I am looking into N Scale DCC. If the locomotive or engines are DCC ready can they also be used with a standard powerpack or transformers. Since I am new at this I would appreciate some input.
DCC ready means they are ready to be used with a decoder, Usually plug and play. However until they have the decoder installed they can be used with a normal power supply or transformer.
'DCC Ready' means that it has a plug or connector to allow easy conversion to DCC. It does not mean it has a DCC decoder installed. A 'DCC Equipped' engine has a DCC decoder factory installed. Most 'DCC Equipped' engines come set up so they can run on a DC layout or a DCC layout. The decoder 'sniffs' the power on the rails to see if it is DC or DCC and sets up for what is available. Sometimes this is known as a 'Dual Mode' decoder. If a decoder equipped engine is run on DC, it will start at a rather high voltage. This is due to the need to have enough voltage on the rails to power up the decoder. With DCC, this is not an issue as full power is always on the rails.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin