NEED HELP on a few things like DCC and Track

[Anonymous]

first of all i have read alot on here about DCC and how much better it is , What do i all need to change over to DCC?
What are the best things out there to clean track so my engines do not slow down on different parts of the track..
When i place a second engine on the track to run it slows both trains down what can i do to correct this?
Also what kind of engine can i buy at a good cost and not expennsive that can pull 10 cars and still have speed?
my layout that i did is in HO and with all the track combined in my layout i have 38 9 inch curves and 23 straight and about 10 smaller pieces and its all one layout that the train goes around with no turnouts just bridges and tunnels because i tried the turnouts but can not get them to work and than getting down about it i just continued the layout with just more tunnels and bridges but would like tyo continue the track in different ways with turnouts because i have a 16 foot by 12 foot room in my garage for the layout and i am only using 12 foot by 42 inches of the space now ..it is an open space doorway of 16 foot to go into this room its in the back of my garage...

[mike33469]

The only thing you really need besides a little time is the money to buy a DCC system. The convervsion shouldn't be to difficult at all. May I suggest a Lenz system, I think they're the best for the money.

[Anonymous]

If you've wired everything properly to begin with, all you'd have to do is plug a DCC system in and go. I'd recommend the NCE powerhouse pro, if you can affors it, otherwise get the atlas commander till you can afford to upgrade to a better system.

Jay

[cacole]

Before you decide to purchase a DCC system, it would be highly advisable to download the manuals to the various systems and read through them and see if you understand anything they are talking about. If you don't already understand computers and digital electronics, DCC manuals can seem like they are written in Martian.

Try these sites and look for operating manuals that you can download.

http://www.digitrax.com

http://www.cvpusa.com

http://www.lenzusa.com

http://www.nce.com

http://www.atlasrr.com

http://www.mrc.com

Personally, I would recommend that you not get an Atlas Master or Model Rectifier system.

For Digitrax, the Zephyr is their basic system. NCE is expensive but probably the easiest to learn.

The problem you describe with your layout is indicative of either a bad power supply that does not put out enough amperage to run two locomotives, or the wire between the power pack and layout needs to be heavier and you need power feeds to the track in more than just one location. Adequate power feeds to the track is critical for DCC to operate properly.

The principal of DCC is that a digital command signal is superimposed over track power, and the two are put onto the track as a mixed signal. A digital decoder in each locomotive reads the digital signal on the track, and does what that signal tells it to do if it is addressed to that locomotive. Poor electrical wiring can cause the digital signal to get too weak to be read and can cause very strange things to happen, such as locomotives running backwards or starting and stopping on their own.

[IRONROOSTER]

NCE's site has changed to http://www.ncedcc.com/
Enjoy
Paul

[nfmisso]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Striker724

first of all i have read alot on here about DCC and how much better it is , What do i all need to change over to DCC?
What are the best things out there to clean track so my engines do not slow down on different parts of the track..
When i place a second engine on the track to run it slows both trains down what can i do to correct this?
Also what kind of engine can i buy at a good cost and not expennsive that can pull 10 cars and still have speed?

Given your current layout, I would suggest that you get one of the following DCC systems: MRC, Atlas (made by Lenz), Bachmann (also made by Lenz) or Digitrax Zephyr.

As mentioned above, you need good connections from your power pack/DCC booster to your track. Large bus wires (like 12 guage), with 18 to 22 guage feeders to the track every three to six feet.

Cleaning track and wheels: MAAS metal polish.

Replace all of your plastic wheels with metal ones, you need to match the diameter of the wheel AND the axle length.

If you want speed, drop trains and go to slot cars.

There are lots of locomotives that will pull ten free rolling cars, most will pull a whole lot more. What are you trying to model?

Turnouts: sounds like you burned out the solenoids by holding the switch for too long.