Just starting a new layout, nothing fancy just functional and I was thinking of going with DCC. I have four non dcc spectrums 2 2-8-0's and 2 4-8-2's, I am wondering what type of systems would be best, but not enough to break the piggy bank and simple to install and operate. Any and all sugestions would be helpful. I found a company that has decoders for my engines, so how do you tell what systems they're compatable with.
I have half of my locos switched to DCC. I have an OLD Atlas Commander. Bought it for 50.00. Not the best by a long shot. Just barely functional !! I am looking at the NCE Power Cab. I have found them in the 150.00 range...which I dont think is to bad. JMO .
thanks for the response I'm new at dcc, but will most decoders be reconized by the NCE or other systems or do you need the decoders only by the certain companys
I am pretty sure all decoders will be recognized by all systems. I am sure someone will correct me if i am wrong. I am still on a B I G learning curve with DCC myself ;-) .
Nowadays all decoders should function with any DCC system. Occasionally there are some problems, usually with programming, that can be overcome with the right setup. Just come back and ask here if you're having problems.
The only problem I've seen is Zimo decoders don't work well on a Digitrax powered layout. No problem on NCE though.
If you don't mind my asking, I would like to inquire about your rationale for going DCC. How big is this new layout? What do you expect to gain with DCC? Don't read anything into my inquiry pro or con. I spent a long time weighing the merits both good and bad before making my decision on this issue and I'm just curious as to what it is that makes people think they either need or not need DCC.
I've heard that with DCC there are less problems with the wiring, less wires to run, able to run two or more engines without worry of the wrong switch in the wrong position. My layout will be 6x10, two mains, 1 branch and a good size yard with a service terminal and turntable. So I'm just looking at the different options to see which way is the best.
I've been thinking about DCC myself and could use some suggestions. How does the NCE Power Cab compare to the Digitrax Zepher (or Zepher Xtra)? What are some of the other entry level DCC systems suitable for a small (HCD) layout? (Or is this question more suited to the DCC Forum?) Thanks, Andy Tetsu Uma
I don't have a layout right now, but I do have an older Lenz set 02, which needs to be traded in, or sold. However, I do have 2 HOn3 locomotives, which are sound/DCC. I can't, for the life of me think of why anyone wouldn't want to go DCC! Mark PS: 2 more sound/DCC locomotives are on order.
The only people who don't want to go to DCC are those who haven't tried it--whch is usually because they have 50 loco's they don't want to convert. The simple answer to that problem--it only takes one DCC loco to play with others, not 50. I think most groups have gone with Digitrax, not sure the reason except--most groups have Digitrax
I know the question wasnt asked of me...but... I have a decent sized layout in a 16' converted travel traler. I have dual mains. Now the reason for that was: 2 trains running opposite directions at the same time in DC needs 2 seperate tracks and besides it looked pretty kewl at a 'meet'. Of course with DC I had to have a seperate controls for each main and for my yard. With DCC I can have one buss...1 power supply...one controller and can have it run everything...even the yard. I can now run 2 trains on the same track...in opposite directions (sometmes scary) :tb-wacky:. It does add that bit of operations I didnt have before. I have to shove a train in a siding somewhere...or have a headon collision...LOL. At this point...I am seriously thinking of partially removing the inner main...chopping out sections...and make it into 2-3 passing siding here and there. I can always just park a westbound train in a siding and run the eastbound all day. If I want to see the westbound...I can park the easdtbound in another siding and pull out the westbound and watch a train go the other way. AND...I can do some switching in my yard on the same controller.:tb-cool: I still have a ton to learn about DCC. But I find myself not running the remaining few non converted DC units as much anymore...go figure...lol :thumbs_up: .
I have DCC on my dual layout (O gauge and N scale). I had an HO layout that was DC. My reason for having DCC is not related to size of layout , but operationally I just prefer it. I seem to get the idea that many feel if you don't have a large layout then DCC isn't advantageous. I think the size of the layout is not a factor for me when deciding to go DC or DCC, just operation was a factor. If I had had a whole livery of DC engines then I may have had to think about it, but just starting out I am glad I went DCC from the get go and never would go back to DC operation. I understand why some prefer DC and respect their opinions as well, but this is just my opinion.
The last poster and others have hit the nail on the head, the type and size of layout are immaterial, DCC will improve the enjoyment of any layout unless you can say without a doubt you will only ever own one locomotive. Back to the original topic, while all, or at least most, decoders will work together a throttle from one manufacturer will not work on a system from another. This is where I think the NMRA dropped the ball when they were drawing up the DCC standards or recommended practices or whatever they like to call them. A good idea is to see what system the majority of your friends or club if you are in one or thinking of joining one uses and go with that, you will be able to take one of your throttles to running sessions on other layouts and you can take advantage of a greater knowledge base when problems occur. This is the reason I and my club use Digitrax, not that it's necessarily better or worse than others, just that we were all using it. For my two cents worth a good starter system is the Digitrax Zephyr.
You know this sounds a lot like the married guys telling the single guy how great marriage is then after the single guy gets married they all laugh at him.
The club I'm in uses the MRC Prodigy system. I have the Prodigy system at home, but honestly don't really need it. It's used for programming my engines for the most part. My N scale layout is large enough for multiple train operation, but DC and block control still works fine. My HO layout is quite small, so really no need for DCC at all. The major issue with my N layout is that it was built with non-DCC friendly power routing turnouts (Micro Engineering). I really don't have the majority of my N or HO engines converted to DCC yet, and the nice thing is that I don't feel pressure to make the conversion to yet - if ever. I was out in the garage earlier running a freight train around the N layout with a DCC equipped engine running in DC mode. I have to admit that there are times when the sound function in my HO DCC sound equipped engines is nice, but usually when we have a session going with the club, we turn the sound down or off completely - it just gets too annoying after a while!
One point that has not been made yet is that with DC you control a section of track. With DCC you control an engine. For instance, with DCC you can select engine A, run it up to engine B and couple them together. Then make a MU or double header and run both engines together. When you select forward, the engine(s) run forward. You can run 2 or more trains on the same track and control each independently. I would never go back to DC, even on a small layout, though my layout is not huge either. As to which system to choose, it all depends. The Digitrax Zephyr is a one place unit, kind of like a power pack. It can be expanded to allow tethered or wireless throttles, but as it comes you operate trains from one place. It's OK on a small layout where everything is reachable from a control panel, but nothing beats holding a throttle and switching cars at a remote location. The NCE Power Cab has a tethered throttle and is easier to use than Digitrax. MRC and Lenz are tethered as well. Digitrax and Lenz will run a DC engine on address 0. NCE and MRC will not. My best advice it to try out a unit at a hobby shop or train show. Experience will tell you more than a whole bunch of reading. Beware of sellers that want to sell you what they have. Some dealers are honest and others aren't. Just Beware.
I just bought the B’man Dynamis set-up on Ebay. $120 and the controller uses an infra-red wireless signal. It is pretty flexible and can be expanded with additional controllers and a power booster if I choose. Since I am a one man operation, I don’t anticipate any upgrades. The only negative I have about it is that if I forget to aim the controller in the direction of the receiver when making a change, the control screen indicates the change but nothing changes. Just a matter of re-training my habits.
