DC-DCC Conversion

[RRManiac]

Hello. I have recently begun saving up my money to buy the Bachmann E-Z DCC system and 3 decoders. What would I want to look for in decoders for a DC Model Power DDT and an old Atlas/Roco GP40? I also know that I would like sound in them. Does E-Z DCC support sound decoders?

[cacole]

 Bachmann's EZ DCC is very limited in what you can do with it.  For example, I have read that is supports decoder (locomotive) addresses only up to 9.  Control of sounds is probably similarly limited. 

Whether you can fit sound into a DDT and the GP40 depends on whether there's any place to put a speaker.  For the DDT, I think that's a definite no.

Another factor to consider is whether a locomotive runs well enough to justify conversion to DCC.  In many cases it's not worth the cost of a decoder.  New locomotives would probably be more advisable.

 

[Phoebe Vet]

Your post has probably sparked another food fight, but here goes:

Bachmann EZCommand is a very limited system.  It can control engines with addresses between 1 and 9 and can control 1 DC engine on address 10, which is actually 0.  It can access functions 1 through 9.  It's expandability is VERY limited.

There are a few people in here who like it, but the vast majority do not.  There are several competing products that are only a little more expensive, but which can grow with you as you expand your knowledge.

My personal preference is Digitrax.  Others in here prefer MRC, Lenz, ESU, NCE, Etc.

[cacole]

You're on -- but I'm betting the same things you are.

[cleo3]

For me, the Bachman E-Z Command system "broke the ice". I'm building a small HO layout and just felt intimidated by what I have read about programing, menus, etc. I almost stayed with the "tried and true" DC that I was familiar with. Then I watched the videos on YouTube by Bachman on the E-Z Command system. I bought it on sale and am very happy with it. I can blow the horn, ring the bell, and turn the headlight on and off, and enjoy the sounds of my "DCC w/ sound" engines. It's easy to run my 3 locomotives. The only thing I wish I could do is increase or decrease the sound volume. I can't program any CV's, but I'm happy just running the engines the way they are. I expect that in a few years I will want to upgrade to a system that supports programing, but like I said, the E-Z Command got me started.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

 Let me say first off that I have nothing against the EZ Command system. It's a good system for what it does. It allows you to easily run DCC equipped locos with a minimum of trouble. It controls motor and light functions and can access sound functions 1 through 9 on many sound decoders. The only thing that can be programmed is the locos address. Adresses 1-9 are supported, address 10 can be added if a Bachmann DC controller is connected. While I used an EZ Command for 2 years I would suggest that you save your money and get a good entry level system that can be programmed, such as the Digitrax Zephyr. Others have had good luck with systems from NCE and other makers but I no knowledge about those systems. A word on Bachmann decoders. They are simple 2 function decoders that don't have many of the functions of a simple 2 function Digitrax decoder such as the DZ125 which is what I use in many of my locos including a very heavy pair of SDP40F's.