Installing DCC Decoders With a Current DC Layout

[KisNap]

Hi,

I plan on having a DCC layout in the future, but currently I have a DC layout.  I would like to start converting engines to DCC over time, but will they still operate in DC?  I currently have a F40PH with the MRC sound decoder and their accessory that allows me to use it like a DCC locomotive, but when I have my layout in regular DC mode it draws so much power that it just creeps along.  If I start changing over other locomotives to Digitrax or other decoders should I expect the same performance?

Basically I'm trying to find out if I can use the locomotives on a DC layout once I convert them over to DCC.

Thanks for your input!

[skagitrailbird]

Lots of info for you at this link:

http://www.trainorders.com/discussion/read.php?3,1142005

Good luck.

[KisNap]

Thank you. That was very informative, but the discussion was back in 2006. I would imagine that by now there'd be less controversy about the performance on DC after installing a decoder. I have the Bachmann HHP-8 which comes DCC ready and it runs fine, but my Kato F40PH (MRC sound decoder about 5 years old) crawls.

[Train Modeler]

Make sure all the decoders you use are "dual mode", that means for DCC or DC.   Check out the TCS decoders for nonsound.   Sound decoders require a lot more DC voltage to get going for a variety of reasons.  Tsunami's work fine on DC.   I did it for years with my layout around the tree. 

Richard

[rrinker]

 A motor only decoder, operating on DC, will only require a slight extra bit of throttle to move. There is effective a 2 diode drop, total of 1.4 volts, between the rails and the motor when the decoder is run on DC. SO - not much.

 A DCC/SOUND loco running on DC is a completely different story. The electronics to make the sound need 5 volts or more to operate. In order to not have it run so the loco is moving around and the sounds haven;t even started up, the starting voltage is raised above the sound circuitry voltage, so you can have a non-moving loco making idling sounds, turn ont eh bell, sound the horn, etc, and then move. This is where you end up turning the throttle up halfway or more just to get the sound to start, and then only have a short bit of control to adjust the loco speed. Nature of the beast.

 Your best bet? Just go DCC. Gradually add decoderws to your locos, instead of worrying about shelling out for dozens of decoders all at once. The ones not yet converted will just have to wait their turn. Unless you only have a handful of locos and can buy all the decoders at once.

                         --Randy

[jjdamnit]

Hello all,

I was in your same dilemma. I was running DCC equipped/DC compatible locos on my DC layout.

Finally I converted my pike to DCC; which I should have done in the first place, and am now in the process of adding decoders to the remaining locos. (See Project Athearn Blue Box DCC install under the Electronics and DCC forum.)

I’m not running sound in my locos so the conversions have been pretty straight forward.

Hope this helps.

[MisterBeasley]

How many DC locomotives do you have?  My personal experiece, and what I've read here over the years, is that the best plan is to convert the layout to DCC and then slowly add the decoders to the DC engines, not the other way around.  That way, you will get the immediate reward for every engine.

[Baggio]

Excuse my ignorance, but if you do not have sound on your DCC locos, what is the point of going DCC?

By that I mean, can you not achieve the same objective of running two or more locos at the same time on the same track by using blocks or sections where you simply cut out the power to make sure one loco does not hit the other?

Am I missing something?

Thanks.

[RideOnRoad]

Baggio

Excuse my ignorance, but if you do not have sound on your DCC locos, what is the point of going DCC?. . .

I have just starting converting my locomotives to DCC, no sound. So far I have found the following advantages:

• Speed matching
• Consisting
• (More) realistic acceleration and deceleration
• Limiting top-end speed
• Ease in running and controlling two trains at once

[Baggio]

How much does it cost to convert DC locos to DCC? 

I would not do it myself, so I need to know what a store should be asking for doing the job. It does sound expensive, however.

Thanks.