basic terminal wiring question with bachmann ez command dcc

[Anonymous]

 

First-time poster so thanks for your advice. I am just getting going, finally putting together all of the stuff I have been compiling over the past few years. I have the bachmann ez command(entry level I know but I don't have any immediate plans for running lots of engines).

I am setting up an atlas track layout with standard turnouts and terminals(there is a reverse loop - the layout is the up and over dogbone if that helps). I also have a bachmann dc power pack which I was told at the hobby shop I could use solely for my switches and lighting. They also indicated that I should be able to wire up the system for the dcc using the basic dc wiring layout in the atlas book(just turn on all of the selector switches for dcc ops). This gets me to my problem/question.

In most of the reading I have done, it seems that the common terminal wiring must be connected to both cabs but because I will be running both engines off of the ez command dcc and using the dc cab for "accessories and switches" where do I wire the common terminal wire(can I just wire it to the dcc cab and avoid the second common connection to the dc cab)? And while I am asking, am I correct in thinking that wiring the switches requires using one or only a few common wires all connected together under the layout and then run to one or a couple of the switch controls for power continuity?

 Thanks!

[tstage]

WJ,

First off: to the forum!  Good to have you aboard!

My advice: Keep your DCC and DC wiring completely separate from one another.  If the layout is small, two track wires will power you layout just fine.  The light and turnout wiring should only be hooked up to the other power pack.

Since the DC and DCC are not compatible with one another, you run the risk of frying something if you inadvertently miswire it.  Also, this will make your wiring simpler, too.

FYI: Bachmann makes a reversing loop module for the E-Z Command that should connect to the I/O port in in the back of the unit.

Hope that helps...

Tom

[Cannoli]

Welcome to the forum and the world of DCC.

I started out very similar to what you are proposing. I had a 4x8 layout with two DC cabs wired with the common wire scheme. When I switched over to DCC, I disconnected the cabs from the DC terminals on the power packs and hooked what was cab A to the DCC system. I was using Atlas Selectors for my cab selection switches so I just kept them in the A position.

I kept my switch machines (Atlas solenoid) and other accesories hooked up to the AC terminals on one of the packs.

Hope this helps. 

[Anonymous]

thanks! that confirms what my plans were and good to hear it worked for others!

[rs2mike]

WJ,

First off: to the forum!  Good to have you aboard!

My advice: Keep your DCC and DC wiring completely separate from one another.  If the layout is small, two track wires will power you layout just fine.  The light and turnout wiring should only be hooked up to the other power pack.

Since the DC and DCC are not compatible with one another, you run the risk of frying something if you inadvertently miswire it.  Also, this will make your wiring simpler, too.

FYI: Bachmann makes a reversing loop module for the E-Z Command that should connect to the I/O port in in the back of the unit.

Hope that helps...

Tom

this reverseing loop module you speak of.  If you have more than one reverse loop do you need more than one module or will one do the work.  I don't have a loop or a layout at this time but a reverse loop wiring has me a little baffeled.