I've seen a bunch of posts on this and HO and N forums from folks asking will my engine work with X mfg decoder or will my DCC work with XX mfg decoder. While I'm only an RKI, I thought this information might be helpful. If your DCC system or decoder has a NMRA warrent, you can tell that by the NMRA DCC logo. It should be compatable 99% of the time given your system's/decoder's parameters. Decoder installation in a given locomotive is only limited by space and current draw. If anyone else would like to jump in, please feel free. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Yes, Chris, you are correct. To make it even simpler for those who are running DCC but are kind of unfamiliar, here are a list of products that are NMRA standard. Any: Digitrax System NCE System Wangrow System Lenz System MRC System Easy DCC System Atlas System (when it arrives). - If I left one out, feel free to correct me. So, in other words, any decoder from any of the above manufacturers will work on any of their systems. (eg, NEB&W use NCE Powerhouse Pro system with NCE, Digitrax, and LENZ decoders). Sometimes, certain locomotives have space problems, so manufacturers make decoders specially for them. Some examples are the N scale Kato C44-9W and SD40-2 (Digitrax) and the scale Atlas RS-3 and Kato RS-1 (NCE). ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
I am just now beginning to build my first layout and was planning to go to DCC right from the get-go. One of the primary reasons I wanted to go with DCC was the sound. Do the DCC decoders have sound built into them, or do you have to buy a seperate sound card for that? One dealer that I have heard of for the sound is Soundtrax. Do they make sound only boards or do they make NMRA standard DCC decoders with sound functions built in as well? Thanks for any insight. Bry ------------------ Smile! It makes people wonder what you are up to.
Bry, welcome to Trainboard! To answer your question, Soudtraxx makes both sound only and sound/operation decoders. The problem is you need space to mount a speaker in order for the sound to work. Steam loco tenders are very good for this, as are dummy locos. There are some locos that have the room in the chasis, but are still a tight fit. The other thing is that if you start running too many locos with sound, they might just overwhelm you!! If you have a question about a particular loco, contact Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com) and they can help you out. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
Note the "99%" of the time. For example, a Lenz LE230 cannot be programmed in OPS mode on the main by a Digitrax Chief. Some versions of the Chief cannot access functions F5 and F6 on the LE230. Not everything works right all of the time, but overall, the record is pretty good. Also, add Zimo to your list. Hard to get but works really well. - gws
To further this along, and coment on the above post by gwschreyer, the 99% rule really holds up. I've got a Lenz 3.0 and am having trouble programming a NCE decoder, probably something Bill Gates ate yesterday disagreed with him and all computers are burping. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Here is a simple question to me: If I sell my wife's car and buy one of those DCC (200 ton cranes) $400.00, then I have 52 engines all wired for 12vdc. Now I will want to use an engine to push this crane up to a (Prepared) wreck site, and operate this crane. Probably making real time VHS tapes. As I understand, I can just turn the rheostat to zero to stop the engines, and plug in the DCC and run the crane. I don't think these cranes were self propelled, so my engine will have to move the crane foreward and backward to locate the hook properly. So while I have DCC plugged in, can I safely run the regular 12v. engines? I don't want to burn out either a $1,250.00 engine, or the crane. I know nothing about DCC except it is terribly expensive. I don't think I would afford DCC for all the engines I run; and it takes five motors to run a crane like this, and a rather large extension cord, on 12v. Where do I plug in DCC, my power supply, or into a wall outlet? ------------------ Watash
Sorry, watash, you can't do that. Unfortunately, you need to run either DCC or DC control. If you put both on the same rail, you will fry everything. A DC equipped loco can run on a DCC system but don't let it idle for too long. DCC doesn't just "plug in". You need to get a power station, command station, and a throttle. The power station DOES plug into the wall. You may also need to re-wire some of your layout, as block toggle control would be obsolete. So you can't just go out and buy a DCC crane and sytem and "Plug in". It's a lot more complicated than that. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
OK, Harron. Next question. I have 52 steam engines. I have boxes full of diesels, but maybe three or four I probably will keep because they do not have plastic wheels nor rubber bands on any wheels. So say a total of probably 60 tops. Question: How much time would you expect it to take to rewire all engines to DCC? Second question: How much would this probably cost? Third question: Other than being able to run the crane, what advantage will I gain to convert all this to DCC? Thanks for your help. ------------------ Watash
Well, let's see. 60 engines, say an average cost of $30 per decoder (you will get a decent discount if you order in bulk, so it may be cheaper than this) is $1800. A decent system will cost you at least $200, so now we're over $2000 (and we haven't bought the crane yet!!). As for time, it takes me an average of half an hour to do a diesel that is not DCC ready. This includes soldering time, testing, and making sure I won't destroy the decoder when I start the loco. Steamers take longer. So over 2000 hours to convert them all. Of course if you have some good financial resources, Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com) does decoder installations for about $50.00 per steamer, decoder included. If they're brass, gonna be more expensive - $90.00 per steamer. Diesels are slightly cheaper. Again, if you're gonna do 60, you might be able to cut a deal. Also, it will take you some time and money to re-wire parts of your layout. figure only about $200 worth of wiring equipment, and about 200 hrs of time. It really depends on how your layout is set up. As for advantages to DCC over DC, you can run multiple consists (not really as relevant in steam era), have locos moving in different directions on the same track (yes, this means you can have a "cornfield meet" so be careful!!), use realistic helper service, and have some very neat options to upgrade to sound decoders. Now, after going back and re-reading this, I feel this is a major undertaking that probably would take the better part of a year (at least) to complete and take a decent amount of financial resources. If you feel you must got to DCC, then do so. But at your stage, I'd probably stay DC. I must say though, that after running DCC, I will not even think about running a layout I build with DC control. DCC is that much more realistic. If you're serious about this, then get in touch with Tony, and he will be a great help to you. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
Thanks Corey, its just too much money for what it gives me. I'll just keep the crane I got. Another guy said my track has to be clean wiped with isoprople alcohol before running any DCC and has to be really flat. I purposely built the track like real track, because I enjoy watching the equalizers work on rough track. Watching an enginw coming at you, you can see it dip, dive, wiggle and bounce. That brings back memories. Well its DC. Thanks anyway. ------------------ Watash
Watsach, won't try to change your mind. However, I do run DCC with 70 plus diesels, and my track is not perfect or completely flat, it is the same track I ran with DC and then Dynatol. Also I don't have to clean it very often, but do run a trackcleaning train before an operating session, usually a Tony's car dry pad only to pick up dust. Bob
Watash, Go gently into this good night, meaning you can work yourself easily into DCC. I own mostly brass steam, and about once a month I convert another into DCC. I use only Soundtrax decoders and you cannot believe the difference. If you've got 2 steamers sitting in a yard and 3 more on the main the sounds are mind boggling. You don't have to rub alcohol on the track all the time. About once a month I lay down a little zip track and run a train around the lay out putting a little zip every 10 feet or so. Keeps things runnning clean. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Chris and Corey, I got carried away, since my father has died it is very hard for me to deal with what we got paid for making Brass masters that ran like swiss watches, and what they palm off on you today as so called Brass. ------------------ Watash [This message has been edited by watash (edited 03 November 2000).]
