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Running US engines (DCC) in Europe

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 8 posts
Posted by RayLev on Friday, October 7, 2016 4:28 PM

Thanks for all the help...I've got my way ahead.

And, JDBerlin, thanks for the links to the German stores.  As I travel around Germany I'll have to include these in my travels.  Unfortunately, none are near Stuttgart!

But I'll survive Big Smile

 

 

  • Member since
    April 2013
  • 63 posts
Posted by JDberlin on Friday, October 7, 2016 3:36 PM

Dealers to contact

http://www.aat-net.de/

http://www.kieskemper-shop.de/public/start.aspx?suid=1160&zid=96321b75-ef63-4134-b4ba-e2e995a51b31

http://www.modellbahn-atelier-berlin.de/

Send them an e-mail if you don't see what you want. I use English first and

a google translation underneath. So far they have everything available in the US

for DCC operations.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 1:41 PM

Check the power pack for your system. If it is a universal power pack, you will see something like 100vav to 240vac. Also have to adapt the prongs.

If only 120vac, you need a step down transformer or a power pack that provides what your DCC system requires. We need to know what your system is.

I remember many years ago military people coming and going would sell there stuff to each other.

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
    July 2016
  • From: Cumberland Plateau
  • 393 posts
Posted by CentralGulf on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 1:15 PM

Presuming you have an existing system, the first thing to do is check what it requires for input power. Some of today's electronic equipment is designed to work anywhere in the world with nothing more than an adapter to mate the plug to the socket. Other equipment will have specific requirements, and you must be able to match its voltage and frequency requirements.

What do you have and what does its manual say?

 

  • Member since
    February 2005
  • From: Vancouver Island, BC
  • 23,330 posts
Posted by selector on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 12:59 PM

All your decoder cares about is getting A/C square wave in DCC format and within the voltage range for which it is specified to run.  If you can use a step-down transformer to get your wall socket from 220-240 down to 16 volts at the track, you should be fine.  If you hope to use a N. American system, you'll need to be mindful of supplying it with what a N. American outlet would supply it with a power supply designed for that purpose.

Or, if you don't mind the expense, purchase a German system, say Lenz, and it should do all that for you...provide about 16 volts in a square wave DCC format at the tracks, and your decoders will be able to use that as they would in America.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • 8 posts
Running US engines (DCC) in Europe
Posted by RayLev on Tuesday, September 27, 2016 11:44 AM

I've moved to Germany and obviously want to run my US engines on a layout here.  Is it as simple as buying a German transformer and DCC and attaching it to the track?

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