DCC plug-ins

[johncolley]

My rookie question for today is: I know there are differences in the various brands of DCC even though they all basically subscribe to the NMRA standards, But is the wiring and plug-ins for Digitrax and NCE the same or different? I think one(which?) uses 6 wire RJ-12, but am not sure if both do? The reason I ask is that I am partial to NCE but I am building Free-mo modules that need to run on Digitrax. So do I need 2 sets of wiring? Oh DUH, if I use RADIO NCE then I can wire the modules for digitrax, eh? Just add one connection for NCE?

[darth9x9]

Hey John,

I assume you are talking about the throttle bus of the two sysyems. If so, the answer is: yes, they are different. Digitrash, uh,,, I mean, Digitrax has a proprietary throttle bus called LocoNet. No one elses throttles will work on a Digitrax throttle bus. There is no NMRA standard yet on throttle bus specs. NCE and Atlas which are based on Lenz's specs are working together to have interchangable throttles.

BTW, the wireless systems between the two are also incompatable.

I would recommend you stay partial to NCE especially if you want to go wireless as you can perform all programming functions with NCE wireless and you can't with Digitrax. Digitrax can't make or break a consist with wireless: Digitrax calls it a feature - yeah right!....just like Microsoft calls all of their bugs features.

If you truly desire to build a FreMo module and you want to run it with both systems, put in both buses. If you need/desire to have a throttle plug (UTP), you will need to include one of each on your module(s).

I hope this helps.

[der5997]

darth9x9: Do you know if the MRC Prodigy is Lenz compatible?
I'm not having much success getting replies to questions from MRC themselves.

[michealfarley]

Check out CVP Products. They make wireless systems that are compatable with Atlas, NCE, and Lenz.

[darth9x9]

Hey John (der5997),

MRC systems also use a proprietary buses. As a matter of fact, MRC systems aren't compatible with each other! The Prodigy and Command 2000 system components won't work together.

Just to clarify, the Atlas Commander system is Lenz compatible with regards to throttles and throttle busses.

The NCE bus and the Lenz bus use the same communications protocols and hardware (RS-485), but a different command set and data rate. Therefore, they aren't compatible yet - but they are working on it.

[johncolley]

No one has addressed my question! For NCE and Digitrax are the cab plug-ins 6 wire RJ-12 connectors on both? I believe from the connector to the walkaround controller that NCE only uses 4 wires, but the connectors on the fascia are 6 wire. I need to know if Digitrax is the same ? I realize they can't talk to each other, but if the wiring and connector are basically the same, a person could use either one at differrent meets.

[darth9x9]

John,

The answer is NO, they are not the same. The NCE and Digitrax UTPs (the socket in which you plug your throttle in) have very different electronics on the circuit boards and they are NOT interchangable. Again, if you want to run both systems, you will need a Digitrax UTP for running with the FreMos and an NCE UTP for running on your system.

I recently helped Howard Zane convert his Digitrax layout to NCE and all of the throttle jacks as well as the throtle bus had to be replaced.

[johncolley]

Thanks, Darth9x9, that's what I wanted to know! Much appreciated, happy railroading!