I've moved to Germany and obviously want to run my US engines on a layout here. Is it as simple as buying a German transformer and DCC and attaching it to the track?
All your decoder cares about is getting A/C square wave in DCC format and within the voltage range for which it is specified to run. If you can use a step-down transformer to get your wall socket from 220-240 down to 16 volts at the track, you should be fine. If you hope to use a N. American system, you'll need to be mindful of supplying it with what a N. American outlet would supply it with a power supply designed for that purpose.
Or, if you don't mind the expense, purchase a German system, say Lenz, and it should do all that for you...provide about 16 volts in a square wave DCC format at the tracks, and your decoders will be able to use that as they would in America.
Presuming you have an existing system, the first thing to do is check what it requires for input power. Some of today's electronic equipment is designed to work anywhere in the world with nothing more than an adapter to mate the plug to the socket. Other equipment will have specific requirements, and you must be able to match its voltage and frequency requirements.
What do you have and what does its manual say?
Check the power pack for your system. If it is a universal power pack, you will see something like 100vav to 240vac. Also have to adapt the prongs.
If only 120vac, you need a step down transformer or a power pack that provides what your DCC system requires. We need to know what your system is.
I remember many years ago military people coming and going would sell there stuff to each other.
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.
Dealers to contact
http://www.aat-net.de/
http://www.kieskemper-shop.de/public/start.aspx?suid=1160&zid=96321b75-ef63-4134-b4ba-e2e995a51b31
http://www.modellbahn-atelier-berlin.de/
Send them an e-mail if you don't see what you want. I use English first and
a google translation underneath. So far they have everything available in the US
for DCC operations.
Thanks for all the help...I've got my way ahead.
And, JDBerlin, thanks for the links to the German stores. As I travel around Germany I'll have to include these in my travels. Unfortunately, none are near Stuttgart!
But I'll survive