Real cost of DC to DCC upgrades?

Osiris87 Feb 29, 2020

  1. Osiris87

    Osiris87 New Member

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    It seems that the search function isn't working on the forum so I'm starting here. If anyone can send me to a resource that has already answered this question, please do so. I don't like redundancy in forum topics.

    In a nutshell, I'm getting back into model railroading and have never ran anything except DC locos. I'm starting small, but plan to expand in the future, but don't have copious amounts of expendable income to get started. So my question is this: Is it cheaper in terms of money to buy DC or DCC Ready locos and upgrade them to DCC later on your own? I understand that it can be time consuming, but I have more free time than money. My intention is to begin with a DC setup and upgrade in the future when finances allow, but if I can buy one loco now that I can upgrade in the future that would be preferable. Also, my intention with DCC is as basic as it can be. I want independent control of locos on the same track and realistic throttle control. Sounds and accessories don't interest me so I'd plan on buying decoders that don't carry as many literal bells and whistles.
     
  2. Sumner

    Sumner TrainBoard Member

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    The vast majority of the locos I've been buying used are DC and not considered DC ready where you can buy a decoder that can more or less replace the light board in the loco although I've bought a few of those and converted them. That isn't very hard to do but the locos can cost a little more generally upfront and the decoders also tend to cost more.

    Most of the locos that I have will require the decoder to be hard-wired into the loco which is somewhat harder. Here is a link to many that have been done that way (see list on left side of page) ...

    http://n-scale-dcc.blogspot.com/

    ...Besides the wiring .....

    [​IMG]
    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/Decoder-1/page-2.html

    ..... you usually have to create a pocket for the decoder to fit into where the ones that replace the light board, DCC ready, don't require modifications to the frame.

    I've only hardwired two of mine at this point and like the procedure but it is time consuming. I have dozens to go if I convert all the ones I've bought. The layout will be DCC so until they are converted I can only run them on a test track that I can switch back and forth between DC and DCC.

    [​IMG]

    You can get into DCC++ for very little money ....

    http://1fatgmc.com/RailRoad/DCC/page-1.html

    Hope this helps some and ask away and tell us more about your plans.

    Sumner
     
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2020
  3. RBrodzinsky

    RBrodzinsky November 18, 2022 Staff Member TrainBoard Supporter In Memoriam

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    It isn’t that expensive to upgrade a loco to DCC. Most of today’s modern (in terms of when model was manufactured, not era) are DCC ready/compatible, and a good motor only decoder (with headlights) is in the $20 to $30 range. You don’t specify scale, but most locos in N and HO have “drop in” decoders available (see a Digitrax or TCS), although best motor control is now found in Zimo and ESU decoders.

    The bigger expense will be the DCC command station. Without starting a religious war, there are good starter systems from a Digitrax (their Zephyr) and NCE (PowerCab). There is also the DCC++ , using an Arduino which is cheaper than the commercial, but not sure if you would be into the electronics. There is a current thread, https://www.trainboard.com/highball...uld-you-spend-money-on-this-dcc-setup.130188/ which talks about the costs of a DCC++ setup.

    If you are only looking at a simple track plan, then starting with DC and moving later isn’t a huge deal. If, instead, you think you will want a more complicated layout (multiple tracks, loops, etc), then DCC wiring is much easier (no need for block isolation, etc)
     
  4. Keith Ledbetter

    Keith Ledbetter TrainBoard Member

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    Since you said you have more time then money I would absolutely by DC locos and convert myself if I were you. As mentioned also research and use DCC++. This will be by far the cheapest route.

    If you don't need sound and have even pretty basic soldering skills and are willing to learn and take your time a dcc++ basestation is $20 with clones, jmri is free, basic decoders from zimo or ESU somewhere around $25 so it's really not bad. If you want sound you are looking at roughly $100 per loco for decoder and speaker w/enclosure.

    @RBrodzinsky and a few others on here have done dozens of installs and are more than generous with there time and help on here so go for it! You won't regret it. Read as many install threads as you can on here and railwire.net. There is excellent documentation out now for lots of different models.
     
  5. Osiris87

    Osiris87 New Member

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    Thanks for the info everyone.
    Sumner, I'm going to follow the thread about DCC++..getting set up with a system that works for far less than even the cheapest DCC system is very appealing. Also, it sounds like this will come down to a choice on my part as to how much my time is worth and the cost difference between DC and DCC ready. I'm actually going to a train show today so I'll get a good idea of how much I can get both for. I'm trying to be cheap but at the same time if an extra $20 to $30 saves me several hours of work then I'll go with that.

    Brodzinsky, I should have specified N scale in the OP. The number of different DCC systems and subsequent decoders is pretty overwhelming, so when that time comes it'll be lots of research on my part. That being said, my intention was to begin with a very simple switching layout and a single road switcher, and in the future upgrade to a second loco when I have more time and money. So ideally I would run DC now, and later shift to DCC.

    Keith, thanks for the input. I feel like I'm already leaning toward DC conversions as a route to go. I've always been one who would rather build something myself that works for what I need as opposed to spending lots of money on the same thing, just in a slightly nicer package.
     
  6. jlbos83

    jlbos83 TrainBoard Member

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  7. Carl Sowell

    Carl Sowell TrainBoard Supporter

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    Let me throw in my 2 cents worth.

    If you want to go DC at first, I would suggest that you look at Atlas's latest releases in which they offer ESU sound. If they continue their current ways they also offer the locos in DC version that will have the speaker already installed from the factory. It is then relatively easy to add sound decoder. I have done two that way recently.

    Be sure to check that the speaker is in the DC version before you purchase.


    Always have fun,
    Carl
     

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