After building a 4x8 ho layout, I am ready to try a much larger one. I spent all my time on learning scenery and not on operation. This time I want it all. I know absolutely nothing about electronics. Could someone please tell me where to start. I need the absolute basics first as I dont even have the vocabulary to understand dcc. So you will know I basically ran the layout with 2 wires. I am building the layout with Kato HO unitrack. While I dont have an exact track plan, my room is 20x 12. any help would be much appreciated. Thanks
-Docfreedom
docfreedom So you will know I basically ran the layout with 2 wires. -Docfreedom
So you will know I basically ran the layout with 2 wires.
With DCC, you will still be running your TRAINS with 2 wires. DCC interprets the electronic signal to specifically identify each loco. Whereas, DC merely sends electricity to the track and whatever electronic device is on the track, runs when power is applied.
Basically with DC: if everyone in your family was named Bob, everytime you yelled Bob, everyone would get up or move. With DCC: everyone has their own name (ID) and when you yell that name, only that person responds.
You can visit the NMRA or various other web sites (do a search) and learn more.
Inspired by Addiction
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Doc,
Here's a primer from Tony's Train Exchange web site that should get you started:
DCC for Beginners
You can either read it online or download it onto you computer as a .pdf file.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Hi! Welcome to the Forum!
Excellent advice so far (love the "bob" analogy)!
I've been a model railroader since the mid-'50s and just jumped into DCC two years ago. While I understand "electricity & wiring", I am a dummy with electronics. Frankly, that scared me away from DCC for some time.
I spent a good 6 months getting educated before I bought a system. Kalmbach has 3 or 4 electrical books that are a major help, and (as indicated earlier) some of the vendors and shops have websites with invaluable info. Lastly, and to me most important and influential, we have this Forum.
The good folks here will do there best to advise and answer questions and provide guidance. However, I would suggest that you "read up" on DCC before you ask the very basic questions (as they have been asked many times before and the answers tend to be subjective). One thing you can to is to look up on the seach function of this forum, and you will find pretty much whatever basic questions you might have.
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Here is the site that I used to learn.
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/wirefordcc_toc.htm
Brent
"All of the world's problems are the result of the difference between how we think and how the world works."
There is a lot to DCC. Not to discourage you but stepping from DC to DCC is a bigger step than most realize. As you get into DCC, you will see what I mean. When someone tells you something is easy, make sure there is a salt shaker nearby.
I have been using DCC for ten years and belong to twenty forums and almost every week I see something new.
Below are some useful links. Even if you never get into sound with DCC, it will be useful to have some info on the subject. If you go to sound, keep the level down so you hardly hear it ten feet away. Remember, you are not a Harley rider. Many think they are.
http://www.mrdccu.com/
http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track.htm#a6
http://www.siliconvalleylines.com/dcc/presentations.html
Store any link anyone post here into Favorites. You will need them. Take time reading them.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
I think the key to good DCC train running is doing it right to start with.. Since you are planning on building a bigger layout at the same time, that is a good start instead of having to go back and fix errors from your past. Converting your locos to DCC is usually not too hard if you are using newer locos, may are plug and play and some require a little bit more work but once you done a few locos under your belt it will be come easier. Having good wiring for the track is important- a good bus wiring and feeders system is a must... it will make running a better. To start with dont worry too much about the many CV's a DCC chip, just get your loco an address programmed in and go.. Once you familiar with the system you buy then you can fine tune the locos and play with the CV's to see what they do. I use Digitrax, as do many of the folks on here.. and the other big one is NCE. I would recommend downloading their manuals so you can get an idea of each does and how it all works. Remember - With DC you control the track, with DCC you control the train
Thanks everyone for all the tips. Rich, I am sure I will be using those links. I am out of the country until next week, and then the new layout will be started. I sure hope dcc works out, as it sure sounds fun. I have never had sound and I am looking forward to giving it a try. Do most of you still set up blocks, or do you just hook up 2 wires like you would a simple oval. Yea, I know I need to start reading more. It just seems like everything I read does not start with the very basics. I will admit I have not read all that has been suggeted, but will do so when I am get home. MANY THANKS. Model railroaders are the nicest bunch of people I have ever run in to.
Depending on the size of the layout, many use "booster districts" rather than blocks. Generally no need to switch blocks when wired for DCC. This is all part of the learning curve and is described in the below link which might be part of one I already gave. Some use one booster with circuit breakers for each "booster district". Some use 1156 automobile bulbs for each district. When a loco sorts out the track because of a derail, the booster trips and shuts down everything. With light bulbs or circuit breakers, usually not. The light bulb lights up and keeps the booster from tripping. The rest of the layout keeps working.
Some use circuit breakers, some use light bulbs. NCE sells a device with six bulbs on the module. There are different bulbs for different current requirements.
Allan Gartner has a ton of DCC stuff at his site. Take your time and don't jump to fast.
Cross overs and reverse loops require DCC reverser's. You will find that somewhere in Alln's site.
When laying track and wiring, make resistance checks every so often to make sure no shorts exist between the rails. Some make the mistake of wiring the layout and then try to run trains and have heartburn trying to locate the short.
Take time to copy and paste useful answers others here give you into a Word document for reference.