Thanks Joe, as to the above discussion about the usb interface v/s the serial interface, which have you used ? Is one better to use than the other ? Of course old Murphy jumped into this because my basement computer has no serial port just 8 USB ports. So if I had to go serial I'd have to get a USB to serial converter. Ordered Vol. 3 today as well.
Ordered the PowerPro and 8 decoders Sunday , They shipped today monday , ALREADY !!!! Delivery expected Wednesday. Wow Tony's was quick.
Jerry SP FOREVER http://photobucket.com/albums/f317/GAPPLEG/
jfugate wrote: HE:We're talking HO, right?How many locos do you anticipate running at the same time?Do you expect to be running sound locos routinely? Generally, you want yards or major switching areas to be their own booster power district. Beyond that, you break up the other areas based on how many trains will be running and the total current needs of the other areas.
HE:
We're talking HO, right?
How many locos do you anticipate running at the same time?
Do you expect to be running sound locos routinely?
Generally, you want yards or major switching areas to be their own booster power district. Beyond that, you break up the other areas based on how many trains will be running and the total current needs of the other areas.
No rush for a comment here, just didn't want this thread to get burried on page 29 with the tropical fish for sale ads.
GAPPLEG wrote:Thanks Joe, as to the above discussion about the usb interface v/s the serial interface, which have you used ? Is one better to use than the other ? Of course old Murphy jumped into this because my basement computer has no serial port just 8 USB ports. So if I had to go serial I'd have to get a USB to serial converter. Ordered Vol. 3 today as well.Ordered the PowerPro and 8 decoders Sunday , They shipped today monday , ALREADY !!!! Delivery expected Wednesday. Wow Tony's was quick.
GAPP:
Never really used DecoderPro except with a serial-to-usb convertor. I got a good one -- Keyspan -- and it works great. No complaints!
Good to hear you're jumping into DCC ... you're gonna love it! You may hit a few speedbumps along the way, but hang in there -- DCC is one of the best things to happen to the hobby in the last decade!
I love my wireless DCC ...
Joe Fugate Modeling the 1980s SP Siskiyou Line in southern Oregon
We get the "what's the best DCC system?" question a lot, and for people who don't want to wade through 20 pages of forum posts, I've put together a concise summary of your options here.
If you are in a hurry (I don't recommend getting in a hurry) or if you want the bottom line first, then this summary might be helpful. If you can afford to take a bit more time to read up on the subject, then reading through this thread can be helpful, too.
jfugate wrote: GAPPLEG wrote: Thanks Joe, as to the above discussion about the usb interface v/s the serial interface, which have you used ? Is one better to use than the other ? Of course old Murphy jumped into this because my basement computer has no serial port just 8 USB ports. So if I had to go serial I'd have to get a USB to serial converter. Ordered Vol. 3 today as well.Ordered the PowerPro and 8 decoders Sunday , They shipped today monday , ALREADY !!!! Delivery expected Wednesday. Wow Tony's was quick. GAPP:Never really used DecoderPro except with a serial-to-usb convertor. I got a good one -- Keyspan -- and it works great. No complaints!Good to hear you're jumping into DCC ... you're gonna love it! You may hit a few speedbumps along the way, but hang in there -- DCC is one of the best things to happen to the hobby in the last decade!I love my wireless DCC ...
GAPPLEG wrote: Thanks Joe, as to the above discussion about the usb interface v/s the serial interface, which have you used ? Is one better to use than the other ? Of course old Murphy jumped into this because my basement computer has no serial port just 8 USB ports. So if I had to go serial I'd have to get a USB to serial converter. Ordered Vol. 3 today as well.Ordered the PowerPro and 8 decoders Sunday , They shipped today monday , ALREADY !!!! Delivery expected Wednesday. Wow Tony's was quick.
Well the power pro is up and running , and as you always said Joe , it's easy to use and a real gas. Because my decoders were all backordered by Tony I only have one DCC unit , a Bachmann GE 70 tonner. But I hooked up the Computer with decoder Pro and read it out and programmed what little you can do with a Bachmann. Decoder Pro is fantastic. Going to follow you Vol 3 instructions on the headlights to the letter got the bulbs in the mail yesterday , soon I'll convert my SD-7 to a reasonable -9 and have the flashing mars lights too !
After more than 10 years out of the hobby, except for the occassional purchase of Model Railroader, I have decided to get back in. Since I sold off my entire layout I will be starting from scratch. I will be using DCC and have found this forum to be very informative. From what I have read here, and elsewhere, the Digitrax Super Chief seems to be what I am leaning toward. One of the things that concerns me is controling turnouts. Is it possible to regulate train speed and switch turnouts at the same time?
Thanks
'there's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear' Modeling the Hard Knox Valley Railroad in HO scale http://photos.hardknoxvalley.com/
mainetrains wrote: After more than 10 years out of the hobby, except for the occassional purchase of Model Railroader, I have decided to get back in. Since I sold off my entire layout I will be starting from scratch. I will be using DCC and have found this forum to be very informative. From what I have read here, and elsewhere, the Digitrax Super Chief seems to be what I am leaning toward. One of the things that concerns me is controling turnouts. Is it possible to regulate train speed and switch turnouts at the same time?Thanks
Yes you can control speed and direction while in switch mode. You cannot control functions such as lights horn, bell, etc., until you exit switch mode.
Jerry
Rio Grande vs. Santa Fe.....the battle is over but the glory remains!
With the DT400 you can control two trains (direction and speed) and throw switches at the same time. I do it all the time. I have a Super Chief Radio system.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
jbinkley60 wrote: mainetrains wrote: After more than 10 years out of the hobby, except for the occassional purchase of Model Railroader, I have decided to get back in. Since I sold off my entire layout I will be starting from scratch. I will be using DCC and have found this forum to be very informative. From what I have read here, and elsewhere, the Digitrax Super Chief seems to be what I am leaning toward. One of the things that concerns me is controling turnouts. Is it possible to regulate train speed and switch turnouts at the same time?ThanksWith the DT400 you can control two trains (direction and speed) and throw switches at the same time. I do it all the time. I have a Super Chief Radio system.
I have to concur.. I don't know if the feature is present in other systems but when in switch mode my DT400 keypad controls the switches while the throttles and direction buttons continue to control whatever they are hooked to. Its pretty easy to operate although I wish they had designed the keypad to be less of a "forest of buttons" so its easier to pick out which part of the throttle is 0..9 and enter..
That being said.. I did DCC turnouts on this small layout to allow me to experiment with JMRIand gain experience with DCC controls. I am looking at using manual controls, pushrod on facia if my experiment works out. As convenient as it is, DCC turnouts are expensive for the motor and the decoder and I don't like to have to keep looking at my throttle.
Interestingly, the previous issue of Trains gave a Prototype precedence for DCC control. It was a radio controlled remote turnout control in the cab of the locmotive. You dial the address of the switch as you approach using an encrypted transmitter and the turnout flips. It was installed on sidings and branch routes so the train didnt have to stop to throw turnouts..
Chris