Curious if anyone has any feedback on the MRC Tech 6. I am building a new layout and prefer to stay in DC due to my large stock of DC power. However, I want to branch out into sound utilization. I guess this power pack can run both DC and DCC although a DC engine must be on an unpowered block when in dual mode. Are there ways to get sound from a DC locomotive? I have researched a little about dual mode decoders, but cannot find basic info.
Modeling Southeastern Connecticut Shortlines...
I am DC only and have used diesels that are sound equipped with dual mode decoders and have been very happy.
I cannot speak for the Tech 6, as I use older MRC power supplies.
The results depend on the diesel. The Proto 2000 Alco RS-27 with sound ran very well for me in plain DC mode. The Athearns with sound did not do as well. I have not tried an Atlas engine with sound in plain DC mode. The BLI RSD-15's ran just fine in plain DC mode.
The BLI Paragon2 Y-6B steam engine runs just fine in plain DC mode, and sounds terrific--but you need to buy their sound controller (about $35) to operate the whistle.
It all depends on what you want.
I will never go DCC--it is an added cost I cannot justify. I run mostly Atlas diesels in plain DC. The non-sound ones still run together pretty well. With sound, starting voltages would be higher--and individual units would not mu as well. You cannot run sound with non-sound at the same time in DC mode, as starting voltages and speed curves will differ.
John
Sort of penny-wise, pound-foolish gettign the Tech 6 if you already own a bunch of locos with sound decoders. For little more than the cost of the Tech 6 (which can only run 1 DCC loco at a time) you can get a Digitax Zephyr or NCE PowerCab. For the same or less than the new version of the Tech 6 that had the handheld (and can control more than one DCC loco at a time) you can get the Zephyr or PowerCab. Decoders for the non-sound DC locos can be as low as $12 each for GOOD ones. And the Zephyr can run a DC loco. And no one says you need to convert all your locos in one fell swoop. Not too many people can afford that. A few here, a few there, eventually they will all be done but in the meantime you have the first couple PLUS all the sound ones to run.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks all. I guess what all this boils down to is the fear of the unknown. I have been a DC modeler my whole life and have all DC engines, but the more I hear from the crowd, the more I think I am swinging towards taking the leap of faith to a full-blown DCC layout and converting the fleet, expecially if the Zephyr runs DC engines as at least a temporary stop-gap. Plus, by going DCC, wiring the layout becomes much more simple, right?
If your layout is currently wired for DC< and you have enough feeders (especially if there is a common rail - so many DC layouts using common rail have exactly 1 feeder on the common side, and then a dozen feeders for a dozen blocks on the other side - and people wonder why the trains slow down at distant spots), you can leave everythign as-is and connect the DCC system in place of the DC power pack. Or you can get a DPDT CENTER OFF (center off is important, as it prevents any possible shorts when flippign the switch, which can have disasterous results) toggle. Connect your DC pack to one side, connect the DCC system to the other, and connect the middle to the layout. Flip one way, you have a DC layout. Fllp the other, you have a DCC layout. DO NOT be tempted to connect the DC and DCC systems such that one block is DC while another is DCC - anything with metal wheels crossing the gap will fry your DCC system. Don't assume you will always stop at the right place.
Teh Tech 6 is essentially a very limited DCC system and a DC pack in one box, with the aformentioned toggle switch built in. When you run a DCC loco with it, it actually is putting a DCC signal on the track. When you switch to a 'conventional' loco it stops the DCC signal and puts DC to the track output.
Randy - Layout doesn't exist yet. Still putting the finishing touches on the trainroom - 14 X 28 ft track plan - so I will be starting from scratch. I think I am now convinced that I am going to run the Digitrax Zephyr. Now my wiring job will be really easy - simply isolated power blocks, right?
Marine Tanker, that is a good sizes layout. Do you want a walk around throttle? With the Zephyr, you can add a walk, but you will spend more in the long run.
Might look at a Digitrax Empire Builder, comes with a walk around throttle. One of the benefits with you getting ready to build, you can run a train on the section you just laid. That way if there is a problem with the new rails you can be there to see what is going on. When I was building my good sizes layout I sure wish I could been at the problem spot.
I as well was a DC hold out. Now that I am DCC it adds a lot to running trains.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
Marine_Tanker Randy - Layout doesn't exist yet. Still putting the finishing touches on the trainroom - 14 X 28 ft track plan - so I will be starting from scratch. I think I am now convinced that I am going to run the Digitrax Zephyr. Now my wiring job will be really easy - simply isolated power blocks, right?
Well if it's not even built yet - the only place you need to set up isolated 'blocks' with gaps is to break the layotu up into sections to use individual circuit breakers fromt he DCC system - that way if a train derails and shorts out the track in one section, the rest of the layout keeps on operating. If you're only ever really goign to run one train by yourself it doesn't really matter. What you DO want regardless is fairly heavy wire for a power bus, #14 at least for that size layout, with frequent (every 3-6 feet) feeders to the track above. Keep it simple.
Randy - Thanks for the advice. Mission accomplished. I printed your post for future reference. My basement is currently being finished but I should be starting benchwork by Christmas time. I am now excited to be finally decided on my operating system. - Matt
Cuda Ken - Since all of my engines are DC (until I can convert them) I like how the Zephyr will allow me to program them as 0000 and run them on the DCC system. I also plan to install the UP-5 port at the far end of the layout with a UT-4 handheld so I can operate trains remotely from the parent unit (will install more if I need them). As I understand, there are also IR or radio operated handhelds that can provide even more mobility. Matt (Marine Tanker)
Just an FYI, ALL of the Digitrax systems can run a DC loco on address 00, not just the Zephyr.
It all depends on how many trains you intend to run at the same time. One train, with maybe 2 or 3 powered units pulling it? The Zephyr has plenty of capacity to run them, even if all three are sound equpped. 3 or 4 trains, with double and triple-headers? You'll probbaly want a 5 amp susyem instead of the Zephyr.
rrinker Just an FYI, ALL of the Digitrax systems can run a DC loco on address 00, not just the Zephyr. It all depends on how many trains you intend to run at the same time. One train, with maybe 2 or 3 powered units pulling it? The Zephyr has plenty of capacity to run them, even if all three are sound equpped. 3 or 4 trains, with double and triple-headers? You'll probbaly want a 5 amp susyem instead of the Zephyr. --Randy So i can get this Digitrax system and run a DC locomotive without going to DCC ,and can you do the same thing with a wireless one.And by the way what is a Teck 6.
It all depends on how many trains you intend to run at the same time. One train, with maybe 2 or 3 powered units pulling it? The Zephyr has plenty of capacity to run them, even if all three are sound equpped. 3 or 4 trains, with double and triple-headers? You'll probbaly want a 5 amp susyem instead of the Zephyr. --Randy
So i can get this Digitrax system and run a DC locomotive without going to DCC ,and can you do the same thing with a wireless one.And by the way what is a Teck 6.
Russell