Hi
I use atlas remote snap switchs on my DC layout that i'm just starting but am now thanking DCC I have all the track down but have not wird it yet can I use the switch machines that come with the atlas turnouts and power them the same as DC to a AC power pack or what I read that the bus should be 12G or 14G wire and my feeders 18g or 20g so I got that part. its not a real big layout its in a room 12 by 10 and it runs around the walls and have spurs going to industrys. I also have gaps in my track on one side for common rail and was going to have block wiriing for DC. what do I need to do to go DCC now and not DC. and was thanking about getting the starter system from NCE. thanks for any help
Ron
Periods and capital letters at the beginning of sentences will make your posts a lot easier to figure out. As much as I get:
Yes, you can still operate the Atlas turnouts the same way as you would with a DC railroad, hookthe controls to the AC output of your pwoer pack. Powering the rails with DCC does NOT mean you need to operate your turnouts with DCC, but it is an option.
For your wiring you do not need any gaps but you don;t have to take them out. In some cases you might want to install the block power switch that you would have in DC, so you can park a loco on a siding with no chance of accidently selecting the wrong DCC address and running one off the edge of the layout unintentionally. If you wired it up like a typical Atlas track plan you'll want more than just one feeder for the common rail side. #14 should be sufficient for your layout size, mine's the same size and that's what I used.
The NCE PowerCab is a good starter system.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You can use the Atlas switch machines as long as you use the AC terminals on a power pack and not track power.
Your track buss could be 14 AWG wire with 20 or 22 AWG wire for the track feeders..
Most DCC systems do not recommend common rail wiring. If you are going to gap the rails for power districts or for storeing locos when not in use, gap both rails and use DPDT to shut off power to both rails.