dual DCC

[jhorvath]

Thanks to all who have responded. I appreciate your time and knowledge. Perhaps in the "near" future (i.e. before my son has a 5 year old he's building a set for) DCC mfg's will use more than the current 13 functions and a simple SW update is all that will be needed.

[mfm37]

Short answer- No.

There can be only one command station. Even having two command stations from the same manufacturer won't work.

You could; however, have two systems installed on the layout as long as only one is powering the track at the same time. It would be similar to having both a DC power system or DCC system running the track. This would require a great deal of research and planning not to mention doubling the cost.

This does make the command bus (throttle jacks) tricky and  would most likely require two complete sets of jacks and cables. Most of the systems use 4 or 6 wire phone cables but the wires are not the same on each system. e.g. NCE has pin 5 carrying 12 volts DC+ and Digitrax uses pin 5 as a ground. Connect the two and you get instant damage to one or both command stations. Plugging a throttle into the wrong jack may cause damage as well.

It is possible to choose one manufacturer's Command station and throttles then use other manufacturer's Boosters on the same layout. Digitrax, Lenz, NCE, and some others have instructions in the advanced sections of their manuals for connecting foreign boosters. You can still only have one command station.

Martin Myers

[cacole]

If the trackage powered by two different DCC systems is completely isolated from each other, there would be no problem, but if the two different systems were trying to power the same piece of track they would be out of phase and could both release their magic smoke.

Now watch someone come along and claim that we're all wrong because he does it all the time. 

[jeffrey-wimberly]

I tried two Bachmann DCC systems together. They didn't like it. Nuff said.

[locoi1sa]

  Most DCC systems are not compatible with others. You cannot use a digitrax throttle on a lenz or NCE system. Some pieces like boosters and power supplies are interchageable. I have atlas throttle plates on my modules that hook up to the Lenz system the club uses pluss an NCE throttle plate that I use at home. CVP makes throttles that can be used with other brands of comand stations.

  As for decoders they are all compatible to a degree.

  Pete
 

[jhorvath]

Is it possible to use more than one DCC on a layout at a time? For example some combination of EasyDCC, MRC, NCE, etc?

 Thanks,

Jonathan