Greetings to all! I have a Lenz LH90 set and I am thinking about using a number of NCE UTP's on my layout and I was curious if anyone else has the same setup or similar and what their thoughts are about 'mixed systems'. I know that most DCC systems are compatable but there is nothing like talking to people who have 'been there and done it'!
Any help will be greatly appreciated!
BigStew
The quick answer is yes you can use those UTP's with your Lenz system BUT not for the reasons you stated.
DCC systems have a track output that is a standard. That part is the same across systems. Any nmra compatible decoder should work with any system. That's about it for interchangeability.
They also have a command bus. Command bus is proprietary to each manufacturer and can't be mixed. In your case, UTP's for an NCE command bus are simply four 6p6c jacks connected in parallel on a small circuit board so they can be used as jacks for other systems using up to 6 wires. You should not attempt to connect auxilliary power or an indicator led until you check to see which wire is which on your Lenz command bus. Don't even think about trying to use a Digitrax UP panel with Lenz or NCE. They are not compatible.
UTP and cables for the throttle buss is the only common item between the two systems. As long as your throttles have the Dinn plug or the RJ plug. If you have Dinn plugs than I would look for Atlas throttle plates. They can usually be had for $15.
I wish some electronic genius can make some box so I can use my Power Cab as a Procab at the clubs Lenz powered layout. We have the CVP wireless throttles for Lenz. I bought a CVP throttle off Ebay a couple years back but it only has 4 functions.
Pete
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