Digitrax Zephyr Track Voltage

[diburning]

I have a Digitrax Zephyr and the track voltage is (factory set?) at 12 volts. When I put a sound equipped unit on the main (Tsunami), the zephyr detects it as a short. To make it work, I had to take the engine off and putting it on over and over again until the engine started up and the zephyr stopped detecting it as a short.

I think it's probably the 12 volt track voltage. The engine probably uses quite a bit of the 12 volts which causes the zephyr to think it's a short.

Also, I use a tethered DT402R with the zephyr for programming and operations (I am used to using a DT400 series throttle for programming and operations). and the zephyr only gives the throttle 8.5 volts of power.

The model railroad club that I belong to has an average 14 volts track power and 14 volts to the throttle when plugged in.

Is there a way to increase track voltage on the zephyr? Would that solve my shorting problem?

 

[UP2CSX]

Something is not right. The Zephyr should always give you at least 14 volts of power. At 12 volts, the control station will think there's a short. What is the actual voltage measured at the two track terminals on the back of the Zephyr? If it's between 14 and 16 volts, the controller is working right and there's a problem in your wiring somewhere. If the voltage at the terminals is only 12 volts, there's something wrong with the power supply of the Zephyr. Is this the Zephyr I sold you? Except for the problem with the DC power circuit not working correctly and showing a short, the DCC voltage was always around 15 volts at the terminals.

 

[diburning]

yes, this is the zephyr that you sold me.

The track status shows 12 volts. I haven't actually measured it yet though.

 

[UP2CSX]

OK, but what is the voltage coming out of the terminals on the back of the controller? You need to measure this. We have to determine if you're not getting enough voltage from the controller or just at the tracks.