Unless you program CV29 to turn off automatic analog conversion, it will run fine on DC. No jumpers.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ken, does the DCC version have sound? Is the DC version DCC ready? If it is DCC with sound, go with it. If it is DCC with no sound, it depends on the differences in cost. A good DCC decoder with no sound will cost around $16.00 (no BMEF, think of it as cruise control) Decoder with BMEF is around $27.00.
If the DCC Atlas has no sound and is more than $30.00 than the DC version, go with the DC one. DC ready will be a plug in decoder.
I like the Digitrax DH 123 when I am on the cheap, Digitrax DH 163 when I need BMEF.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
The last I knew, Spectrum and Roundhouse does run on DC right from the factory. At least it did for me. My Spectrum 4-4-0 with no sound but DCC on board ran fine on DC. My first Roundhouse 4-4-0 with MRC sound ran fine on DC. It came with a wireless remote for controlling sounds but I do not think the new Roundhouse with Tsunami will have that feature. Don't know yet.
My Spectrum 44 ton and 70 ton with DCC on board, no sound ran just fine on DC..
Ok, I have to define, “Fine”. They were usable but did not run as good as with DCC. You have to turn up the DC power pack higher than when you run a DC only loco, no decoder. The sound version sounds start at about 5 to 6 volts DC. The loco would start to move at around 8 to 9 volts. You will see a difference.
I have installed my own Tsunami decoders and they ran on DC until I intensionally disabled that function because I run DCC. I just did not have any control over the sounds. A few sounds worked because the factory programs the decoder for a few sounds under DC.
The instructions with Spectrum and Roundhouse say that the locos can run on DC, dual mode decoders, but who reads instructions now a days.
Some people buy them from ebay or other seller and someone disabled the DC operation which has caused confusion when the buyer was not aware.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I've found that if the locomotive is dual-mode DC/DCC, it will run on DC. However, it takes so much voltage to get the locomotive going past the DCC bells, whistles and other thingamabobs, that you might end up using the last 1/4 quadrant of your power pack to control the loco.
PLUS, forget running it with your pure DC locos. By the time your dual mode starts creeping from tie to tie, your other locos will be running around the layout like they were at the Kentucky Derby.
Frankly, if you're DC and are not thinking of converting to DCC but want the locomotive, your best bet is to rip out the decoder and rewire the thing. Or get someone to do it for you.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
Thanks guys for the helpful answers. Given that the Loco comes with sound, I'll buy the DCC version. Maybe having a DCC engine in the house will finally prompt me to wire the layout for DCC. Ken
The Silver version is DC only, no decoder / no sound. The Gold version comes with a DCC sound decoder that will work on DC right out of the box.
There may be exceptions, but pretty much all factory DCC-equipped engines (sound or no sound) come with dual-mode decoders which recognize whether you're giving it DC or AC (DCC systems use AC on the track) and respond accordingly.
Most "DCC-ready" engines come with an eight- or nine-pin DCC receptacle with a dummy plug installed. You can run it on DC without doing anything to it, but need to remove the plug to plug in the DCC decoder of your choice.
BLI makes a line of engines that have sound but no motion/light decoder, you can run them 'as is' on DC but need to add your own decoder to run it on DCC.
rrinker Unless you program CV29 to turn off automatic analog conversion, it will run fine on DC. No jumpers. --Randy
Is this the default setting, so if you have a DCC loco, just place it on a DC track and it will run?
David
If you read ALL the details/manual for DCC or DCC sound locos, they generally say yes.
BUT, if you buy the same loco from ebay or private seller the bets are usually off from some post I have seen in other DCC forums. Some people turn off the DC option and do not tell you.
For sound locos, it is usually less cost if you buy the loco with sound.
DCC ready, a motor/light decoder with Back emf is usually not to difficult.
I recommend you check here first before buying a particular loco/decoder. There are many variations in DCC.
You can find good prices if you know how to shop online.
i suggest doing a decoder reset as a matter of course when buying a second hand loco DCC fitted. a new one should run on DC though as the chip default is for the option switched on.
The loco in question comes with DCC and sound with a QSI decoder. It will run on DC, but like most any sound loco runnign on DC, you might not be too happy. It takes about half throttle just to get the sounds going, and there's not much left over for the control of the loco speed. It definitely won't run with a straight DC loco, by the time the sound loco starts moving, the DC loco will be flying around the track. You can trigger some of the sounds by flipping the direction switch, or you can add the Quantum Engineer controller (but if you plan to go to DCC, don't waste the money). Even the more vocal proponents of stickign with DC generally agree that if you really want to get into sound, then DCC is the way to go. You'll be able to test it out and play around with it on DC, but to get access to all the features you need DCC.