The Digitrax UP6Z does two jobs at once. It is a LocoNet universal panel with six jacks for plugging throttles and daisy-chaining LocoNet around the layout, and it is a 3 amp voltage reducer that drops track voltage by 4 or 6 volts. Z scale motors were never built for full HO track voltage, and that reduction is what keeps them running at sane speeds and sane temperatures on Digitrax equipment.
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Why does Z scale need reduced voltage?
A standard DCC booster puts out track voltage suited to HO and larger. Z scale motors run hot and far too fast on that. Dropping 4 to 6 volts brings the top speed and the motor temperature back to something sensible.
Do I choose 4 V or 6 V?
It depends on your booster output and how your locomotives behave. Start with the smaller reduction, check top speed and motor temperature, and increase it if the trains still run too fast.
Can I use it on an HO layout?
Yes, as a plain universal panel with six LocoNet jacks. The voltage reduction is the feature you would not need there - if HO is all you run, a UP7 is the simpler choice.
How many amps will it pass?
Three amps, which is ample for a Z scale layout - Z locomotives draw a fraction of what larger scales pull.
