I have a total DCC Layout in N scale. Can non DCC Locos be left on the tracks while you run the DCC locos? Will Non DCC locos be hurt by this? Thanks Ron
Hi, The short answer YES and YES. Other threads here show photos of motors that have burned up / melted in DC locos just sitting on the DCC tracks. Besides the risk to the motor, there is the noise. I don't leave my non DCC locos sitting on the layout, it is not the worth the risk to have locos on display Gary
Theoretically, you can leave a DC loco on the tracks and run a DCC loco. However, from my experience, the DC loco will "hum" (aka scream, whistle, howl) that eventually gets on my nerves and I run the DC loco onto a section of track I can isolate. Electronically, the DC motor is sitting there 'dithering' while you run a DCC engine, turning slightly back & forth, so there is no actual movement, but it is wearing on the motor & brushes. Personally I don't do it, because my nerves can't take it
Along with what these guys have said I found that my DCC controller won't run some of my DC loco's and if it does its at a very slow speed.
As Dan mentioned, leaving a DC loco on DCC powered trackage will cause the motor to "dither" back and forth in response to the +/- transitions of the DCC waveform. This is audible in the "howl", "squeal" or "scream" mentioned. Aside from jangling your nerves, it also generates heat, which if not dissipated will damage the loco. Systems that allow a DC loco to be run using address 0 offset the DCC waveform + or - to provide a average DC value that will result in loco movement (and some cooling). Servicable, but not ideal, and again, the user is cautioned not to leave a DC loco stationary for any period of time as the heat cannot be dissipated. Short answer: Don't do it.
All my stuff is HO but the rules regarding DC locos and DCC are still the same. If I have a DC loco parked on a siding that siding has a gap in one rail so the rail can be turned off with a switch.
[video=youtube;F-oj_17ybLQ]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-oj_17ybLQ[/video] From the "Just because you CAN doesn't mean you SHOULD" department, by way of the "Can we hack into NORAD with this?" thread... Thought this video might be relevant to the discussion.
There is a way to leave a DC engine on the layout if you have powered frogs----If you power the frog that its hot all the way back to the end of a stub track or bumper track ----when you throw the turnout against the bumper track it makes the rails + + or -- which puts the motor at zero voltage potential (turned off) when you throw the turnout back to the stub track you again have full track voltage difference 12V or whatever. just a thought alan c.
Yes you can run a DC loco on a DCC only layout. Do not leave the DC loco sitting idly on powered track. Either shut off the power to that track or remove the loco completely. DC loco's sometimes creep along unnoticed or will get so warm that the motor seizes and will not turn until it cools down, especially with N scale. You can also run DC loco's in a consist with DCC loco's if your DCC system allows zero stretching. One of my DC locos, an Atlas GP7, runs so well on DCC that it seems to be sound equiped with the sound increasing as I advance the throttle. But when it is not in use it is on a track that has the power turned off with a toggle.
There is a way to leave a DC engine on the layout if you have powered frogs----If you power the frog that its hot all the way back to the end of a stub track or bumper track ----when you throw the turnout against the bumper track it makes the rails + + or -- which puts the motor at zero voltage potential (turned off) when you throw the turnout back to the stub track you again have full track voltage difference 12V or whatever.!This also eliminates using a toggle switch to manualy turn the power to the tracks which you might forget to do . Just a thought alan c.
