Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

DCC SYSTEMS

2064 views
15 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    December 2004
  • From: Bedford, MA, USA
  • 21,481 posts
Posted by MisterBeasley on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 8:55 AM

Welcome aboard!  Welcome

I'm also going to suggest spending a bit more to get a DCC system that will do what you will want later on.  Digitrax, NCE, Lenz, MRC and CVP all make pretty good systems.  (I apologize if I've left anyone out.)  My Lenz system is 10 years old now and still running fine.

If you can, try the different throttles.  That's your personal interface to the system, so in all likelihood the throttle you like best will be the system you like best.  Throttles are NOT interchangeable between systems, unfortunately, so the comfort factor of your throttle is something you want to get right the first time.

It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse. 

  • Member since
    April 2011
  • From: About 20 minutes from IRM
  • 430 posts
Posted by CGW121 on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 8:16 AM

1 Get your wiring right. I ran a buss using 14 gauge wire and dropped track feeders every 3 feet. Works wonderfully.

2 Get a system that will last as long as you are in the hobby. Dont be penny wise and pound foolish.

 

I went with Digitrax, beause that is what my club has. READ THE FULL MANUAL. As with so many things a lot of people do not. It is nice to have other people who are more experienced to walk you thru it but the manual is an excellant resource. And no I do not find it complex.

Mike

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • From: Southeast Texas
  • 5,449 posts
Posted by mobilman44 on Tuesday, December 22, 2015 7:48 AM

Hi,

If you believe modelrailroading will be a long term interest of yours, I strongly suggest you save your money until you can get an entry level system from the likes of Digitrax or NCE.  These are expandable, and you will never regret buying them.  There are other excellent systems (Lenz), but for the majority of the DCC folks (at least the ones we read about), Digitrax and NCE are the way to go.

ENJOY  !

 

Mobilman44

 

Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central 

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Southern Quebec, Canada
  • 868 posts
Posted by Guy Papillon on Monday, December 21, 2015 11:44 PM

When I decided to switch from DC to DCC a few years ago, I opted for the NCE Power Cab and never regretted my choice.

 

Guy

Modeling CNR in the 50's

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • 13 posts
Posted by NOPB2013 on Monday, December 21, 2015 10:53 PM
Thank ya'll very much. I will look into the NCE.
  • Member since
    July 2006
  • From: Bradford, Ontario
  • 15,797 posts
Posted by hon30critter on Monday, December 21, 2015 8:46 PM

NOPB2013:

Your DCC skills will improve with time. The Bachmann E-Z Command will not. If you cannot adjust sound volume or start up voltage or momentum etc. etc. etc. it likely won't be long before you will want to improve your DCC system so you can do those things and more.

Without wishing to spend your money, I would suggest that you invest in an NCE Powercab. You will not regret it.

Dave

I'm just a dude with a bad back having a lot of fun with model trains, and finally building a layout!

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, December 21, 2015 8:22 PM

Most decoders are limited to one amp which includes motor and lighting current. Some locos have light bulbs, some LED's. LED's much lower current requirements.

Many DC only locos have the frame in two halves, especially diesels and the two motor contacts have to be isolated.

Many steamers have one motor contact on the frame. The other contact is connected to the tender.

There are many variables in converting DC to DCC.

Connections between each track section have to be good or you end up with poor or intermittent running.

The microprocessor on the decoder resets if there is any interruption of power. With DC, many times you would hardly ever notice a quick interruption.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    April 2003
  • 305,205 posts
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, December 21, 2015 8:10 PM

NOPB2013

HO scale, I was looking at all the dcc systems, I was looking at price 1st, and I know to get what you pay for. Are they somewhat easy to wire?

