Old DC locos on DCC track

[jdmilliman]

My layout is DCC.  I have a friend that is converting from DC and lots of old locos without DCC control.  What happens if you have an old DC loco on the DCC track.  Will it damage the DCC power supply.  He is converting his old locos to DCC, but hasn't done it to all.

Thanks, John

[Jacktal]

DC locos can be operated on most (if not all) DCC system with adress 00.However they are not to be left sitting on DCC powered tracks while not moving as the engine continuously receives alternating power pulses,thus accumulating heat wich will ruin the motor.Simply put...use adress 00 to operate any DC powered loco then remove it from the track.On the other hand,DC loco won't hurt DCC systems.

[OntarioTodd]

 Couldn't one rig up a magnetic switch like those used to light passenger cars onto a dc loco? You could then use the wand to turn one of them "on" when on a DCC railroad. You could park a dozen of them and only turn one on at a time to run it and then shut it off when not in use..

 

Todd

[richg1998]

 I believ there are only two or three DCC controller brands that can do zero bit stretch. It can be hard on the motors.

Rich

[richg1998]

OntarioTodd

 Couldn't one rig up a magnetic switch like those used to light passenger cars onto a dc loco? You could then use the wand to turn one of them "on" when on a DCC railroad. You could park a dozen of them and only turn one on at a time to run it and then shut it off when not in use..

 

Todd

 

Go ahead and design something. Let us know how you did it.

Rich

[cudaken]

jdmilliman

Will it damage the DCC power supply

 John, it will not hurt your DCC system. If he bring over his DC engines and if they run, they will make a humming sound that most of us do not like. As stated, do not let the DC engine just sit there, the motor will over heat. If your DCC will run a DC engine I don't think it will hurt the motor, other will tell you different. I have ran many of my old DC engines on DCC over 100 hours with no seen ill effects.

                 Cuda Ken

[mfm37]

 Couldn't one rig up a magnetic switch like those used to light passenger cars onto a dc loco? You could then use the wand to turn one of them "on" when on a DCC railroad. You could park a dozen of them and only turn one on at a time to run it and then shut it off when not in use..

 

 You could, but why not just install a decoder?  $20 and it's done.

Martin Myers