Controller needs?

Shortround Apr 9, 2021

  1. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    I'm in the process of restarting RR modeling. Today I went through a couple boxes of my stuff and found 4 DC controllers. 3 about the size of 2 decks of cards and very simple. 2 from Life Like and 1 from Bachman. The 4th is 4 times the size. Railpower 1370. These should work alright for an N scale. I've had 2 before.

    But I also recently got 2 DCC HO steam engines and a bunch of cars. Also an NCE Power Cab controller. It came with the cables, power panel and manual. But missing the AC to DC power converter. I checked the internet link and they do have it.

    I'm wondering if this is all I would need for a simple HO layout. The wire connections are rather small.

    I also have a bunch of modeling stuff, books and magazines but, they are in a storage shed and I'm waiting for transportation out there.

    Rich
     
  2. minesweeper

    minesweeper TrainBoard Member

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    Rich, if you do not wish to install DCC on the other older locomotives, you can use the power packs to run the analog, and then, when you want to use the DCC ones, just unplug the DC controllers from the layout and connect the Powercab.
     
  3. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    The older ones are the N scales. Bought, along with others, in the early 1990s. Along with a newer CN engine - cheap HO. I used it's oval track to test the steam engine DCC HOs before acquiring the DCC controller.
    After getting several books/magazines about DCC in mid 2008, I find it hard to believe it would be that easy to just hook it up to a DC layout. After 2010 I had to leave them lay until now.
     
  4. bigGG1fan

    bigGG1fan TrainBoard Member

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    I have a dual setup because I had a lot of older DC engines. Basically, I just disconnect the track power from the DCC controller and hook it up to the DC power pack. My layout is not very complicated. It's a two track loop with a couple of crossovers and a yard, and it's Kato Unitrack, so that might make it a little easier.

    Sent from my SM-N950U1 using Tapatalk
     
  5. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    What I see in books and on this board sure doesn't look that way. How do I identify my two engines? I understand they have numbers. I see no manufacturers names on them.
     
  6. Mr. Trainiac

    Mr. Trainiac TrainBoard Member

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    I usually look up the road number and wheel arrangement and/or railroad online, usually that will return some images. Usually you can find the manufacturer that way, or maybe look on eBay using similar search terms. If the two have DCC, they are probably more modern models, which are easier to find documentation for. Trying to search for some ultra-rare factory misprint 1950's defunct model may be a different story.
     
  7. Shortround

    Shortround TrainBoard Member

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    The numbers are for identification on the DCC controller. I knew the real models and when they were used.

    I was really looking for a model of a Rogers wood burner. Used in Westerns, Petticoat Junction and Green Acres. I have the Green Acres house, cars and tractor. Also the airplane from Petticoat Junction.
    The DC N gauge is a more modern A&B that I still see locally. As Canadian National. Except mine are Wisconsin Central that I wished to keep.
     
  8. porkypine52

    porkypine52 TrainBoard Member

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    I would master DC on a layout before moving to DCC. As for what DC controllers to use, you can't get much better than a MRC Railmaster #2400 https://www.ebay.com/itm/MRC-Tech-i...109588?hash=item4b917806d4:g:rTAAAOSw0tFgcH0A They haven't built this model for awhile , but you can still find them. The currant model is the MRC Tech 7 Ampac 760. https://www.modelrectifier.com/product-p/0001276.htm These packs are for DC only. For DCC you need a complete other system.
    I have used old Bachmann power packs for power for turnouts only. You will lose power when you try to run trains and turnouts from the same power pack. The turnouts will pull the power, and trains will slow down.
     

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