Oh, I get it, you're taking the entire thing on or off DCC. But why do that? that limits you so you can ONLY ever run Only DC or only DCC on the entire thing rather than handling it on a block by block basis.
Handling it on a block by block basis runs the danger of feeding DC power back into the output of the DCC booster (and v-v) when a loco overruns a block. This can cause damage to the power pack or booster (but likely not to the decoder). If you can keep all your flippin' toggles straight, the two switches per block approach will work, but switching the whole railroad via a single 4PDT switch (NOT a DP4T) is easier on the psyche.
Well, as was mentioned earlier in this thread, I've never seen this problem, neither have others. My club regularly runs DCC and DC on a block by block basis and the locos do occasionally short the sections and no problem has occurred. Now, its a club, so each cab controls a main and there are only a few points of failure on this, but in general, this is not a problem.
As Doug wrote, keep DC and DCC away from each other. Regardless whether you or a club does this regularly, or someone has seen/heard/tasted/smelt it, there only needs to be the right circumstances once to let the magic smoke out of those electronic do-hickeys. Then it's most likely a repair trip for the booster. Why chance it? Remove the human error factor and risk of damage is greatly reduced. Either substitute (use one or the other) or engineer (switches) the possibility out.
I agree that it would be best to keep the DC and DCC signals separate. However using the approach I suggested would allow dividing the layout into two sections for example an inner loop running DC while an outer loop ran DCC.
This is exactly how I'm running my layout.Only,the outer loop is DC and the inner DCC. Works pretty darn good. Enjoy, Wolf
OK, I don’t want to sound like a newb(noob? boob?) but I’m lost and have a question. I have a 3’ X 6’ Atlas cookie cutter layout and it is wired in 12 blocks using Atlas Selectors. I have an MRC Prodigy Advanced that has never been out of the box. I want to run just DC or DCC not both at the same time. How would I need to rewire to be able to use DCC? I’ve looked at the diagrams but I am just not getting the picture. Using a 4PDT toggle as in Gats diagram, I follow how to wire the DCC side and the Cab A/Cab B side. What I’m not sure about are the middle wires. Do 2 and 3 go to the Common rail and 1 and 4 to the Selectors, or vise versa? Is it even possible to wire it using Selectors or is it going to be a lot of rewiring with something other than Selectors? Thanks for any help.
George aka Mtntrainman, Did you follow all of that? Wow, the discussions you get started. So, how is it working out on your layout?
Ok Guys....I bought a 4PDT...wired it in...and it works GREAT! Left is DC...Center is Off...Right is DCC. So easy...a caveman can do it...LOL :tb-biggrin: *thnxs Gats et al .
