In my condo I have a very small amount of space so a layout is not an option.
What I'm looking to do is create a small setup with only 2-3 feet of track and a system that can program and test my DCC locos. It should also be able to run DC locos as I got some in cold storage for a while now.
I've heard of (and seen videos) of the MRC Tech 6 system that can do a lot of things including running DC units (I think the only thing it can't do isex change the address of the loco - that's something I would like to do). Is that worth it or is a better option?
Any brand is acceptable. Your thoughts on this is greatly appreciated.
Look at the Digitrax Zepher Xtra and Pr4 running JMRI. The zepher will run the DC locos without any real issues.
If this helps, I took a piece of plywood 6" wide and 4 ft long and tacked a 3 ft piece of flex track to it. I then soldered on two leads with female plugs. One for my MRC Decoder Dr and one for my DC power pack. I also attached 2 inches of soft foam at each end as a safety against run away locos. I used female plugs on the test track to prevent any shorts.
I have a piece of laminated shelf material from Lowes that I built a small test track on. It has a couple of rerailer sections plus enough straight track to fill it out to the end. At each end is a Kadee couple gauge (mine are metal so I gapped a rail to keep them from shorting). From one end I also marked out distances as the NMRA recommended weight for a car of that length. It currently has a Digitrax PR3 and an ESU Lokprogrammer selectable with a DPDT toggle, but that very eaisly could be a connection to DCC and to a DC power pack. A future project is to integrate one in a new workbench that has at least 3 options - DCC, Lokprogrammer, and DC. A 2 pole rotary switch would work fine for this. You'd want a non-shorting type - or one with at least 5 positions so you could have a device, a blank space, a second device, a blank space, and the third device - thus no chance of one device even momentarily getting connected to another one. It sounds 10x more complex than it actually is.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
On my layout which was DC, I had a four pin socket on the fascia for a DC power pack I had made. Two pins for low voltage AC and two pins for the variable DC from the hand held throttle.
When I got an NCE Power Cab, I used those the two pins going to the track for DCC. Left the other two pins alone. That way I could switch between DC and DCC easily.
Actually my first DCC controller was a MRC2K that had five throttles. One could be a DC loco. Gave that system away.
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.
My vote is for a sprog. It is a self-enclosed DCC system. It can program and also run a locomotive Via JMRI. It comes with a power supply and its two wires to the rails. If you want you can add in a DPDT switch (center off is recommended) and get yourself a DC powerpack. You then can test with DC before swtiching to DCC. The whole Sprog unit is about 2x3 inches. The Sprog has been able to program every locomotive I own. The only thing it can't do is download sounds (ie. for LokSound or Digitrax decoders) It can program them but can't load new sounds.
Colorado Front Range Railroad: http://www.coloradofrontrangerr.com/
Renegade1cMy vote is for a sprog. It is a self-enclosed DCC system.
I agree.
My "test track" is about fifteen feet long. Beside the Sprogg I have an ESU Lokprogrammer and an MRC Tech 3 powerpack with meters.
I used a two-pole six position rotary switch to select the input I want to use. I also have a jumper with a connector to run a ESU decoder tester if I choose.
Using a six position rotary (I already had it on hand) allows me to have a blank spot between each selection. Not that it is really necessary but it helps to keep me aware of what the switch is set for.
Cheers, Ed
70humdingerWhat I'm looking to do is create a small setup with only 2-3 feet of track and a system that can program and test my DCC locos. It should also be able to run DC locos as I got some in cold storage for a while now.
i think we'd all like to have the ability to quickly test a DC loco before we install a decoder. I have a PWM throttle I plug into the NCE PCP instead of a PowerCab to drive a DC locomotive.
i built a simple PWM throttle with an RJ-12 6-pin cable that plugs into an NCE PCP instead of a PowerCab. The diagram below shows a 6-pin cable. It shows the 4 pins for RS-485 communication and power from the wall. It doesn't show that the outer 2 pins are power to the track from the PowerCab. My PWM throttle takes power from pins 2 and 5 and provides PWM to the track pins, 1 and 6.
you could make a cable that takes track power from a standard throttle and puts it on pins 1 and 6 of an RJ-12 cable
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Thanks. Looked it up (Digitrax Zephyr Xtra) and watched some YouTube videos about it. Looks like the answer I'm seeking. Now just to find wiring and some sectional track...
I built a small, storable track to test DC locos before conversion to DCC. For that aspect, consider including a DC voltmeter and amp meter. This photo shows only one meter. Both are quite inexpensive on EBay. Also, if making temporary hookups like I do, with a jumper having alligator clips on the end, consider a fuse that may be useful in case shorting the wires.
20171122_120803 by Paul Ahrens, on Flickr
I do not use this for DCC program track, as my program track is on the layout.
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent