I'm getting back into HO trains but all the new DCC/DCS is new to me I understand that HO requires DC to run however I don't understand how this connects with DCC/DCS most of these setups talk about AC & DC at the same time noting goes into much detail. Ive searched around the net to find some help but im not getting any where what am I missing.
Thanks in advance
Hello. If you do a search for Tonys' Train Exchange, you'll find a DCC primer there.
Even in DCC, the motors are still DC. It's just that the power to the rails is in a square wave AC form that the decoder inside every motive device must convert to a pulsed DC current for the motor's use.
I think some of the European HO/OO scale systems use two-rail AC. It might even exist here in N. America for US type models, but I am not aware of it. Sorry, showing my lack of depth.
With DC, unless you have an elaborate set-up of blocks and switches, your engines will tend to follow each other around the track system when you supply it with voltage. Doesn't matter which way the engines are facing, either; when you turn one of them around, it also reverses the power to the motor, which now spins the opposite direction as before. Two 'wrongs' make no difference, and they'll still chase each other around the rails.
In DCC, you direct the decoders to make the locomotives move in the direction you wish them to move. The decoders change the orientation of the pulses to make the motor reverse, and you can actually have two engines moving in opposite directions. The decoders also control lights and sounds if you have a sound decoder and speaker inside the locomotive or tender.
You can also programme the decoder to cause the engine to accelerate and decelerate with momentum and inertia settings to make the locomotive accelerate and decelerate ponderously as a real locomotive would with a trailing tonnage behind it. So, you could supply a throttle setting of the maximum possible with the quick flick of the wrist or two, but the engine would slowly begin to move, and then gather speed over the next several seconds, even over the course of a full minute or more.
Crandell
Getting back into HO trains, I would recommend going with DCC from the start. DCC simplifys wiring. DCC only requires two wires. No block toggles to throw to run more than one train at a time. Easy walk around control, either tethered or wireless. You are controlling your train, not the track. There are several DCC systems that are affordable and expandable as your layout ( and you wallet ) grows. There are many decoders that will fit amost any loco there is. Good sound decoders are available too.
With DCC full power is always on the rails, usually around 13.5 volts for HO. The throttle sends your commands to the decoder in the loco you desire to run. Turn on the lights, ring the bell, blow the horn or whistle( with sound decoder). There is a learning period with DCC, but you will enjoy it.
As far as DCS is concerned, if you are planning on running HO I'd stay away from it. DCS is a proprietary system and is not compatible with DCC loco. It only works with loco's made by MTH.
DCC is what you should be looking at IMO.
Springfield PA
I returned to the hobby about 7 years ago after a long absence. I spent a short time in DC, but once I switched to DCC I realized what an advance it was, particularly for small layouts where making blocks to control separate trains just isn't practical.
It is possible to start out by buying a few DCC engines with "dual-mode" decoders. They can operate on either DCC or DC. Most decoders are dual-mode these days. Then, when you are ready to take the DCC plunge, you will have engines that will be ready with you. You can also buy DC engines and add your own decoders later, but you'll find that it's actually cheaper to go with factory-installed DCC than with install-it-yourself aftermarket decoders.
Sound is another big DCC feature. While there are workarounds to allow you to access some sound systems on DC, these sound decoders are primarily designed for DCC control. Some modelers love sound passionately, while some could care less, and other actively dislike it. Whichever path you choose, you owe it to yourself to at least listen to some sound engines so that you can be well-informed. Again, it's cheaper to buy the engines with factory-installed sound.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.