Edit post

Edit your reply below.

Post Body
Enter your post below.
[quote]QUOTE: Digitrax, NCE, and Lenz all have a true two-way multiple access network. Each command station communicates with the throttles. This is evident with the DT400 (Digitrax) and the ProCab (NCE) in which information from the command station is displayed.[/quote] False, the NCE and Lenz systems have limits, no true call and then response, it is done in a serial array, versus the ethernet standard. [quote]QUOTE: As far as adding boosters to an NCE system, nothing is easier than daisy-chaining them with RJ11 phone cable available from Radio Shack.[/quote] The same way as Digitrax, however I believe with the NCE some configuration is required of the system. My Digitrax boosters are plug and play, with the exeception of one jumper to lable it a booster. [quote]QUOTE: Address 00 is used to broadcast command to ALL devices/decoders on the layout. Every NMRA compliant decoder will respond to instructions sent on address 00 - that is the NMRA spec. For example, the command for emergency stop. [/quote] OVER THE LAYOUT! There is no address 00 brodcast over the layout for the analog train. The 00 brodcast is only on loconet to tell the booster to: [quote]QUOTE: stretches the pulse negatively or positively to make the non-decoder equipped locomotive move. For simplicity's sake, we'll say the voltage applied to the rails is AC (though it is truly not AC but that is way beyond the scope of this forum). When the non-decoder equipped loco is sitting still, you will hear a noticable hum coming from the motor. This is the AC going back and forth equally in each direction. The motor is going back and forth so fast that it doesn't move (plus you are burning out the motor as DC motors aren't meant to be exposed to such signals). When you use the throttle to move the loco forward, the command station changes the pulse from being equally back and forth to being slightly more forward than backward. You will notice that the faster you go, the more the hum dimenishes. The same thing happens when you go in reverse but the pulse is stretched more negatively (or backward) than positively (forward).[/quote] Of course it would fry the decoders, ever thought that I was simplifying things? Isn't putting more positive pulse on than negative almost the same as saying that you gave it more power? [quote]QUOTE: The ability to do this with a non-decoder equipped loco makes it non NMRA compliant.[/quote] How so? Why does it matter? The system still works perfectly with your decoders! It still operates with NMRA compliancy! Why does it matter that I can let my neighbor run his train on my layout? Isn't that the whole goal, to have fun? Why would you care if my system can run an analog locomotive? Is that going to make you somehow angry? I don't understand why anyone would look down on a something because it has an optional feature that does not affect any other feature of it. If you don't like that particular feature, don't use the offending feature. Don't call the product bad because of it. It is like saying that a particular car is bad because it has fold down seats. If you don't like the fold down seats, then don't use them. It is no reason not to buy the car if it has all of the other features you are looking for, and, failing that, telling others that the car is bad because of it.
Tags (Optional)
Tags are keywords that get attached to your post. They are used to categorize your submission and make it easier to search for. To add tags to your post type a tag into the box below and click the "Add Tag" button.
Add Tag

Update Reply

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!

Model Railroader Newsletter See all

Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!

Subscriber & Member Login

Edit post

Post Body

Tags (Optional)

Subscriber & Member Login

Users Online

Search the Community