Confused about DCC turnout control

[Anonymous]

I'm sure this has been covered before, but I did some searches and everything I read assumed a level of knowledge that I did not have. I am starting my first model railroad and I have decided to go DCC. I have a pretty good understanding of how DCC interacts with locomotives, but I don't quite understand how it works with turnouts. I have purchased a Digitrax Zypher controller, but it is still in the box until I get further along laying track. I am considering the purchase of the Atlas Master turnout control unit. Can someone explain in simple terms the concept of controlling turnouts using DCC? Are wires run to each turnout? Are decoders needed for each turnout? Are they intuative to operate? What are the advantages? Are there disadvantages?

[tstage]

QUOTE: Originally posted by LeisurePursuits

...I did some searches and everything I read assumed a level of knowledge that I did not have.

LP,

I'm with you, buddy! Don't be discouraged. I find a lot of material out there, particularly wiring, that makes assumptions too often and too quickly. I don't have the answer for you but I look forward to hearing from others who do.

By the way, welcome to the forum! [:)]

Tom

[cacole]

A stationary decoder is used to control turnouts. Most stationary decoders can control 4 or more turnouts, depending on the type of turnout motor you intend to use. In theory, you just mount a stationary decoder under the layout nearest to the turnouts you want to control, connect the DCC inputs to the track, connect a separate DC power source for the turnout motors to the stationary decoder's power input, and then connect the turnouts to the decoder. This decoder will have its own address, and the turnouts will, by default, be numbered from 1 to 4. I suggest you log onto the EasyDCC Web site and download their instruction manual, which is available in PDF format, and read the chapter about turnout control. Their Web site is http://www.cvpusa.com

[ClinchValleySD40]

I use NCE and their Switch It decoders. One decoder will power two separate Tortoise switch machines or you can power up to four (two off each output - great for crossovers).
The decoder has power input from the main power buss. Each output is assigned a unique address. It is also possible to hook up push buttons for local control (one or two pushbuttons) and LED's to indicate route the Tortoise is set for.
It takes me less than 15 minutes to hook one of these up. Very quick and simple. The only wires "required" are the input for power from the buss and the output to the switch machines. You can control the swtich from the ProCab throttle, the local pushbuttons or from a dispatcher panel. You can also "gang" switches together into a Macro to control yard leads.
Other manufactures (DigiTrax, CVP, etc.) have similar accessory decoders.

Please, if you have any more questions or need clarification, ask away. Plenty of help on this list.