Bear "It's all about having fun."
ndbprr wrote:Since There are standards for DCC and decoders are compatible with all systems has anyone tried using throttles or components like reverse loop power control from one maufacturer with a system from another manufacturer? What was the success or failure? Thank you.
As has been said, 'trackside' items should be fine. Reverse loop controllers, boosters, and circuit breakers would fall into that category (EDIT: also decoders). On the other hand 'control' side things, such as throttles, are generally not compatible. There are a few exceptions to this, I think mainly due to cross branding. The reason for the difference is that the DCC standards apply to what gets put on the rails. This means that anything that uses the input to the rails (hence output of the booster) will be compatible. The standards don't say anything about how a manufacturer deals with the control side and user interface side of things, that's where the differences in systems mainly exist.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
This is an odd one, since it is exactly the type of thing that should work across systems. How did it fail? Did it not trip before the booster itself tripped?
They said the Command Stations, Boosters, and Throttles were not compatable with other systems. I was told that each system was unique to the manufacturer. They said items that were interchangable between most manufacturers are Decoders, Reverse Modules and UTP's (universal throtle pannels).
I have used several Digitrax decoders in my engines with no problems. However, I cannot use a Digitrax throttle on my NCE system.
Bill
ndbprr wrote:Since There are standards for DCC and decoders are compatible with all systems has anyone tried using throttles or components like reverse loop power control from one maufacturer with a system from another manufacturer?
I have MRC, Digitrax, and some other brand of auto-reverse units all working in harmony on my Lenz controlled system. I am using CVP brand wireless throttles. I should mention that the power supplies for the Lenz boosters are Digitrax brand. I also use Digitrax power separators (PB42?) on the other side of the Lenz power boosters. I am surprised and puzzled by the issue mentioned above with a circuit breaker. That should be an area where the components re easily compatible. I am even more surprised that the issue is with an NCE product.
The places the vendors products become incompatible are in areas not covered by the DCC standards like throttle busses. Currently the odd men out there are Digitrax with their Loco-Net bus, and CVP's Easy DCC (with whatever it uses). Most of the other vendors use or at least allow express-net.