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new to dcc

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  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Friday, October 28, 2011 1:32 PM

railroadman1

I wouldn't advise running a DC engine on DCC. It can be done on some systems (Digitrax) by using a DCC address of 00, but only for 1 analog engine on the layout. Prolonged running of DC engines on DCC will result in a burned out motor.   If you are running a DCC engine on DC be sure the CV is programmed for DC.

Railroadman1

I have a Digitrax Super Chief.  All my locos are now DCC, even the grandchildren's Thomas the Tank Engine and Hogwarts Express, but during the transition I ran DC units on DCC address 0 for years and never hurt one.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Pittsburgh, PA
  • 1,796 posts
Posted by JoeinPA on Friday, October 28, 2011 1:37 PM

simon1966

 

 railroadman1:

 

I wouldn't advise running a DC engine on DCC. It can be done on some systems (Digitrax) by using a DCC address of 00, but only for 1 analog engine on the layout. Prolonged running of DC engines on DCC will result in a burned out motor.   If you are running a DCC engine on DC be sure the CV is programmed for DC.

Railroadman1

 

 

My DCC system is best part of a decade old.   We regularly run DC locos on our Digitrax system and I have never had a burned out motor. 

There are enough postings warning about it, that one must assume that it can happen, but in my experience it is not the case.  I have never actually met or spoken to anyone who has actually had this happen to them either.  I am not sure if there is a real risk of this, or if it has become urban legend worthy of a Myth Busters episode?

Didn't Jeffrey W. do an experiment on this some time ago?

Joe

  • Member since
    May 2007
  • 201 posts
Posted by EMD#1 on Monday, October 31, 2011 7:49 AM

I started years ago with the Atlas DCC system and as my layout grew and I wanted a system that would handle more functions I switched to a Lenz system since it was compatible with my Atlas controllers.  If I was starting out today though I would either go with an NCE system or the MRC system as they seem to be the most user friendly.  I would recommend purchasing one of the DCC books made by Kalmbach before purchasing any system so you can see the difference of each.

Happy Model Railroading!

Tim

  • Member since
    March 2011
  • 7 posts
Posted by Mackadoo on Friday, November 18, 2011 7:01 AM
jalajoie

 railroadman1:

I wouldn't advise running a DC engine on DCC. It can be done on some systems (Digitrax) by using a DCC address of 00, but only for 1 analog engine on the layout. Prolonged running of DC engines on DCC will result in a burned out motor.   If you are running a DCC engine on DC be sure the CV is programmed for DC.

Railroadman1

I read/hear this often, while I don't run any engines at address 00, a member of our club has been running all his locos on address 00 for at least 10 years. In fact none of his locos are decoder equiped and he never had any problem or overheated a loco.

jalajoie

 railroadman1:

I wouldn't advise running a DC engine on DCC. It can be done on some systems (Digitrax) by using a DCC address of 00, but only for 1 analog engine on the layout. Prolonged running of DC engines on DCC will result in a burned out motor.   If you are running a DCC engine on DC be sure the CV is programmed for DC.

Railroadman1

I read/hear this often, while I don't run any engines at address 00, a member of our club has been running all his locos on address 00 for at least 10 years. In fact none of his locos are decoder equiped and he never had any problem or overheated a loco.

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