What are the pros and cons of running a dc locomotive with sound v a locomotives with dcc.
I'm planning a HO switching layout that will probably only have one locomotive. It it worth the extra expense to be totally dcc?
west willow and laurel What are the pros and cons of running a dc locomotive with sound v a locomotives with dcc. I'm planning a HO switching layout that will probably only have one locomotive. It it worth the extra expense to be totally dcc?
If you are planning on running a sound-equipped locomotive, yes it is definitely worth the extra expense. Sound-equipped locomotives aren't all that controllable on DC, and you can't do much adjustment of the sound in DC without some special "box". Bottom line is that sound decoders were meant to run on DCC, and running them on DC is somewhat of a kludge.
Note that MRC's Tech 6 is really a dual mode controller - when running a sound locomotive you are effectively running in DCC mode.
Without sound, DC would be quite simple and inexpensive for a switching layout for a single locomotive.
my thoughts, your choices
Fred W
west willow,
This is better posted over on the Electronics and DCC forum.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
It already is: DCC and DC locomotives
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
In order to get the full benefits of sound like throttle notching match to momentum,braking and speed then DCC is the only way to go.
If you just want sound then DC will get the job done.
Larry
Conductor.
Summerset Ry.
"Stay Alert, Don't get hurt Safety First!"
If you have NO equipment now, I suggest DCC. besides, you will be running more than one loco in time. All money spent on DC will be wasted if you ever do change to DCC. In my opinion the only thing DC does better is use the equipment you already own.
If you really want to run sound locos, DCC is the only way to go. DC control of sound is not that great, and you'll never be able to run a DC sound loco with a DC non-sound loco - by the time the sound loco starts moving, the non sound one will be trucking along at half to 3/4 speed. There are control boxes to activate more than the basic sounds when using DC< but each decoder brand does this in a different fashion, and Tsunami docers have no provision for this. So you cna have a daisy-chain of multipel DC control boxes, and rememebr to use the appropriate one for the loco youa re running, or just run them all on DCC and they will all work the same (barring variations in which function does what - some might have F7 as an air letoff, others might put that on F11). You cna tune DCC locos so they all run together, even a sound unit and a non sound, so there ar eno issues mixing and matchign MU sets however you want to do it.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Invest in an NCE Power Cab and go DCC without a lot of added expense.
Rich
Alton Junction