Can anyone give me some advice on a new DC system. What manufacturer should I look into, any recommendations would be appreciated.
When you say "DC System" if you mean a throttle pack, I think MRC is the only company still making them.
http://www.modelrec.com/
Humm-- did you mis- type DC meaning DCC?
woodone,
In MRRing, the term "system" general refers to DCC because it's made up of several components. For DC, all you need is a power pack and MRC is considered the de facto standard for power packs.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I will respond to your question, as asked (a system is a collection of connected parts).
I agree withthe MRC selection as a DC power pack, let your bank account and layout size choose the appropriate one. To distribute the power to the appropriate section (block) of track, I recommend using Alas Controllers and Selectors. These are assembled units which simplify wiring your road to allow operating more than one train at a time. Assuming that you will want to operate two trains at once, or park one in a siding and allow another train to pass on the main line, you will also need plastic (non-conducting) rail joiners to connect (align) the rail between blocks. Many of the Kalmbach books provide wiring information, as does Atlas. Good luck and best wishes...JWH
Tom,
I woodone am aware of what a DCC system is. I was not sure what woodman was asking about. DC or DCC.
A DC system would be no more that a power pack.
I much prefer the GML throttles in the link here. They can be walk around.
http://www.thegmlenterprises.com/index.html
Richard
woodone Tom, I woodone am aware of what a DCC system is. I was not sure what woodman was asking about. DC or DCC. A DC system would be no more that a power pack.
DC systems are often much more than a power pack. They can also cost over 200 bucks. Some have pulsating out for better slow speed control and also have momentum built in. Check the MRC website. You'd be surprised what those things go for.
Springfield PA
Oops! Sorry, woodone. I guess I didn't take a close enough look at the grain to notice the difference in "wood-types".
woodman has not cleared up the question. DC or DCC ? There are many different DC control systems out there, as well as DCC systems. Some DC are a simple power pack, others that offer walk around throttles, are much more.. The cost of some of these are real close to a DCC system. And you will still have to do block wiring.
woodman has not cleared up the question. DC or DCC ? There are many different DC control systems out there, as well as DCC systems.
Some DC are a simple power pack, others that offer walk around throttles, are much more.. The cost of some of these are real close to a DCC system. And you will still have to do block wiring.
woodone woodman has not cleared up the question. DC or DCC ? There are many different DC control systems out there, as well as DCC systems. Some DC are a simple power pack, others that offer walk around throttles, are much more.. The cost of some of these are real close to a DCC system. And you will still have to do block wiring.
I agree. The question has been asked DC or DCC because one slip on the keyboard makes a big difference. Having been in DCC for many years, I am not aware of what DC equipment there is any more, nor do I care. But before we start the usual war over "he said she said", define for sure the question.
Bob
It is a DC system, Not DCC
woodman It is a DC system, Not DCC
I thought you were pretty clear in your post BTW.
tstage woodone, In MRRing, the term "system" general refers to DCC because it's made up of several components. For DC, all you need is a power pack and MRC is considered the de facto standard for power packs. Tom
See my post on the GML product, it is purchased as a system, requiring external PS. With memory walk around throttles as well. I used this for years after I stored my MRC power but before my DCC system
woodman Can anyone give me some advice on a new DC system. What manufacturer should I look into, any recommendations would be appreciated.
I use Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless radio DC throttles. They provide great slow speed operation and are simple to use. They will handle up to 10 amps as they are designed for use with any scale/gauge.
I fuse mine at 3 amps for HO and use inexpensive 13.8 volt regulated power supplies.
I also use an advanced cab control system that allows full walk around operation with the Aristo Train Engineer. Cabs can be assigned to track sections as you walk with your train and many sections are automaticly assigned using "X-sections".
If you have any interest in using the Train Engineer wireless throttles, let me know in a Private Meassage and I will give you more details. Even though the TE is designed for all scales, Aristo does not provide much in the way of info for small scale use since they are primarily a large scale company.
I can give you some specific help regarding using the TE in HO. There are several others on this forum who also use the TE in HO or N and if you spend any time on the Garden forum, you will here it mentioned a lot.
WARNING - it does not work well with any of the DCC dual mode decoders or onboard sound systems.
Sheldon
cacole When you say "DC System" if you mean a throttle pack, I think MRC is the only company still making them. http://www.modelrec.com/
Not hardly - not mention how easy it is to build your own. There are lots of DC throttle systems on the market.
woodone Tom, A DC system would be no more that a power pack.
Not necessarily true. I use DC, I don't have a "power pack"? I use Aristo Craft Train Engineer wireless radio throttles, which are just that, only throttles, which then also require a power supply - as a seperate component.
So I have eight power supplies, eight wireless base units, and eight hand held transmitters - does that meet the "definition" of a "system"?
And my choice of "systems" is only one of many still on the market.
The "total cost" of DCC vs DC isa layout by layout issue that is driven by a great many factors. The low cost of entry level DCC systems is often given as a reason to use DCC, but when features and costs are compared, no one size fits all.
I have allready suggested to the OP in one of his recent other posts that if he likes/wants onboard sound he should go with DCC - no question about it.
BUT, if that is not cast in stone for him, or anyone, I suggest people undeerstand as much as possible about all the available choices and choose what fits their needs and budget.
For modelers with large exsisting fleets of high quality DC locos the cost of decoders alone, even self installed, can be a big number - in my case 120 locos x $20 on average = $2400. spent all at once or over time makes no difference, it's still $2400 not spent on scenery, rolling stock, signal system, track, etc, etc.
And in my case, the "layout infrastructure" to provide both train control and the signaling/CTC operation I want, would be much more expensive with DCC.
There are lots of DC throttle systems available, some have been mentioned in this thread allready.
It is up to the OP to figure out what meets his needs and wants. And, I will remind him again, if you like the sound thing, just go with DCC - if like me you don't think the sound quality is anywhere near worth the money, consider whether the other features of DCC interest you or would a good wireless DC or memory DC system work just as well.
Is it not true that MRC has a new DC walk around that will replace the Control Master 20.
Russell
I certainly don't see anything of the sort on the web site. The Control Master 20 is still listed as a current product.
MRC is definitely trying to carve out a niche for themselves in what I call the "cross-over" market - the ability to operate DCC sound decoder-equipped locomotives in DCC mode, while maintaining traditional DC capability. The Tech 6 is their latest rendition of this - it operates 1 locomotive in DCC mode or 1 locomotive in DC mode, while keeping all the usual DC control of the track. The Tech 6 is available with a handheld throttle for walkaround control. However, if you think about it, the same functionality (and more on the DCC side) is available by having stand-alone DC and DCC controllers, and using a DPDT switch to select which one will be used.
MRC also likes to portray themselves as the "easiest to use" DCC system.
Similarly, MRC's DC systems have typically had fewer user adjustments then most of the more sophisticated DC throttles. That said, MRC's default settings are usually pretty good for the vast majority of locomotives and operations.
To me, one of the special things about DC is the ability to easily build your own throttle, and pick the features and capabilities you want. DCC decoders, because of size and heat sink limitations, are pretty much limited to pulse width modulation for a pulse scheme, and use BEMF as the feedback solution when one is desired. Both are again pretty good solutions for the vast majority of cases, and the built-in digital signal processing capability of the decoder allows significant adjustments to the PWM and BEMF when the decoder design is set up for adjustability.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
I have two MRC 9500's i use only one at a time,now if the locomotives run the same speed together,i run two units at a time.Can i run the same two units together with a Tech 6.or do i need the Control Master 20.