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DCC engines and converting.

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  • Member since
    February 2011
  • 4 posts
DCC engines and converting.
Posted by Edge on Friday, February 18, 2011 11:32 AM

I am new to the hobby and was wondering if all or just some engines are able to be converted to DCC? When I see DCC ready and DCC installed that's pretty clear but if the engine has no indication can you still convert it? The same goes for sound. Can it be converted or not? I know it's probably a dumb question but I am not sure.

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Friday, February 18, 2011 3:00 PM

Will depend on what scale you are working with. Most HO locomotives can be converted to DCC with sound or with out sound. Some older HO locomotives might have to have the motor upgraded so it will draw less current. Some may even need to be regarded. But these are mostly the older brass units.

N scale is a little harder, DCC is not too bad. When you get to sound decoders you are very limited to what will fit. Sound decoders for narrow hood diesels are just not here yet. MRC does have few for drop in units but there track record has been discussed here many times.

 

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Friday, February 18, 2011 6:32 PM

You can normally run 1 DC loco on a DCC system with address 0   But leaving DC locos for even a short time on DCC without running them can be harmful to those motors.

Richard

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Vail, AZ
  • 1,943 posts
Posted by Vail and Southwestern RR on Friday, February 18, 2011 11:33 PM

Train Modeler

You can normally run 1 DC loco on a DCC system with address 0   But leaving DC locos for even a short time on DCC without running them can be harmful to those motors.

Richard

Actually fewer and fewer DCC systems offer this "feature".  If you are counting on it, check carefully before you buy.

Jeff But it's a dry heat!

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