Wiring question for double loop

[Anonymous]

Thanks everyone for the feedback

Darrell,
I am still struggling with the product choices. Not sure if i would even ever "need" to upgrade the Bachmann-DCC to a Digitrax. The up side to the Digital Commander set is that for about $120 I get a fair amount of track, 2 engines and DCC, add a little more track and turnouts and I can experiment with a 4x8 layout plan I developed and play fairly quickly. I am assuming that if it all works out I can switch the track to a better quality later.

Texas Zepher,
You are correct - I pulled those terms from this articles about "turnouts"
http://www.trains.com/content/dynamic/articles/000/000/000/122qczxi.asp
My particular reference was from the section discussing DCC

[dgwinup]

One quick comment: why spend the money ($120) on a Bachmann now, then spend more money later to upgrade to Digitrax? Why not just spend the extra $40 or $50 bucks and get the Zephyr from the start? I think you would be happier and spend less money in the long run.

Just a thought.

Darrell, quiet...for now

[BR60103]

One caution: don't do anything that would mix the current from your DC power pack with the DCC current. Apparently it's very hard on at least one of the controllers.
DCC lets you control any locomotive anywhere on any track. There are a few convenience issues with insulating parts of your layout, but no insulated joints are demamded unless you use all-rail turnouts.

[Texas Zepher]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nbsrr
I am planning a small layout that has a double oval (inside 15" Rad. outside 18"rad.) that are connect at 2 locations (at the straight runs). Is that considered a reverse loop?

You are correct in your later post, that is just a crossover not a reverse loop.

QUOTE: If I have the 2 loops connected in 2 places and I am using DCC, do I still need to use insulated joiners and separate power for each loop or will that controller handle it.

No, both tracks will use the same power. I would still run a set of wires to each loop though. That way one loop is not dependent on the power coming through the crossovers.

QUOTE: I still have to choose between Power-Routing (Seperated power) and All-live. If I am running (my old tyco) Non-DCC loco's in addition to the new DCC's I should choose power-routing. If only going with DCC , I should choose All-live.

I am not certain of the terms being used. Usually power-routing is used in context of turnouts (switchtracks). I don't know what this would have to do with DCC unless you are planning on hooking up both power supplies to the track and not going to use insulated joiners the opposite of what was mentioned above. Further the DCC unit should have channel zero set up to run DC locomotives if you want.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Chuck, I wasn't planning on that type of reverse either. I think I was able to price the entire layout for under $200 (Dig Commander set + extra track) not sure if i'll need additional power out side of what comes with that set.

[tomikawaTT]

Definitely not a reverse loop. However, if you make a diagonal connection between the two sides of the inner loop, that WILL be a reversing section and will have to be fitted with a reverser (or whatever the proper DCC device is called.)

A true reverse loop looks like the 'balloon' cartoonists use to enclose their characters' quotes, which may be why it's also called a balloon track. I'm using that configuration in my lowest-level hidden staging to get freight trains pointed in the right direction to get back up to the visible part of the layout.

I'm not about to throw bricks at sectional track. I laid some (acquired with yard sale train sets) on my subgrade so that I would have something to run my work train on during early track laying. I still use a section of 24" radius curve to make sure none of my 'eyeballed' curves fall below my minimum radius sandard.

Chuck

[Anonymous]

Upon further research, It looks like this is not a reverse loop.

That said, I still have to choose between Power-Routing (Seperated power) and All-live. If I am running (my old tyco) Non-DCC loco's in addition to the new DCC's I should choose power-routing. If only going with DCC , I should choose All-live

Am I making any sense?

[Anonymous]

Hobby friends,
I am planning a small layout that has a double oval (inside 15" Rad. outside 18"rad.) that are connect at 2 locations (at the straight runs). Is that considered a reverse loop?

I intend on using DCC. I was thinking of getting Bachmann's Digital Commander set $100-$120 (includes EZ Track, DCC and 2 engines) and buy more track (15", turnouts etc) as needed to build layout. Later, I can upgrade to Kato Uni-track (or flex) and /Digitrax-Zepher when I have more time money. Please no E-Z track bashing, I am convinced that Kato is better, and hand laid/flex is best, I just want to get back in the engine again.

I have read a lot of posts and searched as best I could on DCC but couldn't answer this question.

If I have the 2 loops connected in 2 places and I am using DCC, do I still need to use insulated joiners and separate power for each loop or will that controller handle it.