Having just dipped my toes into the world of DCC on my new layout with the EZ Command system and two engines with Bachmann decoders (two trains running at once without blocks! It's a miracle!), I turn my gimlet eye to sound ... I see plenty of engines on the auction sites labeled as "w/DCC and Sound" and my question (the first of probably many I should say) is: do I need any more equipment for the sound to work, or is it a self-contained system? when my son (see my avatar) wants to blow the deisel's horn, how does one do that through EZ Command, if at all?
Your 'DCC and Sound" engine, no matter who makes it, should work with nothing more than rails powered by a DCC source. They come with all they need except to be placed on the rails and the rails powered up.
Hook the two wire leads to the terminals on the tracks you are using, or solder the ends if you have to do that. Apply power per the instructions in the manual, and have fun.
There should be a button to blow the horn. I don't recall what it is on the EZ-Command, but on all other systems it is F2. Your button may have the outline of a horn...?
-Crandell
Be aware that some "DCC / Sound" locos come with *only* the sound decoder and you must purchase and install a DCC motor decoder separately. Most notably with BLI engines. Though their newest ones come fully-equipped. If you buy a loco (particularly a BLI loco) off ebay used or new-old-stock, you might be getting one of the locos that requires a separate motor controller.
John
I see you made the same mistake I did a couple of years ago and checked out a sound engine. Poor soul. I now have 14 of them. Sound opens up a whole other world and is great. With the EZ command you might have to hit the function key followed by the number 2 for horn. It's a basic system so nothing is easy. Before buying a sound engine I'd suggest upgrading to the NCE Powercab or similar by Digitrax or MTH. All of those are set up so that you can just hit 1 button to do thing like headlights, horn etc.
Good Luck
Springfield PA
Hamltnblueor MTH.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
simon1966Hamltnblueor MTH. Did you really mean that?
Did you really mean that?
LOL You're right, a case of temporary insanity your honor. Not guilty!!!
I meant MRC.
I had been previously talking to someone on converting an MTH from DCS to DCC and got it on the brain.
Forgive me.
Your EZ Command will operate 2-4 sound locos, and allow access to functions 1 thru 8 plus lights.
Most model have the primary sounds (horn, bell, coupler, mute) are on the lower functions, so you will be able to use most of them.
Sawyin, your E-Z will control most of the I want sounds.
1 Bell
2 Horn
3 Coupler sound
4 to 9 will depend on the manufacturers.
On the BLI Diesels, it is there Blue Line series that requires adding a motor decoder. I have ran 3 of them with my E-Z, but I would stay away from them for now. If there is a CV problem (there are pron to them) it is all most impossible to get right with the E-Z. I have done it, but you want to keep your life simple at this point.
Ken
I hate Rust