Battery Power

[Greg Elmassian]

Most of the systems out there have the output voltage settable to avoid the over-voltage sensitivity of the DCC board in the Shay.

You can pick any system that allows you to lower the DCC voltage. When you get more locos and if you find you need a more "normal" voltage, a simple modification on the Shay to drop the track voltage a bit can be done.

You can buy any wireless track power DCC system that strikes your fancy. In general, the more capable the system and better hand held cabs, the more money.

I have chosen the NCE system as a good balance for me. There are other systems with more capabilities (such as automation, more compatibility with obsolete hardware, etc.) but more money (Thinking Massoth and Zimo here)

Be careful also, some of the "wireless" DCC systems use Infrared rather than radio waves and that will not work outside.

On the power supply front if you use a regulated DC power supply, you will typically lose 3 volts from input to rails... so if you want to keep the shay at a max of 20 volts, 23 volts would be the max DC input.

Many 24 volt power supplies will let you adjust them down to 23 volts.

Remember the shay is already a slow running loco, as it should be, so lowering the track voltage significantly will make it run really slow.

But, you need to pick your DCC system first. Are there any clubs nearby (even HO or N scale) that use DCC where you could get to see and touch their system?

Regards, Greg

[kstrong]

Wireless track-powered DCC is definitely easier in terms of your situation. For that, you need a wireless transmitter and base station receiver. The receiver in this case sits trackside, then distributes the signals through the track to each locomotive. Many of the big players in large scale DCC (NCE, Massoth, Zimo and others) make suitable wireless systems, and they should work well with the factory DCC decoder on the Shay. Greg can probably chime in with the specifics of what you'd need in terms of a power supply in addition to the wireless set-up. He uses the NCE wireless set-up.

You mentioned in another thread that you already have a good Meanwell power supply, so that should be sufficient to get you going. (For the benefit of other readers, you'll want a good at least 10-amp regulated power supply. 18 volts will be sufficient for most users, though you could go 24 volts if high speed transportation is your preferred modeling. Note - make sure your decoders are capable of handling 24 volts. In the case here, the B'mann Shay being discussed has a decoder that has a 21 volt ceiling, and the decoder will shut down on anything higher.

Note also that the 0-4-0 Porter is a fairly light-duty locomotive, so you may be able to get away with an O-scale decoder that would probably have the "standard" 8-pin plug to plug directly into the locomotive. You'd probably want something capable of 1 amp continuous, maybe 2 amp peak. My 0-4-0 draws less than 1/2 an amp during regular running, but a bit of headroom is always nice to have.

Later,

K

(edited post to correct forgetfulness)

[recaper]

I am sorry everybody I must of misled you. I know nothing about  electronics. I appreciate everybody trying to help me.  I given up on battery power. Can you tell me what I need to switch to  just to wireless control with DCC.   and track power. I can't believe it's so hard to convert  a Tsunami sound/motor decoder to battery power. Thanks Tom