Needed:Step by Step DCC Wiring Book Needed

[mobilman44]

Capt.,

Yes, the DCC book by Lionel Strang is the one I have (revised 2005). 

When I first got it last year, I studied it pretty good and came to the conclusion that DCC was just over my head.  Like I said in another post, I could wire a house, but electronics are my weak point.  However, when I realized I will probably be rebuilding my layout, I revisited going to DCC thru various postings in this Forum, and by going over that book again (and again, and again).  I find much more of it is clearer to me, but there is still a lot that I don't understand.  This whole concept - to do it right - takes a lot of education, questions, and advice from those in the know.  Thank goodness for this forum, for without it there is no way I would consider going to DCC.

I'm fortunate in that I have time on my side.  The layout rebuild will not start until the Spring, and I've got to demolish the old one (11x15 double level in spare room), complete the new design, build benchwork, lay track, and then do the wiring.  Of course when I lay track I will have to know if the layout is DC or DCC, as the blocks will need to be put in place at that time (by this I mean putting in the plastic track joiners at the block separations).

As of now, I lean towards a Digitrax or NCE, mainly because they seem to be the systems of choice for those folks whose layouts are in MR and RMC and GMR, and they have excellent reputations.  As I have two 5 amp MRC Controlmaster 20s running my DC layout, I will probably have two 5 (or 8) amp power supplies / boosters on the new DCC layout.  As far as blocks are concerned, I may wire it for 4 blocks, but that is just a guess at this time.

Hey, good luck to us on our education and potential switch!!!  And again, I wish to thank the folks on this forum who have been so helpful.  As I wrote, without them I would not even consider DCC!!!

Mobilman44 

[Capt. Grimek]

mobilman, It's nice to have some verification that my initial confusion is/was shared by others. The specific points/"laundry list" you mention are just the things that need step by step photos and "talk ya through its" in books. One photo and an electrical diagram doesn't cut it. I do have Kalmbach's "DCC Made Easy" by Lionel Strang and feel that it is severely lacking even though I think the vast majority of Kalmbach's books are great. Is this the book you're referring to or is there another I'm not aware of? Thanks. This IS one of those things that once you know what you didn't know (or understand) you realize that it's pretty simple overall. The job of books is to make that obvious from the "get go". Less is not more when it comes to instruction. Sometimes in order to show how simple something is, some detail is in order if for no other reason than to convince or reassure you that something IS simple.

[mobilman44]

Capt.,

 I feel your pain......   I've started a couple of related postings concerning starting out in DCC, evaluating systems, etc., etc.  And, I've got a lot of good replies with advice and answers. 

I've got the Kalmbach BASIC DCC book (2005) and it reminds me of the manuals that used to come with computers years ago.  They spent two or three chapters telling you how to open the box, and the remaining chapters were filled with buzzwords and jargon that were totally confusing.

Ok, I'm going overboard here...... The Kalmbach book is really good, and I could see someone revisiting it many many times after they get DCC hooked up.  As some folks have mentioned, DCC is a no brainer, just run two wires to your layout and you are in business.  Well, that is true to a point.  But there is so much more involved. 

In example, the quality of your wiring, frequency of feeders to the track, and quality of track connections (and cleaniness of track) are more important with DCC.  And then you get involved with setting up blocks, wiring turnouts (are they insulated or not?), reverse loops, turntables, sound, signals, etc., etc. 

I do believe I will get into DCC when I rebuild my 11x15 layout after the Holidays, even though I realize that getting it to work properly - including decoder installation and programming - is going to be a major job.  Of course those with experience would have a much easier time with the same task, and I certainly realize that when I am finished, I will be much more educated - and what is a major mountain now will be more of a hill when I am done.

Anyway, Kalmbach does have a DCC book (about $18), and while its a few years old the concepts are the same today.  I urge you to order one, you won't regret it. 

Mobilman44

[Capt. Grimek]

Thanks everyone. After looking over some friend's layouts and getting a diagram or two drawn for me while I watched, it took the fear and confusion out of what's now looking far simpler than it sounded from prior reading/looking online. It seemed like there were far more than the basic "two steps" (buss and feeder wiring") by the time I got to auto reversers, circuit breakers, etc. etc. I appreciate everyone's taking the time and effort to advise and chill me out! ;-)

[Texas Zepher]

...new ...coming out so fast that by the time the book is printed and out the door it is obsolete, ah remember the early computer years?

Actually, some of the best computer books in my library are the old ones.  Remember "The Art Of Computer Programming" by Don Knuth 1968?  Things like that are still as applicable today as they were then.  Books and references that stick to the fundamentals transend the "at the moment" application type stuff.  

