shut the whole system off??
No it doesn’t. But does it really need one? With the track power off it’s pretty much shut down anyway.
@@chrisderby986 I guess it doesn't if you have a power strip with on/off switch. But if not, you have to leave it on even when not running trains. Seems wasteful.
@@klyddkross that's what the on/off switch on the plug socket is for though no? When I'm not running trains I either leave it switched on if I'm out in the garage with the layout, but most of the time it's all switched off
@@chrisderby986 Still... what if your running direct power to outlet?! Your just out of luck right? I own the DCS 52 and I like it, I was just making a clear observation that if you run it STRAIGHT to your wall outlet, you can't turn it off.
@@klyddkross wall outlets in the UK have an on/off switch, so nothing to worry about there. The wall outlet my DCS52 is plugged into has my fiddle yard CDU plugged into it too
Hi, I've been looking for a DCC controller for some time, and hadn't considered this one until your video. I think it's a great controller. Can I check if any decoders work with this system.
As far as I’m aware any decoder will work with this system yes. I use mostly DCC Concepts Zen Black decoders, but I have a couple of Bachmann and a Gaugemaster decoder too and they all work fine with it. This controller has only been out for around 12-18 months, and I’m pretty sure you can update the firmware, so it should be good for all decoders
@@chrisderby986 thank you. Just ordered one now, thank you for the video, it helped so much. Looking forward to the next update. All the best.
@@kayneromano383 you’re welcome!
@@chrisderby986 do Hornby decoders work with the digitracks?
@@michaelcunneen2665 they sure do! All makes of decoder should work with it. I don’t currently have any Hornby decoders in any of my locos, but my turntable is controlled by a Hornby loco decoder and that works fine
How do I adjust the horn volume etc on this? I have a HO scale Later Phase F40PH from rapido and the volume is quiet compared to the other ones i have. Thanks!
That will be in the settings on your decoder