Don, Jeff, You mean well and your advice is sound and reasonable and I know you are only trying to help Ken out. I'm sure he does appreciate the good advice, but in this case I have to remind you of the budgetary constraints that Ken is under. It sure isn't any fun being on a pension and having little extra to play with knowing that the hobby really does require more money than most would care to spend if given the choice. I feel for Ken and others who can only stand at the candy counter and longingly look at all the goodies behind the glass. Very frustrating to say the least. I sometimes wish I were santa and could surprise folks with unexpected treats. I know Ken would gladly tear open his DCC package if someone were to gift a system to him. I can only feel a bit of pain for Ken as he longingly views all the neat Z items he would undoubtedly love to have. If there is a rich fellow out there who would get a kick out of doing something really nice for a fellow Z scaler who does not own any silver spoons, I'm sure a DCC gift package would delight Ken to no end. Of course, it might also cause him to keel over with a heart attack, so don't know the answer. Ken, those of us who do have DCC can feel your pain. One of the Z crowd.
Loren: No, I am not trying to help Ken out. There are many folks considering DCC and one common thought I hear is that it is way too expensive. Some statements were made about DCC costing "thousands" and I want prospective folks to realize it is only a few hundred dollars. If these folks are "in" trains, DCC is just another toy to consider and it is no more expensive that some of the train sets they might buy. In no way am I trying to induce Ken to jump into DCC. I do not know him; do not know where he lives; do not know what his finances are -- BUT I do like to spread facts. As you know "I ain't no politician" and tend to run on the straight and narrow...... ...don
I could of swore we had this discussion as started by the same OP on another thread. Glad you found what you are looking for and I hope that works out for you.
Ive been hesitant to convert my Z scale over to DCC because I have a few steamers, and some Nn3 steamers that would be difficult to convert. Since Z scale engines require so little power, would it be possible to power a small layout with a single HO or N scale decoder for DC power? That way I could convert my diesel fleet and still use my steam engines on occasion. The same concept could be used to power multiple track loops too. Concept: Is this a screwy idea? Would I fry the decoder every time I short the track? Also don't forget the ZTrackCenter's DCC Snail Speed Controller for ~$70. It can control 3 DCC locomotives and is a cheap way to get into DCC.
Hi, I'm by no means an expert on DCC and I've been thinking of doing much the same thing you are thinking of, and it seems to me that there should be no funtemental issues. I would add at least a 1 amp fuse to the decoder output. But you might want to consider a circuit that I ran across a while back: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/decoder_adapter.html Mark
You can also buy directly from the manufacture, Medvend Electronics... which is what I did. Excellent service and quick replies to all your questions (which I had many). http://www.medvend.hu (select the British flag for English webpages)
Here is where I have to get my bi annual plug for the Jorger delux. Hard to find...but simply put the best out there. These snail speed controllers are good. But the Jorger makes a 3 pole marklin motor smooth ask silk at that scale speed 10-25mph. Snails can't do it. Trust me I have tried. To this day, I am amazed at why I beleive Jeremy never went big time with these units. One day I will have to get modernized and post a video of a side by side comparasion. It is a jaw dropper.
Well, the good old and new "Snail" and the same Medvend 9V and universal controllers can move the old, but well tuned three pole Marklin 8800 with the scale speed of 5 miles per hour, no sweat. I never tried the Joerger controller, because I had no reason to do it.
Just to get an idea what the 5 Miles / Hour scale speed means, here is a short video clip. The chassis under the SW-1 has five pole motor, but this is not the slowest speed achievable either using the controllers we're talking about. http://www.zthek.com/HTMLobj-2058/P1000604.MOV One of my specialties at Train Shows to seat down at a table with my tools and start to work on a dead Marklin 8800. About an hour later I put the refurbished and tuned up locomotive on my "special" test track, a Marklin 50mm "long" straight track section, connected to a "Snail" controller. What about 10 seconds from one end to the other?
Thanks Loren for your understanding and support on this matter. I know that this is nobody's business but my own, but let me try to put this into perspective. As it stands right now, my layout consists of 10 modules in various stages of construction. I have two finished with the exception of adding a few things cosmetic wise. the rest are in mock up, condition. I am in the process of finalizing 3 more of the 10 in order to have them in some semblance of completion but a show that I (we) are doing in late September and another one in early Dec. Since the formation of my Z-scale association, I have 5 members. Only 1 other gentleman has a layout besides myself and guess what? It's DCC which he CAN AFFORD since he is a working stiff and I am retired. The other 3 guys don't have any layouts in any scale at all, but just wanted to join to be part of a rail group and learn a few things. My projected expenditures for my (our) layout is about $1300.00 and the bulk of that is for landscaping material, trees, and other scenery making goods. That is just for the modules currently being put together for these shows coming up. Now you take 60 bucks a month and divide that into 1300.00 and that's how long it is going to take me to complete these modules. Now that doesn't include an incidentals like brand new engines, which I have already spent my next 2 months budget on thanks to Loren. and a few pieces of track here and there. Over the coming years it is my hope to add a module or two each year until I reach the goal that I have set for myself, and that includes transition tables to connect other layouts to mine. Since I am footing the bill for my layout I don't ask any of the guys in our association to contribute in any way. Especially those who don't have layouts of there own. They are here to learn and give me a hand on what will eventually be the focal point of the largest Z scale layout in Canada. At least that's my dream. So with what I have to accomplish and what I need to spend on reaching that accomplishment, there is no extra money now, or for the projected 10 year future for DCC on my layout. Now the fellow who does have the DCC layout, will be able to run his trains on mine as well, when connected together but he is going to add the necessary modifications to mine at his expense. His choice not mine. I'm ok with that. So gentlemen, you see that my budget is extremely restricted and the next several months at 60.00 per, are already spoken for. My only concern is having these modules ready for the next two shows. And definitely complete but Supertrain 2012 here in Calgary. Once that's done, then it's on to the next one or two. And on it goes. I hope that sets this matter to rest.
As a newbie you are right where all of us have been at one time or the other. Enjoy the hobby and learning curve. You are going to do fine.
