Comparing 5 Amp DCC Sets
These are the Mainstay of Model Railroading
- Five Amp sets have enough power for many layouts.
They can also be expanded with boosters. One club I belong to, in
its early days of DCC, was running 16 HO locos on the mainline during
an open house when the single 5 amp Super Chief shut down.
- They are safe for properly wired HO or smaller layouts
- They provide enough oomph for layouts up to O.
- Look for the Check Mark
,
that’s Mr. DCC’s way of showing which set has an advantage,
either in his opinion or demonstrably. The total number of check
marks is shown for each set.
| Manufacturer | Lenz | Digitrax | NCE | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Set 090 Version 3.6 |
Set 100 Version 3.6 |
Super Empire Builder Xtra (4) | Super Chief Xtra | Power House Pro |
| Amp rating (1) | 5 amps | 5 amps | 5 amps | ||
| Independent testing Amps | Shutdown at 5 amps 4 amp continuous operation |
Shutdown above 4.5 amps | Shutdown above 6 amps |
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| Photo |  |
 |
 |
 |
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| Number of Checks
|
12 | 12 | 7 | 8 | 11 |
| What Mr. DCC likes about this system |
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| What Mr. DCC dislikes about this system |
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| Retail Price | $299.95 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$399.95 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$355 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$455 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$529.95 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
| Recommended Power Supply | MF615 for 110 volt mains | MF615 for 110 volt mains | MF615 for 110 volt mains |
||
| Loco Addresses | 1 to 9999 | 1 to 9983 | 0 to 9999 |
||
| Run a Loco without a decoder | Yes |
Yes, except in Germany | No | ||
| Max. # of Throttles | 31 | 22 | 120 |
63 | |
| Throttle Network | XpressNET | LocoNet (3) |
CabBus | ||
| Computer Interface | LI101F or LIUSB | PR3 or LocoBufferUSB | RS232 Included |
||
| Loco Roster | 127 short + 128 long | 22 | 120 | 250 |
|
| MU Capabilities without changing decoder values | 2 locos (Double Heading) |
Limited by Loco
Roster |
Limited by Loco Roster |
||
| Accessory addresses | 999 | 1024 |
999 | 999 | |
| Turnout Routes | 0 | 0 | 32 | 200 |
|
| Software Upgrades | User | Factory (3) | User | ||
| Warranty | 10 Years |
1 Year | 1 Year | ||
| Internal Battery | No |
No |
Yes | Yes | |
| NMRA Compliance | 2003-01 |
2003-02 |
Not Tested | 2005-011 |
|
| Layout Feedback | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Track Volts | 11 to 22, 1/2 volt
steps |
N=12, HO=15, O/G=18 | 9.5 to 18 volts | ||
| Track Volt Adjust | Throttle |
Front Panel Switch | Internal knob | ||
| Overload Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Short Protection | Keystroke Reset | Beep with Auto
Reset |
Auto Reset | ||
| Fast Clock | No | Yes |
Yes |
||
| Bi-Directional Communications | NMRA Standard |
Digitrax Transponding |
Coming Soon | ||
| Common Rail Wiring | Yes |
Optional - Factory Order | Yes |
||
| Direct Home Wiring | Yes | Yes | Yes | ||
| Decoder Programming | Read & Write |
Write Only See (4) below |
Read & Write |
Read & Write |
|
| One-Step to Set long Address | Yes |
No | Yes |
||
| Bit Programming | Yes
|
No | On the Main | ||
| Throttle Included | Single Knob LH090 | Push Button LH100 | Dual Knob & Push Button DT402 |
Knob & Push Button ProCab; Ergonomics rate |
|
| Functions Supported | LH090 F0 - F28 |
LH100 F0 - F28 |
DT400: F0 - F28 |
ProCab F0 - F28 |
|
| Functions Single Button Press |
LH090: F0 - F8 |
LH100: F0 - F8 |
DT400: F0 - F12 |
ProCab: F0 - F9 |
|
| Momentary Functions | Set up Individual locos for
any |
Default F2 set up any; all locos the same |
horn button = F2 + set up any; all locos the same |
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Wireless Options |
|||||
| Manufacturer | Lenz | Digitrax | NCE | ||
| Infrared Upgrade | Not Available | Add UR90 Receiver | Not Available | ||
| Minimum recommended Radio Upgrade |
XPA plus your cordless telephone. LA152 and XD make the connection easier SOON TO BE PHASED OUT |
UT4D throttle plus UR92 receiver | Cab04pr Throttle Plus RB01 Receiver | ||
| Radio Throttle Upgrade | Not Available | Factory | Litchfield Station |
||
| Radio Set | Not Available as a Set.Upgrade as above only |
Super Empire Builder Duplex Radio Xtra |
Super Chief Duplex Radio Xtra |
Power Pro Radio | |
| Programming | Write Only See (4) below |
Read & Write | Read & Write | ||
| Photo |  |
|
 |
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| Retail Price | $575 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$665 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
$699.95 CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR PRICE |
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Compare Other DCC Set Options:
NOTE: (1) The number of locos which may be RUNNING at any given time is limited by the Track Current capability of the boosters supplying the power district where they are operating. The Loco roster is the maximum number of different loco addresses which the command station will remember at one time. When you DISPATCH a loco, you remove it from this memory. When you SELECT a loco, you add it to this memory.
NOTE: (2) This data is assembled from many sources and is as accurate as I can make it. Please report any inaccuracies. Much of this data is NOT published by the manufacturers and had to come from personal experience. Litchfield Station will not be liable for errors or omissions.
NOTE: (3) LocoNet is a Digitrax proprietary network not unlike Ethernet. It allows peer-to-peer communication. This communication precludes the need for many command station upgrades when new accessories are released. The accessories can tell the command station what it is and how to deal with it.
NOTE: (4) We at Litchfield Station do NOT RECOMMEND the Super Empire Builder series of sets from Digitrax. They lack a programming track connection. What this means for you is that you run a very high risk of unintentionally reporgramming all your locos, since this set uses a broadcast write - changing the CV of every loco on the layout. Also, because of this limitation, you cannot read what you have written into your decoder, so all your programming is in the blind.