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DRS DCC - Wireless DCC with On-board Battery Power or Conventional Track based DCC or both!

New!  DRS Radio Throttle - Handheld Throttle for DRS Recievers - use for Dead Rail and Conventional DCC Track!

Skill Level: Advanced - requires equivalent knowledge of decoder and sound system installation in locomotives and understanding of batteries and battery charging

Our new DRS Radio Throttle (DRT) can be used both as Dead Rail Throttle or as a conventional DCC Throttle!  Each throttle is a mini DCC command station capable of consisting and programming - on the main or in service mode. By connecting a DRS receiver to the track you can run conventional DCC locomotives.  If you add a receiver and battery to the locomotive you can run it Dead Rail with no track power.  Up to 8 throttles can be used simultaneously all sharing the same frequency.  No setting of the radio is required - just turn on and go - the radios negotiate everything else.  Which train you run is determined by the DCC address as in any DCC system.

The DRS Base Station lets you power conventional track with your DRS Throttles.  You can also connect to a computer with JMRI.

A DRS Add-On Transmitter is available that will let you add-on a second DCC system or connect to a computer with JMRI.

Dead Rail Receivers Mk3.  The Mk3 is fully compatible with the MkII but can take higher voltages - up to 18V which allows the use of 4 cell 14.8V Li power packs.  It is also comptable with the original system but has a different wire arrangement on the receiver connector.  All the transmitters can be used with all the reeivers as long as they are the same frequency (i.e. all 916 or all 869).

Learn more about batteries and installation by visiting the Dead Rail System page.

Don't like to install your own decoders?  See the our list of installers.

Want more information?  See our Book on DRS

or buy the components below and go for it!
DRS DCC Radio Throttle

The DRS Radio Throttle (DRT) When paired with the DRS recievers, you can use to run a dead rail locomotive or a track-based layout.  Up to 8 throttles can be on at the same time - they will all share the same frequency.  Address decoding is done in the locomotive's DCC decoder as usual.  You can use it with either the small or large DRS1 reciever (see below).  If you connect the output of the receiver to your track, you can run conventional track-powered DCC locomotives.  Comes in two fequencies, 916 MHz (black case) or 869 MHz (white case). Make sure you get receivers of the same frquency.
DTR001 MSRP $105.95 $89.00 USD
Special Introductory Price!

Note: The DRS1 tranmitter (DTX021/022) is NOT compatible with the DRT as it does not have the new radio algorithm that allows channel sharing.
Camptable with SCAB decoders, CVT receivers on Ch16 and NCE D13DRJ decoder.

Choose frequency
DRS Multiplex Transmitter

DRS Throttle compatible transmitter for adding any DCC command station to a DRS throttle network

This transmitter takes a DCC signal and transmits it with the DRS Throttle protocal so that it will not interfere (as opposed to our old transmitter which is NOT compatible with the DRS Throttle).  With this transmitter you can use your old DCC command station to run DRS-receiver equipped locomotives.  You can also use it to connect up a computer by cnnecting up a computer-connected DCC command station such as an SPROG or NCE PowerCab.

DMT001 $69.00 MSRP

Choose frequency
quarter for size comparison - not included
DRS1 Receiver, 916.49 MHz, MkIII
Receives the wireless DCC signal and creates DCC on-board from a battery to replicate the DCC signal to an existing DCC locomotive decoder. Works with all DCC decoders including sound decoders that need 2.0 Amps or less. Replaces the wires from the wheels.Comes with wiring harness of 26 ga. flexible stranded wire. The antenna can be repositioned by bending to any shape that does not touch itself. There are 2 LED indicators: green indicates power and red indicates the signal strength. Receiver is 34mm x 18mm (1 5/16" x 3/4"). The unit is 4mm (5/16") thick. Maximum continuous current is 1.5A continuous, 2A peak.
Battery not included. 11.1V (3 cells) and 14.8V (cells) Lithium ion batteries work well (do not exceed 18V). Or use 3 portable phone NIMH batteries (9 cells) for 10.8V).  One advantage of the NIMH option is you can arrange to trickle charge them from the track.  On my personal layout I use trailing battery cars with 1000 mAh Lipo batteries for several hours of runtime.
Transmitter (see below) required.  Fullly compaticble with the older DRS1 916 MHz transmitter.
In this new version we have added reverse voltage protection, a longer flexible antenna for better reception, and larger wire in the wiring harness.
DRX021  $55.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery
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The DRS1 receiver is compatible with the CVP T5000 on channel 16. (Please confirm your unit has RF16 before ordering as older units do not.)
The DRS1 receiver works with all brands of DCC decoders.  Decoders can be programmed through the radio by connecting the transmitter to the service track (no read back), using programing on the main or use the T5000.
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Note: When removing the wiring harness be sure to pull gently on the plastic connector case with a pair of nippers or sharp tweezers - do not pull the wires or they will come off! Maximum voltage for the battery input is 18V DC - do not exceed! Connecting the battery backward will not do any harm but the unit will not work.
quarter for size comparison - not included
DRS1 Receiver, 869 MHz ("euro"), MkIII
This is the same receiver as the 916MHz version except that it operates on the 869 MHz "euro" ISM band and requires the 869 MHz transmitter.
DRX022  $55.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery
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The 869 MHz DRS1 receiver is NOT compatible with the CVP T5000.
The DRS1 receiver works with all brands of DCC decoders.  Decoders can be programmed through the radio by connecting the transmitter to the service track (no read back) or using programing on the main.
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Note: when removing the wiring harness be sure to pull gently on the plastic connector case with a pair of nippers or sharp tweezers - do not pull the wires or they will come off! Maximum voltage for the battery input is 30V DC - do not exceed! Connecting the battery backward will not do any harm but the unit will not work.
Dead Rail Installs
Installs and Complete Dead Rail Kits with ALL parts, as well as best source for LiPo battery packs specially built for Dead Rail. Also BlueRail Bluetooth Systems.

www.deadrailinstall.com

2604B Ell Camino Real, #370, Carlsbad, CA 92008 +1-760-943-0590

pete@deadrailinstalls.com


  

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Dimensions of the DRS1 receiver.  It will fit in HOn3 and up engines and tenders. For N scale it can fit in a boxcar on a slant.
     
