Hi folks! Question for all you DCC-ers out there. I'm planning out our first layout (my wife and I are both into this!) and we've got basically what we want. It's just a 4x8 with a smaller leg for now. (Sorta L-shaped) Anyway, we're purchasing a Digitrax system, and this will be our first DCC setup. Now, I've learned the basics, except for one thing. When you are wiring a DCC layout, I know that you should have feeders every 6-10 feet, right? Is there any need to insulate between these sections? (There is no reversing section) (I'm still kinda used to block wiring after a setup I had years ago...so I'm probably thinking along those lines too much. ) Thanks!
Just follow the same rules you did for regular DC. Put insulated rail joiners any place that a short would occur. You don't have to have blocks but I would recommend that you have a few. Just use SPST switches (Off-On). That way if you want to switch power off on part of the layout you can. Also, if you ever expand and need a booster it will make it a lot easier. You should have one block on a spur that you can use for programming your locomotives. Use a DPDT switch to that block. One side of the switch will be wired from the programming terminals on the command station and the other side of the switch will be from the regular track power.
When creating a programming track, BOTH rails must be insulated. Question - Why gap the rails (other than for programming)when running DCC? ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by sd75mac: Question - Why gap the rails (other than for programming)when running DCC? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> First off, if you have metal frogs, they need to be isolated, then have the power routed through them for the correct route. That is the first thought, and most common. Second is reverse blocks, and third is power districts. Other than that, there is no need to gap the rails at all. ------------------ 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
Welcome to the board Canadian Knight, hope these guys have helped you with info. There's a great book put out by nmra on DCC, you should get it, its got lots of good info in it. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
But the original poster said no reversing loops and a 4x8 layout. So he would only need gaps for a programming track. ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
There is a difference between Required and Desired. Insulated joints are only Required where a short would occur if not for the insulated joint. It is Desired to have an isolated programming track. I may be desired to be able to shut off power to a section of track, for example where you park not in use locomotives. There is no need for power to be flowing through every locomotive that is just sitting there on you layout.
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ncng: There is a difference between Required and Desired. Insulated joints are only Required where a short would occur if not for the insulated joint. It is Desired to have an isolated programming track. I may be desired to be able to shut off power to a section of track, for example where you park not in use locomotives. There is no need for power to be flowing through every locomotive that is just sitting there on you layout. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Half right, half wrong . Most (if not all) of the systems REQUIRE an isolated programming track. This track does not have enough power to run trains, and is only used to program the loco. Mine isn't even connected to the layout, it is just a strip of flex track connected to the programming leads and placed next to the command station. There is a way to make it an "Operational Siding" and programming track using a DPDT toggle. And you are correct that insulated joints are only needed where a short might occur (metal frogs, reverse loops) but also new power districts (different power boosters to isolate shorts and handle more locos). ------------------ 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
Another copuple of reasons to have a special programming track. 1. You don't fry the decoder if you hooked it up wrong.( I know I'm the only guy that ever did that!) 2. There are decoders out there that can't be programmed on the main line. ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Well, Digitrax supports programming on the main, but who wants to risk accidentally reprogramming ALL your locos? GAH! Thanks for the input though folks!
The main line programming from Digitrax is used only with the Chief. Before you can program on the main, you must dial in a specific address. ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
Gah! I thought Empire Builder supported programming on the main. Oh well...not a big deal, I was planning on setting up an isolated programming track anyway.
I began with a Big Boy/Empire Builder. Then I discovered additional items I needed, like being able to read the contents of each decoder and 4 digit addressing. So, I bought a DCS100 to elevate me to a Chief. These are just a few of the additional perks included with a Chief. ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
Well, technically we're beginning with a Genesis system...but we're buying a DT100IR throttle at the same time...so we end up with an Empire Builder. Can't justify a Chief for such a small layout. (We were going to buy an Empire Builder, and get a UT2 throttle, but it turns out to be a few bucks cheaper the other way around...heh)
The buddy who bought my 4x8 layout has a Chief. Not because of the power capacity of the Chief, but because of the added features like the ones I mentioned above. I believe in the near future, I'll see you too will be using a Chief. When you do decide to upgrade to a Chief, all you'll need to buy is the DCS100. There is a hobbyshop, Beckers, that sells a DCS100 for $219, shipping included. ------------------ Keep on Track'N at www.phcomputing.com Harold Riley
I have done the Dgitrax thing for several years now. Canadian Knight you have made a wise choice. You will not NEED to block except for the program track and I recommend you have one even though your system can program on line. Your choice of turnouts would be the only other reason to HAVE to block any rails. It is best not to use power routed turnouts but you can if you isolate them on both routes from the frog thus preventing shorts. Have Fun! ------------------ No! Your track is not clean.
My layout is already wired for dc operation, with blocks. All the turnouts have motors, and control panels. These will stay, so the DCC will just be used to powere the locomotives. (When I get round to laying out the money for it) ------------------ Alan The perfect combination - BNSF and N Scale! www.alancurtismodels.com Andersley Western Railroad Alan's American Gallery
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by scottadcock: You will not NEED to block except for the program track and I recommend you have one even though your system can program on line. Your choice of turnouts would be the only other reason to HAVE to block any rails. It is best not to use power routed turnouts but you can if you isolate them on both routes from the frog thus preventing shorts. Have Fun! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> As for blocking, it's not really a block as it is just a gap in the rail to prevent a short (except as I mentioned above, with a new power district or a reverse loop block). Best not to use power routed turnouts??? How would you power the frog then for those short wheel-based locomotives? Whenever one of our frogs dies (we have a TON of them) the Athearn Mike and P2K 0-8-0 both stall on them (since they are without tender pickup). Every piece of operable rail is powered on our layout. Power routing isn't hard with a Tortoise machine either, as it pretty much does it for you. Another reason you would need blocks would be a signalling system, which we have begun looking around at for our layout. ------------------ 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
Point well taken Corey, I always refer back to the atlas turnouts that I USED to use. It seemed like none of my steamers would go over the frog. I do not use switch machines, prefer to switch manually. I went to Walthers (shino.) turnouts and they work flawlessly but I have to isolate since I do not use a tortoise or the like. Best compromise I have found are the Peco's. They are considered DCC ready and the insulfrog is much shorter than the Atlas. They work with every loco I have 100% of the time. The only drawback if you consider it one is you have to choose between 75 or 100 code. I had been using 83 but not so much trouble combining them after all. I am also planning on wiring tenders to p-u so as to eliminate that short wheelbase problem altogether. Good talking with you, SA ------------------ No! Your track is not clean.
Scottadcock, I'v got a question for you. How do you mate different code rail together. I'm building a helix with code 100 rail. The rest of my layout is code 70. How do I mate the code 70 to the 100??? Thanks ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
