Click here for the PDF version of the Zephyr Manual

Zephyr’s DCS50 is approximately 7.25" wide, 5.5" deep (including rear connector), 2.75" high (including knobs).

All hook up is in the rear of the unit so, leave plenty of room for wires.

Note: Digitrax Zephyr Starter Sets does not include mobile decoders. There are a wide variety of DCC decoders available today and some are made to fit specific locomotives. Some decoders have more features and cost more money and some are less expensive with fewer features. Your Digitrax authorized dealer will be able to assist you in choosing the “right” decoder for your layout. Click here to visit our decoder selection pages.

Note: The PS315 Power Supply is made for the US and Canadian markets. The DCS50 can be used with any power supply that delivers 15V AC, 3Amps. If you are using DCS50 outside US and Canada, please order DCS50 alone and purchase the power supply locally.

Complete Manual Set (click here to download manuals): Zephyr Manual and Decoder Manual

Application Note: Using PM42 with Zephyr/DCS50

Zephyr Offers:

• Simple to use controls for running trains.

• Large speed control knob and direction switch with brake.

• Full numeric key pad.

• Easy 2 and 4 digit addressing.

• Smooth speed control.

Run multiple trains at once without blocking!

• Run up to 10 addresses at the same time on your system.

• Run up to 10 throttles at the same time on your system.

Jump Ports for using DC power packs as additional throttles

• Use one or two smooth DC power packs as throttles to control DCC equipped locomotives.

• Simple, cost effective way to add more throttles to your Zephyr set.

• Makes it easy to share the fun of DCC with layout visitors and young operators.

• Functions on locos controlled by Jump throttles remain active.

Over 9000 Locomotive Addresses

• Use Address 00 to run one or more locos without DCC decoders

• Two Digit Addressing is easy to use. (Address 01-127)

• Four Digit Addressing-use the number painted on your engines as its address.

2.5 Amps of Power to run multiple trains.

• Booster outputs 12V for safe operation in N and HO scales.

Function Control

• Control 10 functions-F0 through F8.

• Function 2 is a special non-latching key that can be used to sound the horn for as long as the key is held down.

• Constant brightness lighting. Headlights can be directional or independently controlled (depending on decoder).

Stationary Decoders, Turnout Control & Turnout Position Reporting

• Access to stationary decoder control for turnouts and other devices.

• Control 999 stationary decoder addresses.

Consisting

• Universal consisting, Digitrax preferred method. ALL locos can be consisted, even analog locos.

• Advanced consisting, allows only advanced consist capable mobile decoders.

• Basic consisting, program decoders to run on same address.

Decoder Programming

• Built in read/write programmer that can read and write all CVs.

• Supports Paged programming (Digitrax preferred method). Also supports direct & register mode programming.

• Operations mode programming can be used to program decoders on the layout.

Expandability with Digitrax LocoNet

• Use Zephyr as a starting point for your Digitrax LocoNet System, then add components.

• Use Zephyr as an expansion set with Digitrax equipment you already have installed.

• Add Radio or IR via LocoNet. Just plug in a UR90 or UR91 receiver and add IR and/or Radio throttles.

Here’s just one example of the customer “reviews” we’ve been getting!

"Howdy all, Quick report on my new Zephyr,

It came in on Friday and I eagerly dived to install it. As a person that has never touched DCC, just read about it, I was a bit trepidatious but it couldn’t have been easier to get going. Two wires and I was running an analog E7 loco…  Two minutes later I had popped a decoder in an Athearn Genesis Mikado (wonderful..didn’t even have to disassemble the tender.. could just remove the plug and slide it in through the front) and was running moments later. Five minutes later I had added the MRC transformer to the JUMP port and was, for the fist time, running two trains independently on this layout! Before the weekend was out we were also running a 440 and 10-44!

For those fearing to take the plunge..  Do it! My seven year old and I are running trains like crazy and he has no problems operating the system. I hate to think of trying to teach him to run a complicated block system; but by controlling the train instead of the track it’s all very natural to him. He also thinks the acceleration and deceleration curves are cool.. though he’s still keeping one hand close to the power button in case he gets confused.

[signed] Tom"