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DC/DCC

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  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Omaha, NE
  • 10,616 posts
Posted by dehusman on Saturday, May 1, 2004 12:09 AM
I have 20 or so locomotives equipped with decoders and all of them will operate on DC (if I turn on the capability). Normally I turn off the DC mode on my decoders so I can break in DC locomotives without operating all the DCC engines.

Dave H.

Dave H. Painted side goes up. My website : wnbranch.com

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: San Jose, California
  • 3,154 posts
Posted by nfmisso on Friday, April 30, 2004 10:28 PM
Most DCC decoders will NOT operate on DC.

Read this: http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm

Then ask questions.
Nigel N&W in HO scale, 1950 - 1955 (..and some a bit newer too) Now in San Jose, California
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Guelph, Ont.
  • 1,476 posts
Posted by BR60103 on Friday, April 30, 2004 10:20 PM
Hi Mr Mekani.
The most recent decoders should automatically sense if you are using DC or DCC. Some of the older ones may not.
"DCC ready" may mean different things to different manufacturers. If it says "DCC equipped", it should include a decoder.
There is a provision in DCC for running DC locos, but it is not ideal -- it uses a form of AC and is noisy and hard on motors. (I talked to Mr. Lenz last year, and he told me they were coming out with a "filter" module to fix this -- like a brain dead chip.)
Really, you should install a chip in each loco to go to DCC. You shouldn't have to remove them again.

--David

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • 8 posts
DC/DCC
Posted by Mr Mekanik on Friday, April 30, 2004 9:39 PM
After 15 years I started to run my HO trains. But, now I see ads for DCC locos and would like to buy a DCC Steam Loco. Some info says that Loco Is "DCC Ready" and others say that Locos can be run on DC or DCC tracks. [?]I would like to know if going from DC to DCC to DC you need to install and remove decoders?
I know that DCC models need to have a Generator (Transformer) and a controller for the engine functions. Does

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