I installed decoders in 2 N scale Atlas engines, one is the TCS 1286 CN-GP and the 2nd is Digitrax DN163A2. The TCS instruction sheet is clear " Autodetect for realistic throttle response when using DC power". I tried it on my DC micro-layout and the engines equiped with that decoder runs smoothly . Now, about the Digitrax decoder, there is no place in the decoder manual that mentions DC. So can I run the Digitrax decoder equiped engine on my DC layout ? If I try, could it damage it ? Jacques
I have two Atlas, DCC decoder equipped locomotives. Both run off my analog DC power supplies. Hurt them? Not likely but I would prefer to run them as designed from a DCC power supply.
Digitrax calls it "Analog conversion" which, like for all DCC decoders, is set by a bit in CV29. The default value for CV29 of 06 includes analog conversion. See section 6.2.2 of the Digitrax decoder manual. You can safely run any Digitrax equipped loco on a DC layout (but if analog conversion is OFF, she no go) Doug Stuard
As Doug said it is on by default. You should be able to just put it on your DC layout and run it. If it won't go then check to see what setting is showing. You won't damage your decoder if it's on DC and set for DCC only. It just won't run.
Thank you Stan for taking some of your valuable time to reply. I checked CV 29 and it had a value of 2 so I reprogrammed a value of 6 ( default ) and now I can run the Digitrax DN163A2 equipped engine on DC too. Observation: on DC The TCS decoder runs a lot smoother than the Digitrax ( jerky motion ). I'm working on my "big" 25" X 36" DCC railroad empire and I wanted to run the DCC engines on my 11" X 23" micro-layout. Jacques
as said by others, digitrax can run on dc by default. just be aware they need about 6v to start running. also cv29 seems to be the cause for some strange runaways. if you strictly run your engines on dcc then you should disable analog conversion.
Thank you Sandro for supplying some additional tips. I avoid to run DCC engines on DC but as I mentioned I'm working on my DCC layout ,so for a few days I have no other choice than to run those engines on my DC switching layout. At the same time I was curious to see how a DCC engine runs on DC. I have to admit that the Digitrax decoder performs flawlessly. Jacques
Well, I destroyed a Digitrax DN163K1B decoder while trying to run a Kato loco equipped with that decoder on DC instead of DCC.I't went up in flames! You can clearly see the burnt IC on top of the decoder. I am never ever going to try to run my DCC locos on DC. At least if they are equipped with that kind of decoders. Frank
I don't see how that can happen unless something else is shorting out, like a frame short. The DN163K1B is designed to work with DC also. If it truly burned out due to DC I would send it back to Digitrax and ask for a replacement. They will also tell you if indeed it was due to DC or something else.
Well I haven't tried sending it back because their warranty is somehow very restrictive. (Not like TCS.)
Have you checked Digitrax warranty policy? They have a "No Worries" warranty. Digitrax.com: Digitrax Warranty Repair Procedures