Looking at price first is probably not the best way buy a DCC system.  Look into the features of the other options on the market and shop around for something a lot better.  You would probably be better off saving your money and buying a NCE or Digitrax starter system that can be upgraded.  A few years from now you may find that your money situtation has changed and you can budget more for your model railroad and want to expand.  Your EzCommand station will be holding you back.  NCE (its what I use) explains their upgrade path here: https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/203537009-Which-system-do-I-need-

I have a friend whose layout is run with the Bachmann Ez Command setup.  All decoder programing must be done on other layouts.  You are limited to 10 locomotive addresses and you can only access 10 functions on sound decoders.  You can run the old style consist (multiple locomotives together) by programming them to the same address, but you have no way to speed match them (they wont run together well or at all).  If you are planning on installing your own decoders in DC locomotives you already own (saves money as well),  the EZ command station will only let you program the address of the locomotive, but you might find that the locomotive needs CVs adjusted to work properly (not something the Bachmann system does). 

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • 13 posts
Posted by NOPB2013 on Monday, December 21, 2015 8:04 PM

Thanx for the info, if yall think of anything else please post. I have been railroading since I was 10, but this my first dcc, layout is 7' x 15'.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, December 21, 2015 7:49 PM

You can operate sound decoders with the push buttons, just cannot adjust any CV's but that may not be an issue when starting out. A couple users at the Bachmann forums use the EZ Command and it suits them to be fair to Bachmann.

If no DCC locos, yet, Micro Mark is one seller that has some good prices. DCC ready, no decoder, DCC on board and DCC with sound locos. The Bachmann website has product descriptions.

DC only locos can sometime be converted but that is another issue as you will find out.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,247 posts
Posted by tstage on Monday, December 21, 2015 7:45 PM

NOPB2013,

If cost is an issue I would only pay $40 - tops! - for an E-Z Command.  While it does what it does well, it's VERY limited.  I used one for a year and enjoyed it but I only paid $50 for it, and that was 11 years ago.  For $100 more you can get a much better, more robust, and expandable starter DCC system that will allow you to do much more.

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, December 21, 2015 7:42 PM

Easy to wire,. Connect two wires to the track. BUT, a lot depends on the size of the layout. DCC is susceptible to any interruption of the DCC signal.

Plastic turnout frogs and reverse loops are issues.

You can run two or three locos.

Here is a link to DCC for layouts. Yes it is a lot but stick with something you can handle.

http://www.wiringfordcc.com/intro2dcc.htm#a1

 If you stick with Bachmann, join the Bachmann forums. There is a forum for HO scale.

Reps there with many users of Bachmann products.

Kamlbach has a good book for new users.

You can get the EZ Command at ebay for a good price.

Good luck. Try to do a lot of research first. No idea on your level of DCC experience.

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    May 2011
  • 743 posts
Posted by Steven S on Monday, December 21, 2015 7:35 PM

If you're choosing Bachman because of money constraints, you might consider this low-cost system that some guy developed using an Arduino board.  He released the software for free. You can follow it's development over at the Trainboard forum...

http://www.trainboard.com/highball/index.php?threads/introducing-dcc-a-complete-open-source-dcc-station-and-interface.84800/

You could probably build the entire system for under $50 dollars.  Uno clones can be found for as low as $10, the motor shield for $20, and a power supply for $10.  You'll need to connect it to a computer, although someone is working to make it self-contained in the Arduino board.  You could use a cell phone as a throttle, assuming you've got one.  If not, cheap Android phones can be bought for $15.

Here's the Youtube channel for the guy who is developing it.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJmvQx-fe0OMAIH-_g-_rZw/videos

 

Steve S

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • 13 posts
Posted by NOPB2013 on Monday, December 21, 2015 7:25 PM

HO scale, I was looking at all the dcc systems, I was looking at price 1st, and I know to get what you pay for. Are they somewhat easy to wire?

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Monday, December 21, 2015 6:57 PM

It can be used with any track as well as any other DCC system. BUT, it is old school. Cannot be expanded and cannot adjust CV's in the decoder. Can only run the loco and change the loco address. Only a starter system.

There are better systems out there. Much, much better.

Digitrax and NCE come to mind.

I use the NCE Power Cab that can be expanded. Can run three sound locos.

There are good Digitrax systems also.

What scale?

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    December 2012
  • 13 posts
DCC SYSTEMS
Posted by NOPB2013 on Monday, December 21, 2015 6:48 PM

Can the Bachmann EZ Command system be used with your own track work, or only with the Bachmann track? Also, is the Bachmann system a good system? I am rebuilding my entire layout and going back with dcc.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!