I'm just building a new HO layout and I am going with DCC. I have lots of old DC stuff but it has all seen better days, and it's "time" for some new technology :) Does DCC handle dual pickup/contact wheel sets on locomotives well? Does it address the two sets of contacts as one set? How does it handle a reversing loop? I want the dual pickups so that I can better operate at very low speeds trhough turnouts, with no stuttering or hesitation at the frogs. I know, they shouldn't stutter or hesitate if everything is perfect, but perfection is not in my physcial ability tool box. All comments will be welcomed :)
I'm just building a new HO layout and I am going with DCC. I have lots of old DC stuff but it has all seen better days, and it's "time" for some new technology :)
Does DCC handle dual pickup/contact wheel sets on locomotives well? Does it address the two sets of contacts as one set? How does it handle a reversing loop?
I want the dual pickups so that I can better operate at very low speeds trhough turnouts, with no stuttering or hesitation at the frogs. I know, they shouldn't stutter or hesitate if everything is perfect, but perfection is not in my physcial ability tool box.
All comments will be welcomed :)
Actually it is recommended that you have all wheel pick-up on the loco's to avoid glitches in voltage. The pickup wires from both trucks tie together at the decoder.
Springfield PA
Ok thanks, that really does answer my question perfectly :) I like the idea of steady voltage pickup, smoother operation. Thanks
Oh and welcome to the forums.
Let us know how your layout progresses and post a few pics if you have a digital camera.
You should handle your DCC reverse loops similar to your DC loops. If you check the voltage with ordinary equipment you would use AC, but it's really pulsed DC. There is polarity. The reverse loop can be automatically switched with a PSX-AR. A very fast acting reverse switch keeps the system from faulting.
Richard