I'm pretty new here but I've been around model trains since I was young. My grandfather started me out with small, simple kits almost every holiday since I was about 5. Since then my collection has grown. I've never had my own layout but it's always been my dream to rebuild my grandfathers layout that he built about 40 years ago. It's nothing huge, only 4x8 HO scale layout but ever since I was young I've never seen it opperate. I would really like to convert it to DCC and have been reading up on how to do so but I would really like some help and reasurance from the community. Everything seems to be okay other than I am unsure about the turnouts on the layout, and a section of track that crosses over itself in an "X". As far as I know all the wiring is original from the time it was built and has not been updated since. Any and all advise would be appreciated.
You need to install a decoder in each locomotive. Old models are not going to be simple plugins. You will need to solder decoders in.
The x-track and turnouts should be no problem.
Wiring standards are better now.
I would be concerned about the condition of the engines. Mine were 50 years old and none ran well enough to make them reliable DCC models. My motive power is all new equipment.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Welcome. Post details of your locos. Maybe pull the shells and see what the inside looks like.
Most decoders are one amp limit.
How I check for motor current at twelve volts DC. I have used these meters for a few years. I press lightly on a wheel.
You can do it with one meter set up to read current.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_HF/index.htm
Also both motor brushes have to be isolated from both loco frame halves. Some locos are built like that.
A visual or ohm meter check will show isolation. One of my modifications was like that. I almost fried a decoder.
Non sound decoders twenty and up a little. Sound, a lot more.
Track pickups might be an issue. Decoders do not like the slightest interruption. Dirty track, wheels, etc. Then keep alive enters the discussion.
A decoder will not make a poor running loco run better. A few have asked over the years.
My layout, I left the #22 wire in place. Only ran three locos max. Many say at least #14. Go figure.
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.
1. Does the layout and rolling stock work NOW on DC? Can you run a locomotive all over the trackage without having to throw a toggle switch?
2. If it does, the simplest thing to do to convert is to buy a new DCC locomotive and a new DCC throttle/power supply. After trying these on a section of separate flex track, disconnect your old DC supply and hook those wires from the layout to your DCC throttle/power supply.
3. Once you're all DCC-ified, THEN you might want to convert your original DC locos to DCC. They'll wait.
Ed
I will add, I left the connector on the facia in place so I could unplug the NCE Power Cab and plug in a power pack for running a DC loco once in a while. Decoders can run on DC. I have disabled all my decoders so they do not respond to DC. That is another issue.
I have to remove the DC loco after. It does not like DCC voltage.
How many engines do you have and what are they? If it's only one or two engines, consider getting new ones. You can always go back later and upgrade the older ones.
I had a number of old engines that barely ran on DC, let alone DCC. I removed the motors and gears and now run them as dummy engines, or "honorary" engines to connect with their ancient background.
By the way, there's a short probation time here for New members if you're having trouble posting.
Tony is not asking about engines, although it is a logical assumption that either his engines or his grandfathers are DC.
We don't know anything about how granddad wired his layout. It could be a state of the art (for that era) of blocks or it could be two wires to a terminal strip piece of track.
DCC doesn't like voltage drops over distances. Most layouts have a bus 12 or 14 ga and feeders. We need more information on how yours is wired and what wire sizes you have. Are there blocks?
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
To answer a few questions, I already have a few DCC equipt trains, I might try to switch one of his older engines to DCC just to try it. I haven't gone under the table yet because it still needs to be cleaned out but there's quite a bit of wiring under there so I assume it's wired in blocks, but am not 100% sure yet. I appreciate all the advise everyone has given me so far and am looking forward to this project. As problems come up I will gladly come back here for assistance.
Give it a try.
My layout was wired for DC and larger than 4 x 8. I used #22. I plugged in my NCE Power Cab and can run up to three DCC locos. I left it as is. Nothing else uses the DCC power.
Rich.