I'm new to Model Railroading and have never used DCC. I recently was given several Atlas Locootives.
Three of them have "DCC Ready" on the box (I know that means I can put DCC decoders in them)
My question is can any of the other's be converted to DCC? If not is it possible to run them on a DCC
layout?
Almost any loco can be converted to DCC. Some easily, some are a bit more of a challenge.
Jeff But it's a dry heat!
Thank you. Cay you recomend a book or rtical that may help with the process?
The claim of being "DCC ready" is misleading because it was not standardized across the various manufacturers. In some cases the claim is quite close to the truth, while on others it was clearly a way to move product. The latter need a fair bit of work. Some come with boards that you can plug a standard decoder into, while others need gutting or milling of the frame. In some, the motor was absolutely not isolated from the frame, and that must be undertaken first before you hook it up to a decoder.
backtonscaleThank you. Cay you recomend a book or rtical that may help with the process?
It's pretty much a case-by-case thing. Google is your friend, almost everything has been done. If that doesn't give a usable answer, post here!
In a nutshell, you isolate track power from the motor, hook track power to the decoder, hook the decoder to the motor, hook up the lights, and drive away! Finding the physical space for the decoder is often the issue, especially in N scale.
Here are some links i have accumulated. Take your time. Analog to digital is a big leap. There is a lot to consider. The below fellow has a lot of experience and is in some of the Yahoo DCC groups.
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/dcc/presentations.html
More info below.
http://www.awrr.com/dccintro1.html
A LHS will no doubt have books on DCC. I get all my DCC info off the 'Net. I search using Google.
Below is an example.
http://books.google.com/books?q=dcc+model+railroad+information&btnG=Search+Books
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.