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Future Digitrax DCC System

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  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Saturday, August 2, 2014 12:07 PM

angelob6660

Is there any problems about the DCC system that I should know about?

 

The buttons on the throttle are small.  Sometimes they tend to stick, but you will get used to it.  Don't think that you can take the system out of the box and use it without reading the instructions.  READ the instructions when you have trouble with something.  That way you will learn it better than coming here and asking questions that the manual has answers for.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,683 posts
Posted by maxman on Saturday, August 2, 2014 1:06 AM

angelob6660
Can this system speed match diesels in a multiple-unit consist?

Just to be clear, locos are not speed matched "in multiple unit consists".  They are speed matched to each other individually and then consisted.

Speed matching is a decoder function.  The decoder has to have the capability to adjust motor voltage, either through the use of several CVs (configuration variables 2, 5, and 6...min, max, and mid speed), or through the use of speed curves (either built in or modeler adjustable...a series of different CVs).  Some decoders lack CVs 5 and 6 and can only be adjusted by the other CV speed curve method.  And some decoders may have CV 2 but be lacking the other speed curve CVs.  The command station you purchase only needs to be able to enter values into the decoder CVs.  The Digitrax system you mention does have this capability.

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Friday, August 1, 2014 11:21 PM

Is there any problems about the DCC system that I should know about?

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    September 2007
  • From: Charlotte, NC
  • 6,099 posts
Posted by Phoebe Vet on Friday, August 1, 2014 10:23 PM

angelob6660

Can this system speed match diesels in a multiple-unit consist?

 

 

Yes.

Dave

Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Posted by angelob6660 on Friday, August 1, 2014 6:33 PM

Can this system speed match diesels in a multiple-unit consist?

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • 409 posts
Posted by ba&prr on Friday, August 1, 2014 4:19 PM

Digitrax has 2 throttle styles: the DT402x and UT4x.   The DT comes with the sets and are 3 variables: tetherd, simplex or duplex wireless. Same with the UT4. The DT402 is 2 throttles in one and can be used to program and operate locos and decoders and programm/ operate stationary decoders. The UT can only run the loco's and operate  functions F0 through F12. The DT402x can do F0 fo F28. If you go wireless, you need a wireless throttle and correct UR panel.  Joe

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Westchester NY
  • 1,747 posts
Posted by retsignalmtr on Thursday, July 31, 2014 11:46 PM

The throttle you get with the system has the ability to control two trains at the same time.

You can run DC locos on this system by selecting the address of 0, but it is recmmnended that you not run them too long and not leave them on the track powered with DCC as the motors will get very warm. Mu'ing DC locos with DCC locos does not work very well as the DC locos can't be speed matched to the DCC equiped locos.

Running DCC and Sound equipped locos is what it is designed for and decoders by other manufacturers will run ok, but some of the decoders do not support all the programming functions.

 

  • Member since
    May 2012
  • 1,855 posts
Future Digitrax DCC System
Posted by angelob6660 on Thursday, July 31, 2014 11:14 PM

I'm planning on buying a Digitrax DCC system. It's going to be the Super Chief xtra 5 Amp. It will have a capacity of 120 locomotives, but I would need two throttles.

Can I run DC locomotives with the DCC system with it, when I buy DCC locomotives for it?

My future locomotives will have DCC/Sound equipped, will this work?

Can it work with different decorders another than Digitrax?

Modeling the G.N.O. Railway, The Diamond Route.

Amtrak America, 1971-Present.

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