If you have a Chief, there is no need for another DCS100. If you need additional boosters for more track power, you can use the DB150 or DB200+, which are less expensive. However, some people like to use a second DCS100 as a slave booster so they will have a spare command station in case the master DCS100 needs factory servicing.

Besides the scale switch, the DCS100 has a voltage trim pot inside to facilitate matching voltages between it and other boosters. This insures there will be no loco speed up/slow down when crossing power district gaps - providing you have adequate wiring.

The DCS100 uses a button battery to maintain memory when power is turned off. There are two wells for button batteries, so you can do a "hot" battery change without loosing memory content. Battery life is about one year with power to the system turned off. But, if leaving power turned on for the sleep mode, battery life is greatly extended - probably to almost shelf life: ours is now over five years old.

When power is first applied to the DCS100, it checks the battery level. When it senses the battery level getting low, it will beep seven times as a warning. At this point you still have a few days to get a new battery. Since it only checks battery power when power is applied, it's a good idea to turn power to the DCS100 off and back on occasionally to force this test. Likewise, if you leave it turned off extensively, turn it on occasionally for this test.

The DCS 100 booster requires a power supply with a minimum of five amps. Refer to the Power Supply page for information about voltage needs.

The DCS100 provides many features.

• Configurable command station to work the way you want it to work
• Control of up to 120 trains at one time with up to 120 throttles at one time
• 14, 28, and 128 speed step control can all operate simultaneously
• Two- and four-digit addressing
• Analog loco(s) control
• Decoder-Assisted Consisting
• Unlimited MU consisting with ANY decoder, even without a decoder (yes, consist analog to decoder)
• Control of turnouts: up to 999 of them
• Memory, Positive and Exact turnout feedback
• Route programming
• LocoNet™ throttle Network can be up to 2000 feet long
• LocoNet is a true peer-to-peer throttle network with distributed intelligence to provide smoother operation
• LocoNet allows expansion for other devices (without having to add additional bus wires) such as:
• turnout feedback
• multiple computer interfacing
• block detection
• signaling
• wall mounted fast clocks
• LocoNet is open ended to allow for expansion of new technology and features when the become available
• Operations mode programming
• All forms of Service-Mode Read/Write Programming
• Separate programming track output eliminates possibility of accidentally reprogramming all locos.
• Programming track use without stopping the layout
• Programming by computer through the DCS100
• Brake generator, for stopping at red signals
• Märklin Motorola Trinary decoder control for those who have Märklin and wish to switch to DCC
• Overload and Short-Circuit Protection
• One-year warranty