DRS1 Hi Power up to 18 Volts and 5 Amps, 916MHz

We married the DRS1 receiver and our DCC booster and came up with the DRS1 Hi Power Receiver.  It can put out 3 Amps continuous and 5 Amps in bursts.  It can also take higher voltages, up to 28 volts.  We have had many requests for a receiver that can work with garden scale and here it is.  You will need either a DRS DCC Radio Throttles, a DRS1 tansmitter or a CVP T5000 on channel 16.
You can also use this unit as a remote booster to run accessories or regular DCC trains with.  In this use you can get around the DCC signal degradation problem common on wires over 30 feet long.  If the transmitter and receiver are mounted near the ceiling and no obstacles between, and given a typical antenna placement inside a plastic shell, this unit should work up to 100 feet from the transmitter.  There is a red LED that indicates signal strength on the board.  A bright LED indicates a strong signal and a dim LED indicates a barely receivable carrier wave.  The LED indicates the strength of the carrier signal (i.e useful radio energy) not the total amount of radio energy (i.e. interference).
DRH191  $119.95 $89.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery
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Dimensions: 2.7" long by 1.2" wide x 0.47" high
Battery Voltage (Vbat): 7 to 18 V  (5 Lipo cells or 15 NiMH)
Input Reverse Polarity Protected
Voltage Drop (Vdrop): 0.5V (low current) to 1.0V (high current)
Output: DCC (assuming DCC is being transmitted)
Outut Voltage: Vpeak-to-peak equal to Vbattery minus Vdrop
Current Max: ~3A continuous (depends on amount of ventilation) and 5.4A max for brief periods
Radio Frequency: 916.49 MHz
Max Range: 300 feet in ideal conditions with best antenna placement and no obstacles
DRS1 Hi Power up to 18 Volts and 5 Amps, 869MHz

This unit is identical to the one above except that it eceives on the 869 MHz "euro" band. It requires an 869 MHz transmitter.  Use these with the DRS DCC Radio Throttles or a DRS1 tranmitter.  It will not receive from the CVP T5000 or Stanton radio.
DRH186  $119.95 $89.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery

Same as above except 
Radio Frequency: 869.85 MHz
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Besides powering larger scale locomotives, the Hi Power is thin enough to fit inside an HO diesel or steam tender. You can power a multi-unit diesel consist or a large steam locomotive.  The pictures below show the Hi Power in my ABB City of San Francisco BLI E6's.  These units draw a lot of power especially when pulling a heavy train up a steep grade.  The 3rd B unit is a dummy and has a 4-cell LiPo battery in it.  Wires run through the consist from the receiver to power the 1st and 2nd units.  
Image: 
 

Transmitter for adding DCC to an existing DCC system


  
DRS1 Transmitter, 916.49 MHz, MkIII
Not compatible with DRS Throttle
Takes the DCC signal from your existing command station and puts it on the air to be picked up by the receiver(s) in your locomotive(s) (see above). Simply connect to the back of your command station to the rail outputs and place in the center of the room near the ceiling.  Use twisted pair or speaker cable for long runs (> 10 ft) back to the command station. Since the transmitter only draws 21 mA, the wire can be as small as 28 ga. Only one transmitter is needed for the entire layout. This device transmits low power radio frequencies on the Instrument-Scientific-Medical (ISM) band (also used by 900 MHz cordless phones) with a range of about 50 feet.
Dimensions are 79mm (3.125") 20mm (0.812") long by 15mm (0.635") thick. Input: DCC 5-30V peak-peak; uses 28 mA (.03A). Ouptut -4.3 dBm 916.49 MHz.
DTX021  $55.95 $45.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery
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This unit complies with FCC Rules Part 15 for Class B devices using the included antenna. 
Will interfere with another device that operates within ~0.5 MHz of this device.  So if you have another radio device in your train room check that it is on a different frequency.

Note: Make sure you do not have another device that transmits at 916.49 MHz - including NCE transmitters - in your train room.
DRS1 Transmitter, 869 MHz ("euro"), MkIII
Not compatible with DRS Throttle
This is the same transmitter as the 916 MHz version except that it operates on the 868 MHz "euro" ISM band and pairs with the 869 MHz receiver.  Will not work or interfere with the 916 MHz receiver.
DTX022  $55.95 $45.95 USD
Please allow 1-2 weeks for delivery
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I make no waranties as to the suitability or legaility of this unit in the USA or other countries.  However it puts out only enough power to be detectable over a short range so don't worry about putting other devices out of business.

Note: Make sure you do not have another device that transmits at 869.85 MHz. if you have an NCE radio tranmitter, then this frequency will NOT interfere with it.
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