I've read that some DCC/sound equipped locomotives are NOT compatable with Model Rectifier Corp.'s new Tech 6 6 amp power pack. Does anyone know if Proto2000 locomotives are compatable with the Tech 6? My layout is wired for DC, and will probably operate mostly in that mode. Most of my locos are DC, having been acquired over the last 55 years. But I've acquired several Proto2000 units, and want to be able to run with the dual mode Tech 6.
The Tech 6 should work with any DCC decoder in DCC (called "Dual" on the Tech 6) mode.
The only glitch I know of is that the address of the DCC locomotive must be set to 3 (and analog operation enabled), instead of the normal 4 digit address that you assign when you get the locomotive home. Most (but not all) DCC locomotives come with a default address of 3, so those will not be a problem. I believe there are directions with the Tech 6 on how to reset the decoder to address 3 if it's not already on 3.
The other glitch, which results from the address 3 limitation, is that only one DCC locomotive or consist (all decoders set to address 3) can be on the Tech 6-powered portion of the layout at a time. Unlike other DCC systems, there is no way to "talk" to any decoder not on address 3. The result is similar to your DC throttles - one throttle per locomotive or consist at any given time.
Fred W
Another thought:
If you have not already bought the Tech 6, a more flexible alternative is to buy an MRC Prodigy Express (PE) instead. There are better DCC systems than the PE, but I chose it as an example because it should be priced the same or less than the Tech 6. Use a DPDT switch to select the PE or one of your DC throttles to control the track (which is similar to what the mode switch on the Tech 6 does).
With the PE selected, you can have as many DCC locos as you want on the layout instead of being limited to just one at a time. You can also set each loco's DCC address to its road number so that when you go to or come home from the club or somebody else's layout you don't have to reprogram decoder addresses.
Thank you, both. I purchased a Tech 6 2.0 amp. when they first came out. Then I figured I might need some extra "umph" for some of my older DC locos, especially when I m.u. diesels with open-frame motors, etc. (I have 43 locomotives that run on DC only!!!), so I bought a 6.0 amp Tech 6! I'm wiring up my layout for DC, meaning I have it broken into blocks, with each block wired with two DPDT toggles in series. The one DPDT Center-off can be wired for either "Cab A" or "Cab B", although I only have one side wired currently. The second DPDT non-center-off is in series with the cab selector, and is "cross-wired" for polarity reversal, as the layout is a real "spagetti bowl", and there are a LOT of reversing sections, crossovers, etc., that may require polarity matching depending on the traffic flow.
I'm not too worried about running only one train at a time, as I probably won't have more than myself running a train...unless a second operator runs either of two yards, or I run the yard and the second op runs the main. Possibility is a very young grandchild, or a friend, now and then. I probably won't do true "operations" as I have trouble walking and chewing gum at the same time.
I can't see converting all those old DC locos at $17.50 ea. for a decoder, however, my wife made me the present of a couple of sound-equipped Proto2000 engines with sound, so that will be my primary reason for any kind of DCC.
Thanks, again!