Hello. I'm a total newbie to DCC. I'm looking at the possibility to running some large outdoor trains using DCC++. I believe that are called Gauge 3 (2.5" gauge). I'm told they can draw up to 15 amps. I've been spending evenings lately watching Youtube vids on the subject. The DCC++ base station seems pretty straight forward. And Dave Bodnars's booster seems doable to get some amps, maybe not 15, but enough to get things moving. The decoder side will be the challenge in my eyes. I haven't seen any decoders with that high of a rating, and those that are higher than "normal" are pricey. At this point i'm trying to keep things on the cheap to see if it's possible to do this. I'm sure it's possible for someone that is really good with Arduino, unfortunately i only have a basic understanding. So, what to do? I've seen a video on how to control servos with DCC++. Could the PWM signal used to control servo be used to control a mosfet(s) that could feed "rectified" track power to the motor? Is there a way to "amplify" the power from the decoder using the track power to run the motor? Just wanted to throw this out there to see what you all thought. Thanks. Marty
IBT_2 can deliver up to 43A (in theory) and it is described here: https://dcc-ex.com/advanced-setup/supported-motorboards/IBT_2-motor-board-setup.html Is DCC really suitable for those large, outdoor scales? I would probably go for some kind of wireless remote control, and just powered track or battery.
if you really want to go DCC, a booster using the IBT2 works well, up to 43 amp [supposedly], and the MERG homemade decoder with bigger final pass transistors ... draw back is no sound with this unit .. i have built both of those, and they do work 'as advertised'
Thanks for replies. Wvgca: could you give me a ballpark figure on cost? Maybe $30 for all the components? And i would need to get a programmer to program the PIC chip, correct? I've never put anything together with such small parts. I could get parts that would work with a breadboard? What else do i need to know? Thanks again. Marty
the ibt2 is available off ebay for about twelve dollars canadian ... the decoder itself should run under twenty bucks for all components, and initially should be done from a breadboard as many of the merg suggested components have reached their end of life and should replaced with newer stuff anyways... you should allow for increased current on the finals, which also includes the rest of the power subsystem on the decoder itself .. i have links to the merg decoder on model train forum, under user wvgca .. and yes you will need a pic programmer, as far as i remember the decoder used a pic 16f87 as main logic
