Hi, I would like to thank all the fellow hobbists who have helped me in the past , because in this hobby there are alot of trail and errors and we all benefit with shared information. Thanks. Has anyone one been sucessful with dcs in the garden , im thinking of trying it , but would like to get infor before starting such a project. Scott.
DCS, as in MTH's form of command control control? Yes, it's been used in the garden. There are a few guys who run cottage industries converting non-MTH locos (Aristo, USA, etc.) to DCS.
Later,
K
thanks for responding , who is cottage industries?
No one called specifically "Cottage Industries," but in the generic sense, a cottage industry is a small sideline business. If you go over to MyLargeScale.com, look for a member who goes by the handle Rayman4449. He's done some really cool stuff with MTH's controls. I believe he does custom installs. Here's a link to his web site: http://www.rayman4449.dynip.com/ If you scroll down a bit, there are some links to DCS stuff (About 7 or 8 links down the list. I only know him through his participation on the forums, so I can't speak personally to his work. From what I've seen from his YouTube videos, etc., the DCS stuff is pretty slick.
yes I agree this man has a awesome web site thank you . Scott
Guys, I will go along with that as well. I know that the conversion to dcs is new, but it is picking up alot of steam, because of some of the stuff MTH is putting out there. Go to youtube and type in mth dcs coversion I believe raymann has a few videos, along with others showing the "loco chuff" installed in Usa trains, Aristo, and Accucraft. I can also say raymann is good at getting back to you, when you have a question, because I'm seriously considering dumping digitraxx dcc and going dcs. The bells and whistles that go along with mth's Protosound are endless, and it is alot easier to program. Good luck!
It can be done, although DCS is a bit more "touchy" on supply power (a Bridgewerks is recommended by many) and careful wiring.
I would strongly advise to hold off for the new Protosound III, which is already in the HO products.
Besides working on both DCC and DCS (yes, either can control or program), the new MTH controllers are rumored to have many more features.
One great new feature is that you no longer have to worry about the polarity of the track, i.e. putting the loco on the track the "wrong" way and it cannot be controlled.
Since the conversions are not inexpensive, I think waiting a bit would be worth it to get the new features.
Regards, Greg
Visit my site: http://www.elmassian.com - lots of tips on locos, rolling stock and more.
Click here for Greg's web site
Hi Greg, Is it touchy in northern climates such as Green Bay. Like shorting out touchy? I'm looking into changing this over next year to dcs. Do you know if battery power available with mth proto? Also do you know when proto 3 will be out for large scale? Thanks Jack
DCS is "touchier" than DCC outside. There techniques to minimize this, follow Raymond Manley's advice. Very clean, filtered DC power is recommended. You might have to fool with light bulbs on the rails to keep electrical noise down. Shorting out is no problem, but you should fuse the system.
(I have DCC outside, and run DCS on a friend's layout and have helped debug some problems)
Battery power has been done, but you have to install the TIU in the loco, and it's not small, so for small locos you might need a trailing car.
No idea on the Proto III, it keeps being promised in Large Scale and has been out a while in HO.
Make friends with Raymond and he's the best resource I know.
Not trying to talk you out of your decision, but what were your major problems with DCC? Just programming? Usually after you set a loco to your liking, you don't do any programming.
Hey Greg,
I really like DCC, and the more I learn about the system, the more I like it. However, I want to buy a MTH GS-4. Not only do I love the MTH GS-4, I love the proto-sound system, with the proto-chuff. Now, if it is possible to somehow run an MTH loco with proto, using digitraxx, then I would not convert to dcs. I just don't think there is a way to do it. If you know something Greg that would be great. Thanks. Jack.
Yes, I do know something (ha ha!)...
The protosound III is supposed to be out soon... it's out in HO... it will allow you to run on DCC and DCS.
If you can wait, then you will be in good shape. I'm not sure I would want to convert my entire DCC layout just for one loco...
I don't know the timetable, but the release is apparently imminent.
In either case, run the GS on DCC or convert to DCS, it would be prudent to wait for the new equipment.
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