TA462 So in one sentence you say I'm wrong and then the next one you say I'm right. LOLOL. Just to be VERY CLEAR. Some systems you can run a DC locomotive and some you can't which makes the original comment NOT TRUE. It really doesn't get much clearer then that.
So in one sentence you say I'm wrong and then the next one you say I'm right. LOLOL.
Just to be VERY CLEAR. Some systems you can run a DC locomotive and some you can't which makes the original comment NOT TRUE. It really doesn't get much clearer then that.
Except you threw out a blanket "it's not true" statement, indicating that running a non-decodered engine on address was was not possible. Period. With no qualifications or clarifications.
The original comment IS true, the only caveat that needs to be added is "if your DCC command system supports that feature. Some newer systems don't support this anymore."
You first unqualified "no that's not true" comment implied that it was not true for ANY system. Which is actually more wrong than the original comment.
Chris van der Heide
My Algoma Central Railway Modeling Blog
You can use a DPDT switch to use a DCC and a DC power pack to power your track. Connect the track bus to the switch in the "common" position. Wire the power packs to the other poles, so when one is lined to the rails, the other won't be. This way, you can switch between inputs. It's helpful to use an "ON-OFF-ON" configuration.
Previous cautions are well founded though. Make sure you don't have any DCC locos on your track when you put DC power to it, or fry something you will. Supposedly, decoders labeled "dual mode" will work on DC power, but I'm skeptical. At any rate, they'll all move at the speed appropriate to the voltage output of the DC pack, not independently like on a DCC layout.
Connecticut Valley Railroad A Branch of the New York, New Haven, and Hartford
"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right." -- Henry Ford
It works with Bachmann EZ-Command (function key 10) and the Digitrax Zephyr (address 0), both of which I have.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
TA462 IVRW: DC: Forwards, Backwards, all based on current level in track. Can be run on DCC layouts on address 00. That's not true.
IVRW: DC: Forwards, Backwards, all based on current level in track. Can be run on DCC layouts on address 00.
DC: Forwards, Backwards, all based on current level in track. Can be run on DCC layouts on address 00.
That's not true.
It is true, but:
1. Not really recommended
2. Some systems may actually not support "Address 0 operation", so it may not work with all DCC command systems.
One word of MAJOR CAUTION: AS you convert to DCC, some DCC controllers will operate ONE DC loco as well as the DCC locos. I would suggest you change ALL locos over to DCC only and only operate that way. If you have to operate locos that are some DC only and some DCC only, you are bound to make a mistake somewhere along the way and fry something. I got rid of my DC only locos when I went DCC even though My Bachmann EZ COmmand DCC system will run a DC loco on adress 10. That way I have NO confusion and all I run is DCC. I am not adept at converting,nor will I pay someone a higher price to convert the DC locos to DCC than I paid for the loco to begin with. Not worth it.
ANOTHER WORD OF CAUTION: Some people try to slowly change their layouts from DC to DCC and leave sections that are DC only and sections that are DCC only. Unless you have a switch to control which is which at any given time, you will again surely make a mistake and fry something. You can get away with it if you have, say, two separte loops that DO NOT MEET together and run one as DC and one as DCC, but again I CAUTION YOU: you can make a mistake and fry something.
I did this without retiring my DC locos entirely They sit on display in the office during the year and run on my wifes holiday layout in December which is regular DC
Joe Staten Island West
DCC Ready: DC locomotive, but has provisions for modeler installed DCC Decoder.
DCC: Has computer chip inside which can decipher individually addressed commands. Can control functions like sound and lights. Can be run on DC layout, but functions cant be accessed.
~G4
19 Years old, modeling the Cowlitz, Chehalis, and Cascade Railroad of Western Washington in 1927 in 6X6 feet.
again guys thanks for all the info you have provided
JeremyB Back again guys Looking at engines at walthers and I see for engines there are "DC only" "DCC equipped" and "DCC ready" I know that the DCC models cant run on my old DC layout but what about the engines that say they are DCC ready, what does that Mean? Does it mean they have everything all ready to go except a decoder? I want to jump into DCC some point but when the financial situation settles down for me, so for now its just old DC units for me. Companies are doing away with DC are they? Thanks Jeremy
Back again guys
Looking at engines at walthers and I see for engines there are "DC only" "DCC equipped" and "DCC ready"
I know that the DCC models cant run on my old DC layout but what about the engines that say they are DCC ready, what does that Mean? Does it mean they have everything all ready to go except a decoder?
I want to jump into DCC some point but when the financial situation settles down for me, so for now its just old DC units for me. Companies are doing away with DC are they?
Thanks
Jeremy
Although your questions seem to have been answered I will answer them again:
"DC ONLY" means it will run on DC only and has no decoder in it. Chances are the motor is not isolated from the frame either and would have to be done to convert to DCC.This Loco you can operate only on DC.
