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dc-dcc

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  • Member since
    November 2013
  • From: lake placid,n.y.
  • 47 posts
dc-dcc
Posted by STANLEY O MONTGOMERY on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 5:08 AM

can dcc n scale loco with tcs decoder run on dc i have a few and one loco I had to change cv to dc to run will it hurt decoder I have nce powercab I would like to run loco's on dc as well as dcc, do I have to change this all the time or should they run on both, thanks for all the help

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 6:42 AM

 They will run on both. It does not hurt the decoder to run on DC. There are some old decoders that could not run on DC, but the modern ones all do. It is usually recommended to turn of the DC mode (but if off, and you put the loco on DC track, it just won't run, it does not hurt the decoder) because it can prevent runaway locos, but I have never had that problem and only a few of my locos have DC turned off. The majority are set to work on either.

                            --Randy


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 8:13 AM

rrinker
They will run on both. It does not hurt the decoder to run on DC. There are some old decoders that could not run on DC, but the modern ones all do.

I think we should look at his post a little closer.  He says he has a NCE PowerCab and wants to run on DC.  Does he want to run a DC loco with the PowerCab?  That won't happen.

Does he want to connect DC to the track while he has the PowerCab connected?  Not a good idea.

Does he want to run his loco with dual mode decoder someplace else that is a DC layout?  Yes, he can do that.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 9:08 AM

STANLEY O MONTGOMERY

can dcc n scale loco with tcs decoder run on dc i have a few and one loco I had to change cv to dc to run will it hurt decoder I have nce powercab I would like to run loco's on dc as well as dcc, do I have to change this all the time or should they run on both, thanks for all the help

 

It will run. Don't ever put DC on the rails with DCC. You will most probably smoke the Power Cab.

Our club did that when part of the layout was DC and part DCC. A loco crossed into both zones and smoked the NCE 5 amp booster.

Some put a DPDT switch to select DC or DCC. Either or. You need to turn up the power pack higher than with a DC only loco. Nature of the beast.

I have the Power Cab. It will not run a DC only loco if you are wondering.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    November 2013
  • From: lake placid,n.y.
  • 47 posts
Posted by STANLEY O MONTGOMERY on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 9:26 AM
thanks for info, I sorry about confusion , was going to run dcc loco's on dc power pack layout only
  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 9:31 AM

Should work ok. The decoder requires at least 5 volts to just wake up the microprocessor. Then maybe a couple volts more to begin moving.

FYI. The below link has a block diagram of a basic decoder. A few more components for a sound decoder.

http://wayback.archive.org/web/20120729061658/http:/www.members.optusnet.com.au/mainnorth/alive.htm

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: North Dakota
  • 9,592 posts
Posted by BroadwayLion on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 9:55 AM

LION uses no DCC. Layout of him is fancy automated analog DC.

LION bought a pair of locomotives him wanted but only came with DCC. LION removed the circuit board and wired the motors to the rails.

Trains do not go very far with the motor wired to the rails. LION should have wired it to the wheels.

ROAR

The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.

Here there be cats.                                LIONS with CAMERAS

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,878 posts
Posted by maxman on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 10:25 AM

BroadwayLion
Trains do not go very far with the motor wired to the rails.

Yes they will, but you need a longer extension cord.

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