Going DCC what do I need?

[Duce]

Okay I have desided to go DCC what do I need to get? I dont know much about it but I know enough that I know thats the best way to go. Will I need anything aside from a controller and a chip for my engine? Can I get just any chip or do I need one thats made for my engine? What about turnouts and wireing will I need and special parts or will I be able to use my remote turnouts?

I have not started.... well I started but I took the track back up do to technical problems with the grades..lolol But is there any thing I need to know now before I lay down the track?

Thanks guys

[tstage]

Good choice, Duce, going with DCC. [tup] Here's a good place to start:

http://www.tonystrains.com

Go to the link entitled NEW DCC For Beginners! and read it. (You can read it online or download it as a .pdf file.) It will answer many of your questions and educate you more about DCC.

Duce, take your time picking out a system. All of them have their pros and cons. What size layout and the number of locomotives you want/will want to run wil initially help determine what DCC system fit your needs. The best thing to do is to read up so that you don't make any hasty decisions.

Tom

[selector]

I agree with Tom. You wouldn't plunk the same dough down for a DVD-R machine without learning a bit about what they do and which ones get good marks for the key features. DCC is no different; it could be expensive to learn that you hate your first choice.

-Crandell

[colvinbackshop]

Yes, take your time. Read and compare, talk with people that have the system you are thinking about, see what they like and dislike. As tstage mentions, check out Tony's. Another great place to go is www.LoysToys.com
In regard to your question about the "chip": Some locos require a specific decoder (changing out the PC board), others are mostly generic.
As for my input for a system...I run a Digitrax BigBoy, now old and out dated, but it works well and I'm happy with it. I have never had any trouble with Digitrax.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Duce
I have desided to go DCC what do I need to get? Will I need anything aside from a controller and a chip for my engine?

Nope, those are the two basic parts. You will need one chip for each engine. The chip for the locomotive is most often called a decoder or mobil decoder.

QUOTE: Can I get just any chip or do I need one thats made for my engine?

Yes and no. Any decoder that will physically fit into the locomotive and can handle its electrical needs should work. BUT the decoders that are made for a specific engine can be much much much easier to install.

QUOTE: What about turnouts and wireing will I need and special parts or will I be able to use my remote turnouts?

I think the short answer is, no. You can use your remote turnouts as normal. The long answer is, that it is possible to control the turnouts with the DCC and that would take special parts (called stationary decoders). Also this could be added later and does not have to be an up-front consideration. BTW, I don't do this. I use my DCC for controlling the trains not the track.

[ereimer]

if you haven't already , you should read these 2 threads

http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49375
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=36389

the first is the 'which dcc system?'
the second is what to do with it after you get it

[Duce]

Thanks for the other forums ereimer. But I got lost on the first page of the first one and as far as the second... It dont sound like english. Im new at this. I dont even have my first layout running yet and Im not an electricion. Thank you for your help though in pointing me in a direction. I need more of a basic answer. I guess I can tell you what im looking for.

I have a 30X2 rap around layout. different elevations and the whole shot. Im looking for something I can run at least 2 trains on. I would like to change the remote switches I have now to dcc someday. I dont want to have to update my whole system when I do that. I know that the system chips and the sound chips are different. I would like to be able to control the sound chips from the control... A wireless control. Thats what im looking for. If anyone could help out with this I would be very thankful

[Anonymous]

Hi duce heres what I did.
I researched the dcc systems.I wanted something simple and quick and not 1000 dollars. I went with the MRC prodigy advanced.IT has enough power and good instructions and a handheld with a very nice display.there is also the progidy express but your layout sounds pretty big. for the extra money go with Podigy advanced.
Sell your locos on e bay or trade them in on new ready to run locos with decoders already installed.if you havnt heard or seen sound engines by atlas , walthers or broadeway limited you havnt lived.installing decoders is a hassle and time consuming and decoders are not cheap.the new sound locos are awsome and ready to roll.
With your prodigy system just put the loco on the main track or a program track ,follow the easy instructions and you will have your engine running in mear minutes.you can run 3 or 4 trains at once in any direction and go back and forth with your hand held.
for turnouts and lights just use an mrc power pack and marklin or atlas switch machines.later on you can use your PA interface or get switch machine decoders.
thats all you need to get started.that will keep you busy for a year at least believe me.!!