"DCC READY" means it is ready to CONVERT to DCC, usually by a plug connector for a decoder in it that has a jumper plug in it to operate on DC only. I say USUALLY because some will still require you to hard wire {solder} a decoder in. It also means the motor is isolated from the frame already. You can operate this loco on DC only.
"DCC Equiped" Means the motor is isolated and a decoder has been installed. While some say you can operate on a DC layout with less than desirable results. I would stick to running it ONLY on A DCC layout.
ANY of the first two above, with varying degrees, can be converted to DCC. It is not impossible to convert any DC operating loco to DCC IF you know what you are doing, or pay someone to do it.
The third {DCC equiped} is already "there". Now there are varying degrees to that too. SOme are DCC equiped only for speed, lighting, and direction, and are generally low cost to buy. Others are DCC equiped for sound as well and have advanced features like BEMF, and are high in cost to buy, and have a variety of sounds such as bells, whistles, horns, conductor wording {All Aboard, tickets please, etc} and engineer words as well.,, etc. WHile sound is neat, it hurts my ears after about 5 mins and I would have to turn it off. Many also agree in that it often sounds "tinny" from such small speakers. SOme are in rapture about sound effects.
If you plan on converting to DCC in the future I would stick with buying only "DCC REady" locos that you can convert easily down the road. Litchfield Station is a good place to find your proper decoder: http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php The owner there is very knowlegeable about what decoder goes to what engine. ASk for him. You can also use any decoder you like, as most play well with others, and a digitrax Nscale or Z scale decoder {smaller in size and often easier to fit} can operate a HO engine, as Jeffrey Wmberly {Running Bear} above can attest to as that is how he equips his locos.
ANOTHER WORD OF CAUTION: Some people try to slowly change their layouts from DC to DCC and leave sections that are DC only and sections that are DCC only. Unless you have a switch to control which is which at any given time, you will again surely make a mistake and fry something. You can get away with it if you have, say, two separte loops that DO NOT MEET together and run one as DC and one as DCC, but again I CAUTION YOU: you can make a mistake and fry something
So, In your case I would buy only "DCC ready" {with "plug-n-play decoder plugs} and convert them all at once to DCC when you convert your whole layout to DCC. ANy DC only locos I would get rid of, uness you are sentimentally attached to one and want to convert it yourself or pay someone to do it for you.The rest I would buy are DCC and wait till you have converted your layyout to all DCC.
YOur last question of "companies are doing away with DC, are they?" Well, yes and no. AS DCC becomes more popular they are adding more DCC locos or DCC READY locos to their fleets. Most likely all locos in the future will be at least DCC READY so the user has a choice. There are still staunch supporters of DC only who will only buy DC only or DCC READY locos with the DC jumper installed. To each his own. I do believe DCC is the way of the future, just as much as computerized car motors are nowaday. WE will be forced into DCC if that is what the Manufacturers make.
I, myself, jumped back into the hobby 6 years ago and had O-O/27 and N scale as a teen. I wanted HO this time and started aquiring a DC fleet of locos until I had read enough about this new fangled thing called DCC, which for my small layout meant I could get away just 2 wires connected to one large "block" and I could run up to 3 locos at once, each one in any direction, and could swap over from the inner oval to the outter oval with out any problem or block switching. I have no reverse loops or any such thing that can short the layout. I did add a few feeder wires as I wanted good continuity on the other side of the layout formthe EZ C station. To AVOID any comfusion, even though I can run one DC loco on the EXZC, I put away and will sell the DC locos so I don't make a mistake. I can fry a toaster by putting 2 slices of bread in it and pressing the lever down!
-G .
Just my thoughts, ideas, opinions and experiences. Others may vary.
HO and N Scale.
After long and careful thought, they have convinced me. I have come to the conclusion that they are right. The aliens did it.
David Parks I am the terror that flaps in the night!
JeremyB and dcc ready is a wholeman explained above
and dcc ready is a wholeman explained above
Many DCC decoders, in fact most modern decoders are dual mode and will run on DCC and DC. But as Jeff points out the performance on DC will not be as good as if they were straight DC locos. DC compatibility is a feature that can be disabled in the decoder for DCC users that do not want to ever use the loco on DC.
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
DCC equipped means it has a decoder in it.
really Jeff
A DCC engine would run on standard DC layout?
ahh cheers
I knew when I was looking at some models I was good with DC, just didnt know what dcc equipped meant.
Most DCC equipped locos will run on DC but they'll be slower. If it's a sound DCC equipped loco you'd likely be disappointed with it on DC.
DCC ready means that there is dummy plug to allow the locomotive operate in DC only. In order to convert the loco to DCC, you need to unplug the dummy plug and plug in the decoder. It's that simple.
Any locomotive can be converted to DCC as long as:
1. The motor is isolated from the frame
2. The locomotive runs smooth in DC
3. The motor does not exceed the amps that the decoder is rated for
Will