[johncolley]

Jim, Re: q 1 : the problem with all the DCC books I've seen so far are that the upgrades/new models are coming out so fast that by the time the book is printed and out the door it is obsolete, ah remember the early computer years?

q 2: I was visualizing your command/programming station somewhere near the middle of your layout, so think of a "T" for each wire with the leg attaching to your command station and the tops going each way to the ends of the layout. You can use western union splice(soldered)  or the simplest is either a terminal block or suitcase connector! Fun, huh? John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[wjstix]

Hi Guys,

John, it was "where" does one join the ends of the buss wires that I haven't been able to ascertain from online reading. I'm sure I missed it somewhere but don't know where. I've read through most of the internet sites posted here (thanks) although there were a few "new" ones to me that I'll read today.

The bus wires connect to the two terminals on your DCC controller. They then run under the layout following your trackage. Every so many feet you run wires from the bus wires up to the trackage to give them power. As in DC, just besure to connect one track to the + bus and the other track to the - bus. Except for reverse loops (where you can wire up an automatic polarity changer) you don't have to wire separate blocks like you do in DCC, but you can if you want to.

[Texas Zepher]

There seems to be a belief that DCC requires some type of advanced wiring using techniques that are specific to it.

The basic principals from DC apply to DCC. It's still just two wires feeding the rails. Only the thing connected to one end of the wires has changed.

[#ditto] I've never understood this phenomena.  The only thing I can figure is that a certain set of people immediately get newbies all worried about buses, power districts, DCC friendly turnouts....   Much ado about nothing.  Start with two wires from the command station to the track and only work from there if there are problems.   DCC wiring for multi-train operation is SOOOO much easier than DC ever was.

Let see such a book would have to include:

1.  Follow DCC manufacturer manual to connect power supply to DCC command unit.
2.  Follow DCC manufacturer manual to hook up throttle/ throttle bus.
3.  run two wires from DCC controller to track.
4.  If reversing loops in track follow gapping procedures in DC wiring books and substitute and auto reverse unit for the DPDT switch.
5.  If using hot frog turnouts follow gapping & extra feeder procedures as described in DC wiring books. 
6. If track is long and loco starts hickuping (on clean track) or slowing down at certain spots add a feeder there.
7. If bunches of feeders are needed then run a bus to save wire.
8. If lots of locomotives and/or trains then break track into separate sections and add extra power boosters.
9. Tricks and special things
    - programming track
    - using auto bulbs to indicate and mitigate short circuits
    - using track power for indication
    - computer interface & control (see manufacturers manual)
10. Detection for signalling, offboard sound, and automatic control.

Seems like I'm forgetting something....   Decoder installation? (the "hard part" in my opinion).

Looking at the list that might be one of the reasons there is no book.  The "complicated" part of powering the comand station and throttle bus is vendor dependent.  That will constantly change with each new product offering.

[rrinker]

 Have to agree with the above, it's almost not needed at all. Computer of not. People seem to associate DCC with 'complicated' Sure, inside the command station/booster/throttle, what's goign on is WAY more complex than an old basic transformer. But unless you truly are an electronics nut and building your own, you can ignore almost all of that.

 In those basic DC books - the examples they have for a single DC cab - follow those. The only real difference comes with a reverse loop/wye situation. For anythign else, at least basic layouts, the wiring can be exacty like a single DC cab, less the various block on/off switches. It only gets slightly more complex with a larger layout and multiple boosters.

 

                          --Randy

[Capt. Grimek]

Hi Guys,
Selector, thanks for that clarification of the formula for figuring grades. I can see now that the 100" thing
is not applicable so easily/readily without further considerations.

John, it was "where" does one join the ends of the buss wires that I haven't been able to ascertain from online reading. I'm sure I missed it somewhere but don't know where. I've read through most of the internet sites posted here (thanks) although there were a few "new" ones to me that I'll read today.

I guess my point about a book being needed is that not everyone has a computer. There are a lot of rural
farm kids, etc. who would have to choose between trains and a computer cost wise, etc.

Most sites don't have photographs of step by step installations just wiring diagrams which
are confusing to beginners and non-electrical engineering oriented folks.
A book is a tool that can be studied and mulled over more conveniently away from the computer
or carried more readily to ask questions of more experienced M.R.ers., etc.

I have the Strang book. It was useful when I knew absolutely nothing about DCC (what IS this magic about?) but as a retired educator, I feel that a good book is still needed in the market place.

I have operations friends now, that I can ask questions of and hopefully get some assistance, but
really, a book would be a very logical step in spreading the word and taking the fear out of DCC for many
people. So...my question is why hasn't Strang, etc. published something. There is a very obvious market for this and a "manual" has always been and can always be a supplemental/portable guide for internet research.

I'm just surprised that Kalmbach and other publishers haven't published something.

