lost in dcc

[Anonymous]

trying to decide between digitraxx empire starter set,aristo craft or locolinc all the java has me confused.which would be best for my setup I dont want to get to complicated.My layout is 75foot by 50ft with one reverse loop,14 turnouts 2 pairs which I would like to function as route controll,6 sidings 3 crossing guards,I'm running a bachmann 460 mogul and a 280 both will have phoenix sound.what Im looking for is wireless controll of both engines on track with individual control of whistle,horn and smoke from remote,also remote controll of turnouts,and automatic crossing gate control.also would like automatic control of reverse loop electronic work and wiring is not my bag hence looking for the simplest system to handle my needs.what track power would be the best also.ALL FEEDBACK WELCOME.thanks for your input

[cacole]

Check into the CVP Products' AirWire900 wireless DCC system. I have 3 trains that run exclusively with this system -- handheld, wireless remote control with sound systems in the steam locos. The only hitch is that you must run on battery power instead of track power. I find that to actually be a big advantage because I will never have to clean track.

[Anonymous]

how long have you been using that system?what kind of run time do you get with battery power?can you remotely trip turnouts with the system?where in the world would you put batt.,no room in loco,tender used for speaker box and sound unit,can't picture a passenger car with one or the connection cars away?hopefully by summers end I'll have this up and running,spent the day moving dirt and plotting out track wew!!

[cacole]

My latest project was installing AirWire900 into a Bachmann Spectrum 1:20.3 scale 2-6-0 Mogul. The AirWire receiver/decoder went into the front of the boiler with the antenna, a 3" long wire, sticking up into the smokestack. This required removal of the Bachmann smoke generator, but they're no good, anyway.

The tender got the sound system and a 3" speaker. I used a SoundTraxx DSX sound-only decoder that has digitized sounds from an East Broad Top locomotive. When choosing a sound system, the whistle is the main consideration because all of the other sounds will be more-or-less generic.

The batteries are in the baggage car when I run it for a passenger train with lighted coaches, or in a boxcar if I use it for a freight train. I have the Bachmann Big Hauler 4-car old-time passenger car set with lighted interiors. In lieu of track power for the coach lights, I used model airplane servo extension cables with plugs and sockets to inteconnect the coaches and provide battery power for the lights. A miniature toggle switch on the back of the baggage car turns the coach lights on and off..

For the passenger version, I have two 12 Volt, 2.3Ah Gel-Cell batteries wired in parallel to provide 12 Volts at 4.6Ah. These two batteries fit into the baggage car end-to-end with room to spare.

For freight trains, I have two boxcars with 12 Volt, 5Ah Gel-Cell batteries in them so one can be recharging while the other is in use. In actuality, I have not even ran the first battery down enough to need recharging yet even though it ran a Bachmann Spectrum 1:20.3 scale 2-8-0 Consolidation with a SoundTraxx Sierra sound system for an entire weekend during an open house.

For a more compact installation, Nickel-Metal-Hydride (NiMh) rechargeable batteries can be formed into customized packs that are lighter in weight than Gel-Cell batteries, but NiMh requires a special charger. 12 Volt Gel-Cell batteries can be charged with an automotive charger.

[Anonymous]

sounds good.I am leaning towards digitraxx super radio chief so i can always expand plus loys toys has great service and tech.I want to be able to automate everything some time.Ive been trying to find a book on setting up wiring and such for dcc track blocking and signalling,with scematics and such,know of any written in simple terms? thanks

[Anonymous]

The NCE pro controllers are very nice, lot. of dedicated buttons and available in wired and wireless. It also can be interfaced to a computer are run by PDA's running wirelessly - worth checking out .

Regards, Greg

[bobgrosh]

Jeep

Hi, I'm glad to see you are interested in DCC. I've been using it for 6 years. What fun!

The Digitrax system will do everything you stated above. And a lot more.
The radio Chief is a good choice.

I have one very strong recommendation for you. Be certain that you order the 8 (EIGHT) AMP version, not the 5 amp. It normally will cost you no more than 20 dollars extra to order it as an 8 amp. It will cost you a lot later if you find that 5 amps is not enough.

The second recommendation is not as strong, take it or leave it. You can save quite a bit by not ordering the radio set. ( About $180.00 to $200.00 USD) It is easy to upgrade later if you decide that is what you want. In the mean time, you can use IR for wireless operation. IR works pretty good outdoors if the receiver is shaded from direct sunlight. Or you can use a hundred feet of phone cable. I have three radio throttles, and two that are IR. I Find myself using them on long cables most of the time. While the radio has fantastic range and works far better than an RC/battery setups, I find that I am constantly laying the things down and loosing them. By keeping them on the cord, they are easy to find. I'm not trying to dissuade you from the radio set, but just offer it as a suggestion to perhaps save a few bucks.

Here is my third suggestion. Order the set, Connect it with two short heavy gauge wires (10 ) to one spot on the rails. Follow the instructions for the "quarter trick" (however, in "G" scale you need something bigger than a quarter, a pocket knife perhaps.) Check all of your rail and make sure that every joint is electrically rock solid. Now, don't do any other wiring. Think of your rails as the best, and heaviest wire buss you can buy. To connect a stationary decoder for a turnout, signal, or grade crossing, wire the decoder directly into the rails at the device. Mount the stationary decoders in weather resistant boxes attached to the rail. Keep the wiring simple and clean. The garden is no place for fancy wiring. Keep it simple for now. Get everything working and then we can talk about automation and computer control. Don't waste time or money on anything that relies on detection and resistor wheel sets, It is highly unlikely you will be satisfied with the results in the garden. (If it rains it might be weeks before detection will become reliable again.)

Once you get things going, begin reading up on Transponding. That is the future of automation. And Transponding works wonderfully in all sorts of weather.

Hope to hear from you again in the future. Just ask.

Good Luck

B0B