DCC

[recaper]

HELLO, MY NAME IS TOM,I'M BRAND NEW TO G SCALE. I BOUGHT SOME LGB TRACK AND A BACHMANN 3 TRUCK SHAY WITH SOUND AND DCC. I HAVE A 10 AMP POWER SUPPLY(MEAN WELL). MY QUESTION IS WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO RUN THE DCC AND SOUND? THANKS

                                                                                                                                           TOM

[kstrong]

You'll need some kind of DCC control, such as that from Digitrax, MRC, Zimo, Lenz, etc. Lots to choose from, and lots of opinions as to which one is best.

One quick word of caution about the DCC in the Bachmann 3-truck Shay. If it's the factory DCC, I believe it's limited to 21 volts maximum. Don't quote me as gospel on that, but I seem to remember reading that from multiple sources. The Meanwell 10-amp supply is reputed to be a great power supply, but if it puts out more than 21 volts, then you'll want to regulate that down somehow or get a lower-voltage power supply. Fortunately most of our trains run quite well with only 18 volts (or even less--many battery guys use 14 volts), so you really don't need more than 21 volts anyway--especially for a Shay!

Later,

K

[recaper]

Thank you KSTRONG . THE SHAY DOES HAVE FACTORY SOUND AND DCC!  THE MEANWELL TRANSFORMER HAS ADJUSTABLE OUTPUT, I WILL TURN IT DOWN TO 18 V. THANK YOU!    TOM