Whether you are using DC or DCC, the preferred wiring is to keep track power for trains and locomotives, and use other power sources and wiring for everything else.
In particular, the DCC power bus is not DC, and is too high a voltage for your Tortoise switch machines. Secondly, DCC power is expensive to produce compared to common DC or AC needed by your accessories.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
davidmbedard wrote: You can, but through decoders.David B
You can, but through decoders.
David B
Actually a bridge rectifier and a few other components could pull off the DC voltage necessary to do this but I generally wouldn't recommend it. You could also pull it off the input side of what powers the booster (depending upon your DCC system). Again, not recommended but not difficult to do.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
73
Bruce in the Peg
I went the DS64 route and use the cascaded routes, that the DS64s support. My longest route is the "reset route" which resets all switches back to normal. It covers 12 turnouts on 3 DS64s and cascades to a turnout controlled by a DS44. I agree using the DT400 to throw a string of turnouts is nice, along with not having to build diode matricies. The DS64s can use local power and not pull power from the DCC track power, if you supply 12V DC.
http://digitrax.com/menu_statdecoders.php
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
how can I use a separate power supply with a decoder? Seems to me that the DCC signal would not be getting to the decoder that way. The NCE decoders run off "track power" so the DCC comes to it from there.
Blind Bruce wrote: how can I use a separate power supply with a decoder? Seems to me that the DCC signal would not be getting to the decoder that way. The NCE decoders run off "track power" so the DCC comes to it from there.
If you go to the link I posted earlier, you can download the stationary decoder manual.
A stationary decoder can be powered by the rails, but if you have several of them, it becomes a great drain on power. A small power supply like the ones that allow you to plug in electronic consumer gadgets can be attached to the decoder for power. The instructions are easy to follow. They are in the decoder documentation.
The commands arrive through the Loconet cable.
JMB wrote:Wow..what a great response.Thanks gang..now I have a lot to think about..& to plan for!THink I will start slowly with a separate DC Power Supply & gradually move to DCC switch controls once I get a little more familiar with this DCC stuff!Thanks again to all who replied....John
This is exactly the approach I took. The fist half of my layout uses a DC power supply and DPDT switches.
Then went to DS64s and DCC control for the second half.
You'll notice the only toggle switches are the block power switches on the second control panel. I am thinking about retrofitting the first control panel with DS64s but haven't made the decision yet.
Feel free to post any questions you have on Tortoises, stationary controllers and control panels.
Although I have not the time, the need, or the money to convert to DCC for train operation, I am seriously considering the advantage of using a DCC system to operate tortoise switch machines.
As I understand it, I could program routes through station throats and staging ladders and thus not need the diode matrixes and Capacitor discharge units needed for twin coil machines.
And, it could save a ton of control panel toggles and wiring. I would probably use the tortoise contacts to wire frogs and to light panel LEDs, however, to show routing and to interlock with the signal system.
Does this idea have any merit?
I power all of my 24 tortoise off the local DCC bus in the vicinity of the switch. Power consumption is minute. Originally I powered the Hares directly from the track but since I use current flow occupancy detection, the Hare shows up as a train!
The Tortoise works very well with the Hare or the Wrabbit decoders. They are extremely easy to install, work with most if not all DCC systems, easy to install and have more features than any other decoder solution. Yes they are expensive Hare at 25 bucks, but the cost reduced wabbit is about 12.50 and the extra features made it a no brainer for me.
Here is a link to my blog where I attempt to explain the differences between the Hare and the Wabbit.
http://wwwjoe-daddy.blogspot.com/2007/12/ll-hare-vs-wabbit.html
Joe
BigRusty wrote: Although I have not the time, the need, or the money to convert to DCC for train operation, I am seriously considering the advantage of using a DCC system to operate tortoise switch machines. As I understand it, I could program routes through station throats and staging ladders and thus not need the diode matrixes and Capacitor discharge units needed for twin coil machines. And, it could save a ton of control panel toggles and wiring. I would probably use the tortoise contacts to wire frogs and to light panel LEDs, however, to show routing and to interlock with the signal system.Does this idea have any merit?
Yes, you are essentially correct. I wire my LEDs in series with the Tortoise motor. The Tortoise does the current limiting so no resistors are needed. You can use the Tortoise contacts, if you desire. Some folks shy away from using them for powering frogs due to their current limit of one amp for switching but they can carry 4 amps after being switched. This should be more than enough for powering frogs.