I am seriously looking into getting an MRC Tech 6 once they are available to enable me to control sounds on some dual mode diesels I have aquired recently. My layout and most locomotives are standard DC with block control and common rail with two DC cabs. The Tech 6 would replace one of the DC throttles. The track connections from the Tech 6 are the standard 2 wires. Does anyone see an issue with my common rail wiring where one throttle would be dc while the other would be the Tech 6 running dual mode? Can I assume that one of the Tech 6 track connections would simply go to the common rail without issues? Thanks.
I think I have the answer to my own question. The Dual Mode DCC output is actually AC. I don't think it would be a good idea for one of these Tech 6 track connections to be connected to the DC common rail. I would probably have to isolate all of the block common returns. While my layout is not complex (approx 12 blocks) I really don't want to redo all of that wiring.
As a big time DC user, who also has lot of DCC experience, I would say just go DCC or forget about sound.
When in DCC mode, the tech 6 is nothing more than a single address DCC system.
Sheldon
I think the same thing applies here as applies to people asking about having both DC and DCC on the same layout. Yes, you can do it, but it's one OR the other, not both at the same time by just flipping cab toggles.Various types of bad things can happen if the two get connected (say by a loco or lighted car running the gaps between adjacent blocks, one set to DC and the other to DCC). Are you perfect now, with two DC power packs, never getting intot he wrong block, always having the block selectors set correctly? Because with a mixed system, it only takes ONE simple little mistake to potentially damage something expensive.
The most common suggestion is a DPDT center off toggle, with oen side goign to the DC power pack, the other to the DCC system, and the center to the track. This way, only DC or only DCC is on the rails at any oen time. The Tech 6 sort of already handles this internally, by being both a DC power pack and a (limited) DCC system. To have other DC cabs and the Tech 6 connected at the same time, with the Tech 6 in DCC mode, is just asking for trouble.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks Randy. It seemed like a good idea at the time. It was only to gain control of the sound in 2 locomotives. No way I am going to rewire the layout or install decoders in 20+ locos. If I was 20 years younger, maybe.
I do it. My layout is wired for D.C. with many blocks but I use 4 tech 6's. Eack one enables 6 dcc locos. The wireing is based on a layout plan from the old Atlas layout book that used 4 d.c. transformers. I think it's great because I can run my D.C. and D.C.C. locos simultaniously.