Some time ago, before I had any DCC units, I think I read that you should not run a dual mode DCC unit with a DC power pack having pulse power. Is this correct? I have both types of power packs around, but like the MRC 350 with a walk around throttle to control my non-converted fleet of locos.
I do know not to have DC locos on a DCC powered track. Just making sure I don't fry any decoders going the other way.
Thank you,
Richard
Cowman, I too would like to know the answer to your question. That and if running pulse if safe on any of the newer locomotives, even non DCC because the newer electronics and motors being made for use with DCC?, Ralph
It's possible some decoders may be confused by the pulse power, depending on just how the DC pack produces pulses. It won't fry the decoder. It won;t run if it mistakes the pulses for DCC signals though.
Pulse power is safe for anything but a coreless can motor. The only current production non-brass loco with coreless can motors is the new Kato P42 with the tiny little motors built right in to the trucks.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
DCC decoders will run on smooth DC power. Packs that put out pulsed DC won't work until the speed is turned way up. That's because the pulses smooth out at the higher settings.Decoders respond to a unique DCC packet which is a series of pulses. Pulsed DC looks like DCC to the decoder so it just sits there unless it gets the unique pulse that will make it go. Once it sees what appears to be smooth DC, it will respond in analog mode. Usually that includes a jackrabbit start.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Thank you for your replys. Since I don't plan to run DCC locos with the DC pack often, glad to know I don't need to change to avoid damaging electronic components.
Ralph, hope this helps. That's one of the nice thing about the forums, it's a good place to find answers, whether we ask the question ourselves or not. Sometimes I have even gotten an answer to a question that I hadn't even thought of, but it saved me problems as I moved along the learning curve.
Thanks again,
Richard, Yes it does! Thanks to you, Randy and Mark.
Ralph