Folks, I have a O gauge layout, I control with MTHs DCS system. The system allows me to dedicate channels that only put AC on the track, to run conventional trains. 1) Could I put AC, on the track, using that system, put a DCC decoder, in a loco, and run DCC++? 2) if the answer to 1, is yes, can DCC signal be put on the same tracks using DCS signal? Thanks Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I'm pretty sure feeding AC to a DCC decoder won't do much for it but maybe 'let the smoke out' (fry it). No DCC decoder will feed AC to a locomotive's AC motor.
Thanks acpulsa. O gauge motors can run DC. I'm pretty sure the AC is converted to DC, for the motor. Also, I thought DCC signal was basically AC. There are many options, for running O gauge, on pure DCC layout. Since DCS TMCC and LionChief and RC, run together, I was hoping to mix in DCC, as it is the least expensive option, to convert old locos. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Whether a motor can run AC or not does not depend on how far apart the wheels sit. It depends on whether it's an AC motor or a DC motor. O gauge locomotives vary in that regard. To run a locomotive with an AC motor, you need a control board that can feed a motor AC. I've never heard of a DCC board that can do it. I believe that's part of the reason Lionel/MTH devised their own system. 'Basically AC' does not guarantee compatibility. I doubt anyone quite understands what you mean by 'feeding the track AC and running DCC'. To run DCC, you need to feed the track the DCC signal-encoded power. As I understand it (no guarantees), the flipping of polarity is at least part of the way the signal is encoded. The DCC board may be able to rectify the stuff to feed it to the motor, but that doesn't mean it will do anything if it isn't getting instructions. So, you put a DCS board that speaks German in a locomotive (or whatever you want to call its particular code language), and you feed it a DCC signal speaking Japanese, or some simple AC which isn't speaking any language at all (just making white noise at 60 cycles per second) and you expect what, exactly, to happen? Remember, Lionel bought out MTH, so DCS, TMCC and LC are all produced by the same corporation, and DCC has no ties to it. The short answer to your question is no. And I strongly urge you to check to see if a motor is AC or DC before connecting a control circuit to it.
Ahh, you put a similar, yet differently worded question on the site in a different location. Now I see it here. He's right, no. In DCC, you have a square wave that changes, the changes are the "data" / "commands".... so non-changing AC would not carry the DCC signal. DCS is a system that changes the power on the rails in a different way. In fact there is an analogy, in that DCC is very much like FM radio, and DCS is sort of similar to a different type of radio... you can't mix them on the rails. The bottom line here is that the power on the rails also is "modulated" to carry the instructions to the locos, and you cannot mix the DCC and DCS techniques on the same power. Greg p.s. AC motors can usually be made to run on DC easily, done all the time. http://cs.trains.com/ctt/f/95/t/134739.aspx
Thanks folks. I think the solution will be the DCC++ hat, that handles 5A and a power supply. Hopefully something I own can act as the power supply. It's time to start selling all the redundant stuff soon!
Sound similar to Märklin® from Germany. DCC wise they try to be a bit different from the rest. But have a look at the manual of ESU's Lokpilot v 4 (available in English on their web site) about how they use AC & its required specs for some of their decoders. Some of their decoders can go from AC (analog) to DCC and back automatically on the fly. The decoder can be set to automatically detect which system is been used or set for DCC only. If MTH is similar to Märklin® (AC & pulse to change direction) maybe have a look at it.
Pieter, In O gauge, there is a switch on the loco, to go back and forth between DCC and DCS (on Protosound 3 Locos). I'm not sure how they handle HO. If the HO is any whee near as nice as O, they are worth a look
kmcsjr Märklin® is a 3 rail system and on the older trains a relay to pulse the change of direction. On some of them you had to change the magnet of the motor when installing DCC. Seems on the new models the decoder comes standard and can just like the DC versions be set to automatically detect if it is on DCC or AC or AC be switched off. Some of the latest models even include some of the DCC functions when on AC/DC. Details wise on the bodies they were for years behind the other European firms but has caught up and even surpass on some levels. Work through Google images, eBay and shops selling Märklin to compare level off detail to O (which they also produce) although some model are quite expensive. Or even go for their Gauge 1.