For those of us old enough to remember (or assemble) HeathKit electronics kits (like Ham radio receivers, etc.) they did great market and educational research. They would hire a large panel of average house wives, sit them down to assemble a kit from the supplied directions. Anything that seemed even remotely confusing, foreign, etc. to them was duly noted and changed or simplified in the directions/manual.
HeathKit had tremendous success with this method.

I'd like to see something similar for DCC published with step by step photos and drawings. Maybe I'm a lone voice in the wilderness but as a teacher, I know that eveyone doesn't have the same learning style.
Some are auditory, some are visual, some are concrete some are abstract, etc. Sometimes it's easier
to flip back a page or two or consult an index than to try and remember where on the web site you last
saw that info. that pertained to the step you're doing now.

Although some of the sites are certainly excellent and friendly in tone, some people are still book learners
and find it a more useful method at times.

Just a thought...

[johncolley]

Ha! Remember Electricity 101 the basic rule: One wire - Hook 'im up! Two wire - Screw 'em up!

Actually. Jim, it is pretty easy. use two colors of 12 or 14 guage for your bus , I use red for the right hand rail Run them all the way from one end of your layout to the other, under the main line, or close to it, but do not join the ends. If you feed them in about the middle, or wherever you plan to have your command station and programming track, you shouldn't have any problems with voltage drop to the ends. Then make your rail feeder drops the same colors, or, since I got partial spools of thermostat wire my drops are red and white. No problem! Make your drops from the middle of each section of flextrack or approx 3 to 6 feet apart, always keeping the red on the right rail! If you happen to cross colors you will have a short and she no go, eh? Treason for so many drops is because rail joiners will oxidize over time and become unreliable for conduction . I don't solder them except on curves for ease of forming. Leave a little room in the joiners for expansion/contraction which can be from either temperature or humidity. In cold/dry weather you will hear the clickity-clack more. Any questions, e-mail me off forum. John Colley, Port Townsend, WA

[MisterBeasley]

If you really want a book, I'd recommend Lionel Strang's "DCC Made Easy."  I bought a copy at the start of my DCC experience, and found it helpful.  It's not so much a "how to" book as it is a reference about DCC and how it works.  Understanding that background will give you some insight on why things are done the way they are.

But the basic message that people above have been posting is still correct - it's really just a matter of hooking it up.  If you can wire a DC layout, well, you can wire a DCC layout even easier.  It's probably more important to have good track work and good wiring, because it's a bit less forgiving, but the rules are pretty much the same.  It may be a bit difficult to let go of the "block" mentality, and sometimes you'll want to isolate a siding or two, but overall it's an easy learning curve.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

Other than the running of the buss wire, which is quite easy, wiring a DCC layout isn't much different than wiring a DC layout. My layout was originally wired for DC and hasn't changed much in the last two years. The only major change was running buss wires where the block wires were. It took me about an hour to do that. All I had to do after that was connect the wires for each block to it's respective pair of buss wires. Drop dead easy!

[ereimer]

this isn't really basic or step-by-step , but it includes just about every bit of information you'll ever need to wire a DCC layout

 

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/

 

ernie

[richg1998]

Here are links to a lot of free DCC wiring information. Store the links in your favorites folder if you are still stuck with IE or in your Bookmarks if using Firefox. There is an incredible amount of DCC info on the 'Net. Sub-divide your Favorites or Bookmarks for different subjects in DCC, such as, decoders, controllers, boosters, buss wiring, feeders, soldering tips, etc.  You can even save a page as a HTML document in your PC. Click on the html file in your hard drive and the site opens up. Don't forget, the 'Net is a huge library and your PC is a nice file cabinet, think paper files. This way you will learn more and no doubt have answers for others in the future.

Basic wiring is a little easier than block wiring, just different. It can get a little more complex when adding booster districts for a large layout. Oh, you will need patience.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ned=us&q=dcc+wiring&btnmeta%3Dsearch%3Dsearch=Search+the+Web

Rich

[mfm37]

There seems to be a belief that DCC requires some type of advanced wiring using techniques that are specific to it.

The basic principals from DC apply to DCC. It's still just two wires feeding the rails. Only the thing connected to one end of the wires has changed. If it works for DC, it will work for DCC.

Martin Myers 

[Capt. Grimek]

Why or why isn't there a basic, step by step "How to Wire Your DCC Model Railroad" book out on the market by now? Does anyone know if Kalmbach or anyone else has one planned? The old Atlas book on wiring was excellent for beginners for DC layouts. The Kalmbach Easy Wiring book is good but where is the DCC equivalent? Isn't it time by now?
Being so expensive, I've never gotten to view a copy of Digitrax' "The Big Book of Dcc". Was this along the lines of what I'm looking for?
You guys were very helpful when I posted about how to estimate wire needs, but a step by step how to
book is desperately needed in the marketplace. Anybody know if anything is in the works?

Thanks.