I bought almost everything I have back in 2006-2007...and it was my first HO DC layout. I have 4 Locos with sound...2 are atlas and 2 are proto 2000. All of them work with the little Sidekick horn/bell add on. well I took that layout down a year ago and I am starting over. The track is all in and running nicely. I am at the point were I want to paint the track, but I thought maybe I should wait and decide to go DCC. So I bought a couple of book on it and was reading about feeder wires and all of that. Both books talk about the decoders, but I am wondering if I need to upgrade these sound units to do DCC or are they already DCC? The manuals for them say they are DCC Sound decoders, and talk about how to program the sound and engine numbers... but im not so sure I see anything about that its a full blown DCC decoder... Are there 2 types?
I read a few posts about being careful on taking the shell off, but im timid to even touch it after reading some of the horror stories lol.
Chuck
http://www.chuckcondron.com/CCLayout/index.html
Atlas gold and P2K use QSI decoders which are dual mode. DC/DCC in one decoder.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
If the manual says they are DCC then they are DCC. Understand that there is a difference between DCC and DCC Ready. A DCC engine will run on DC and some of them can even do sound on DC. Follow the directions in the manual that came with them.
Other than that you have not provided enough information to identify your particular decoders.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
OK one is a Broadway Limited BLI Alco RSD-15 ... It says it has Quantum Software version HO125f14
It also came with the Magic Wand. The manual talks about CV Values, speed tables, etc. So sounds like im good to go there?
Nex is an Atlas Gold Series SD/SDP - 35 with Sound. the manula says For QSI Quantum Analog and DCC A1a Sound Decoder Equipped Locomotives. I guess I am confused as it said Analog AND DCC. Software Version 7
Next is an Atlas Gold Series Dash 8 40 C Diesel with Sound, Quantum Software Version 7
Lastly a Proto 2000 Heritage Steam Collection USRA 0-8-0 ..Manual says for QSI Quantum System Analog and DCC Sound decoder Equipped Locomotives.
So looks like I am all set for DCC? ( I know I still need the control stations/boosters...).
Right now I am wired for DC, but I do have one feeder wire at the far end. with 3 diesels on the same track the DC Supply is drawing about 3/4 of an amp with 22 cars. no slowdown anywhere, but I do plan to do the feeder wires every 3 feet. I have not decided if I need a seperate power district in my yard. The yard is just 2 tracks splitting off of the main line.
The layout is about 25 feet long in a dogbone shape with 4 foot - 6 foot sections on the two dogbone loops, and 2 parallel tracks connecting the 2 ends of the bone together. the yard splits off during the long section of the bone.
What I would like is for the mainline to run and to have some action going on in the yard from time to time, seperate from what is going on in the main.
David, thank you for your info! I am not sure just yet, I am checking with my accountant (wife lol) to see what my budget is...but my 50th birthday is November 3rd, so I am hoping I will get some train cash! I have read a lot of good posts about the Digitrax Super Chief. I want to get something that I can expand with. My layout is only limited to my space on hand, but I hope to get more room down the road. There is another room just west of where this is and I would love to have it continue on into that room at some point :)
If I want the yard to have its own action, do I need a seperate booster for that section? or do I just control those trains with seperate commands?
Also, one of my jobs at work is computer programming and I thought it would be interesting into using some of existing computer programs out there but also to write something for this new part of my hobby.
However first, I want to just make sure I get it wired correct and learn how to operate it.
The last time I had a layout I didnt take the time to make sure the track was correct and rushed into scenery. Now I am doing slow and hopefully correct.
I did sneak some ballast and a bit of scenery into about a 2 foot section of this new layout just to get it out of my system lol
It can get confusing as there are decoders that are just for train and lighting control, and ones that do that plus have sound, and there are sound-only decoders that still require a regular decoder to piggyback on...and of course BLI has some engines that come with sound decoders but not control/light decoders so you have to add those.
In DCC you're controlling engines by calling up their ID no. and giving them specific commands. You don't need separate blocks to operate separate engines. If you get a Chief you shouldn't need a booster unless you have a very large layout and/or operate many engines at the same time (particularly many sound equipped engines).