DCC for Dummies

Charlie Jan 25, 2012

  1. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    This has probably been asked a bazillion times already,but this is my first time to this forum.

    It there a publication that would equate to "DCC for Dummies"?

    I just rejoined a model RR club after about a 40 year lapse. It is now DCC but there are analog operating sessions. The Club uses Digitrax. I need something to help me convert my equipment, much of it quite "vintage" to a DCC operation. Several of the guys have offered to help me with it but I would like to be able to get going on my own. To answer a question that may be in the back of your minds, NO! I am not going to get rid of my expensive brass models that cost me several hundreds of dollars each 50 years ago.

    I have a copy of "The DCC Guide" , a "Model Railroader" magazine book. Are there others that someone might recommend?

    TIA

    Charlie

    P.S. You can also private message me if you dont prefer to answer in the thread.
     
  2. Ike the BN Freak

    Ike the BN Freak TrainBoard Member

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    I'm sure the members that are offering help would be better than online...

    Being they use Digitrax, look out for "The Digitrax Big Book of DCC"

    They can show you how to hardwire a decoder into locos that need it, and you can follow suit on similar locos.
     
  3. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

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    I second The Digitrax Big Book of DCC; its quite good. Also look for tutorials on youtube, sometimes you can find something that hits the spot. Also recommend the free download of Decoder Pro, makes your life go smoother and hooking up to a computer is easy. See if you can purchase, second hand, a "Netbook" from some one who just got an Ipad and dedicate the Netbook computer to your layout. You should be able to pick something up for around $100; you don't need a great Netbook, anything will do. WallyWorld will have new ones for $279, but as I said, look for a used one; many will be floating around as people like my son who bought a Netbook, now own an Ipad and don't use the Netbook:

    New one at Walmart:

    http://www.walmart.com/ip/Asus-Walm...essor-includes-Case-and-Mouse-Bundle/19352743
     
  4. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    The Digitrax book is good, though out of print so kind of a pain to acquire. Another on I like is Practical Guide to Digital Command Control put out by Carstens, often on hand at hobby shops.

    Really, the best way to learn is to just do. There's very little you're likely to permanently damage by entering something funny on a throttle. I have shown a lot of our club's members how to do things on the DCC system.

    For locomotive conversions, I often look at the installation pictures for a given model on the TCS website and then act accordingly.


    I second Decoder Pro as well. No matter what DCC system you're using, it's just easier.



    For throttle, unless you absolutely have to have the higher numbered functions, I recommend the UT-4 for just ease of use and good walk around capability. Your club may have a bunch of extra throttles sitting around.
     
  5. lexon

    lexon TrainBoard Member

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  6. rsn48

    rsn48 TrainBoard Member

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    And don't forget there is the Digitrax forum at Yahoo Groups. If I have one of those hard to solve problems, I'll go there.
     
  7. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks to all for your help. The club has their own standard controllers so that takes one worry our to the equation. There are also other things I need to do like metal wheels,axles and resistors. I just shudder at what this might cost me. What was supposed to be my own railroad layout is my woodshop. I have most of my money invested in that. I just want to start using all the HO stuff I have collected and built over the years.

    Thanks again!

    Charlie
     
  8. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    You don't need metal wheels, axles, and resistors for DCC per se, but it sounds like they're using transponding at the club and so perhaps they have their own rule.

    There are quite a few of us here who use Digitrax as well, so I think this is a good place to ask those questions. I usually ask in my original post when I have a question that people not do the Ford/Chevy kind of manufacturerX/Digitrax rah-rah baloney and that people refrain from posting "I hate DCC" kinds of responses. Doing this tends to weed out such unhelpful responses from those who do have manners.
     
  9. Charlie

    Charlie TrainBoard Member

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    That is correct SteamDonkey! It is a club rule. I will check out all the stuff everybody gave me. Looks like a lot of knowledgeable folks here. Thanx again!

    Charlie
     
  10. PaulBeinert

    PaulBeinert TrainBoard Supporter

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    Was this the Sticky post that got unstuck?
     

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