I am currently using Atlas Custom Line switches on my layout, I was recently told that they are not DCC compatable but the person making the statement didn't know why or what the difference is but stated that they may cause shorting problems later on. Please advise. Also can they be modify while in situe or do I have to change them all ( I hope not )
Thanks Kay.Div.
the Atlas customline turnouts are fine for DCC. You don't have to do anything to them. You were misinformed.
Kay.Div.
Floridaflyer, is correct.
DC (Direct Current) and DCC (Digital Command Control).
DC, The power supply, throttle, controls the voltage to the track, for motor response.
DCC, The decoder in the engine, controls the motor response, with a fixed voltage to the track
Frank
Thanks guys, thats a releif, I sure didn't fancy replacing all my switches.
Kay.Div,
A lot of helpful info. on this site, with diagrams and how to's, should you need more help. If not ask here. Just click on the link:
http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_atlas_roco.htm
This site explains what makes a turnout DCC friendly and more about dcc.
Enjoy
Paul
zstripe Kay.Div, A lot of helpful info. on this site, with diagrams and how to's, should you need more help. If not ask here. Just click on the link: http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches_atlas_roco.htm
ZStripe points to a good site.
Warning: Much older Atlas switches were not DCC friendly. Here's the key points to DCC friendly switches:
1. The points are isolated from one another. This means current can not jump from one switch point to another. Common causes of this are a solid metal throw connector between the points acting as a conductor between them.
2. The frog is properly isolated from the switch point rails.
Why worry about DCC friendly turnouts?
Well, non DCC friendly turnouts had the potential to have a wheel cross both the negative and positive rails at the same time. This completes a circuit straight to ground (short circuit) Digital electronics are very sensitive to shorts/current surges, so as a safety they shut down quickly causing your layout to effectively shutdown quickly.So if your layout crosses a turnout and it shuts down, then your switch may not be DCC friendly. Otherwise, don't worry about it.
Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions
Modeling C&O transition era and steel industries There's Nothing Like Big Steam!
If a switch works on DC it works on DCC or any other frquency electricity that can be applied to it. Others have already pointed out what the "DCC friendly" term means. That's not the same as "They won't work on DCC"
Martin Myers
Kay.Div....I sure didn't fancy replacing all my switches.
Even if you have "non-DCC-friendly" turnouts, they can still remain in place. A large proportion of the turnouts on my DCC layout are "unfriendly" types and they work fine. Operators can create a short if they run across a gap into a turnout that's thrown against them, although the alternative is they can run through a "friendly" type and cause a short when they derail. Unfriendly turnouts can be rebuilt in place with new throwbars and gapped frogs if desired.
Rob Spangler
DigitalGriffinWarning: Much older Atlas switches were not DCC friendly. Here's the key points to DCC friendly switches:
Don,
The only Atlas turnouts that I am aware of that have metal throwbars were the 'regular' line from the late 50's and early 60's. Even these had plastic throwbars in later production. Ther were offered in 'brass' only and were phased out by the late 60's as the 'custom line' turnouts became the staple of Atlas production. I remeber AHC sold them for something like $1.25 each!
All of the 'custom line' turnouts I have seen have plastic throwbars - The early ones had metal rivets holding the points to the plastic throwbar. All of these(Mark 2 -4) are 'DCC Friendly'. The points are isolated from each other, and the frogs are either plastic(Mark 2) or isolated metal. This includes the custom line 'supreme' turnouts of the laste 70's.
That said, I do have non-DCC Shinohara turnouts on my layout. These are the long curved ones, and these can be an issue with long wheelbase steam engines. The drivers can touch the stock rail and can scrape the closure(point) rail and cause a short. Since I have no long wheelbase brass engines, it really is not a problem for me. I do have all of my Atlas Mark 4 turnouts set up with a powered frog(via the turnout linkage) - No problems.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin