Inexpensive DCC Packages?

[Anonymous]

I have been interested in getting involved in DCC for a couple of years but couldn't really justify the start-up expense. It looks like a few companies have now released some packages in the $100-$150. Has anyone used them? Are they worthwhile, or would it be better just to ssave my money?

Thanks!
Tony

[nfmisso]

Tony;

The new Bachmann system, which is made by Lenz the inventor of DCC, is a good buy, and at the bottom of your price range. It is a great way to get into DCC on a limited basis.

Atlas's system is also made by Lenz. It has additional capabilities. And the Digitrax Zephyr is close to the high end of your range. The Zephyr has a huge number of opportunities for expansion.

They are all very good systems. If you are starting out with a 4 x 8 foot or similar sized layout, the Bachmann system will get you off to a great start with very little investment. If you have a basement sized empire, a Zephyr is a great place to start, and can rmain the heart of your system.

[Anonymous]

To tntyz: In my opinion, I would have to know how far you are ging with model railroading. Because of whatever intentions you have, the DCC system should fit it, or else you will find ourself buying another one and larger system later on. Provided the economical systems, such as Bachmann's produces, at least 5 amps, I would stay away from it. Someday, you might want a couple of Broadway Limited locos to run at the same time, along with a passenger train that has ten lights in five coaches, or whatever configuration that demands more than 5 amps. The Empire Builder (Digitrax) gives you only 5 amps, where was their top line, The Chief, gives out 8 amps. However, these are not economically classified, but they deliver the wholip you may need someday. I
do the "saving thing," and select a DCC system that you can grow to, instead of a DCC system that you may have to make IT grow. Many systems are not designed for "add-on" boosters, so to get larger, you have to buy the parger DCC system. I hope I've helped you in some meager way, because I'm still learning and need all the help I can get.

[krump]

November 2004 issue of MRR advertises the new Bachmann Easy DCC system for $95 USD (msrp) + shipping.
see pages14-15 (blue) for the E-Z Command DCC and the Bachmann DCC-Equipped Locomotives line.
- I'm considering that one. Not a bad way to start I figure...

the advertisement also indicates that the Bachmann E-Z Command system together with a DCC Bachmann locomotive sells for $140 USD (msrp) + shipping

[rrinker]

I really think people are getting either confused or misdirected over the 'amp' issue. What's more important is that if you don't want to spend big bucks and get a high end system right away is that the 'starter' system you get is expandable without starting over. How many amps you need is going to depend on how large the layut is and how many pieces of operating equipment there will be at one time. Keep in mind most of the 'typical' MRC packs that people have used successfully for years only put out 1.5-2 amps! Even blue-box Athearn (the newer ones with the tan motor) only draw about 1/2 amp running with a 10-15 car train (at least mine do). My Stewart and Proto 2K are more like 1/4 amp. Yes, stall one out and it' a lot higher. (this is HO, N scale stuff generally draws FAR less current)
Over time, it may not be as economical to buy the big system piece by piece, but when your budget is limited like most of us, you don't have much choice. And expanding has some added advantages - if you have multiple boosters then you can have multiple power districts and a short in one won't bring your whole railroad to a halt.
Which brings up the next point - power protection. Unless you are in S or larger scale, 8 amps into one set of rails is really too much. You can get some pretty nifty welding going on with 8 amps at 15 volts. There are various electronic circuit breakers on the market that will allow you to divide up your layout into sepaerate power districts with trip points at a much safer level.
The REAl difference between the Empire and Chief Digitrax sets is that the Chief (and the Zephyr starter set) has a seperate programmign track output and can read as well as write decoder configurations, whereas the Empire does not, you need to isolate the layout with a switch so you don;t accidently program every loco left on the rails, and you can only write the configuration information. To this end, I have started with a Zephyr, which ran my test track just fine, and allowed me to get rolling with DCC. Now I have a 8'x12' HO layout under construction that will most likely need more than the Zephyr's 2.5 amps once we have everything rolling (although - probably not, 4-6 locos moving, even Broadways, won't overload 2.5 amps) so I am going to purchase a Super Empire Builder set to expand (cheaper than buying the booster and throttle seperately, and I need the extra throttle anyway). The 5 amp output will power the track, and the Zephyr output will run stationary decoders to power my Tortoise switch machines (2.5 amps is power for a LOT of Tortoises!). The Zephyr will continue to be the command station, the Empire's DB150 will be used as just a booster. That means I keep the seperate programming track feature as well as the read back. It does mean I am limited to 10 (actually 12 - if you have a Zephyr try it, you can assign TWELVE locos before you get the FF 'Full' message) running locos instead of the Empire's 22, but for the size of my layout, 3 operaters each running a double header is about as much running stuff you will be able to have without running into one another. I do plan to get bigger - in fact go all the way around the walls of my basement. When I reach the point of being able to support more operators and need more than 10 locos running, I will likely purchase a Super Chief set and have up to 120 loco capactity, MORE than I would ever need (my basement is pretty big, but not THAT big!).
Also note that with MOSt systems, the limit is on how many powered units you can select and run at a time. You can own as many locos as you want. The Zephyr can run any 10 of an infinite number of locos at once, etc. This IMO is the biggest fault with the Bachmann and original MRC Prodigy (NOT the Prodigy Advance, it is a MUCH nicer system). In those systems, you program a loco to a button on the command station. It seems like a subtle difference, but it's a big one. On those systems, if you have more locos than buttons, some will be duplicated - and if you have two on the same button you will either have to remove one of the duplicates fromt he layout or put it on an isolated track so both don't move at the same time (unless you are doubleheadng, and WANT that to happen).

--Randy

[cmrproducts]

I really have to take issue with notion that an 8 amp system has more chance of welding or melting wheels/turnouts etc. If a layout is not wired properly then just about any system can cause melting of components. This notion of not needing #12 wire to wire a layout is what causes these so called reports of melting things.

I am running my whole layout with one 8 amp system and have not gotten around yet to separating it into blocks. We have twice monthly Ops sessions and my crew members like to, not watch which way the turnouts are thrown, so we have a lot of shorts. My command station always trips out instantly. And how do I know this? Everyone is yelling Who’s on the switch even before the command station is done beeping indicating a short. Usually you can’t hear the beep as everyone is yelling.

Why don’t I break it into blocks other than it takes a lot of time? It teaches those operators to look before running their equipment through a switch. It has gotten a lot better this past year as the operators that were constant problem makers are now thinking before they move.

But back to the welding/melting thing. So far we haven’t had any problems and we are running about 25 engines at a time and have been doing this for over 3 years. So if this problem with an 8 amp system causing this problem it sure would have showed up by now.

So it must be a wiring problem!

BOB H Clarion, PA

[rexhea]

[#ditto]
First of all, if you have a short, the max current (amps.) will go to the short. (Electricity always follows the easiest path.) When the current exceeds the breaker rating of the command station, the breaker trips. This is in milli seconds. It is near impossible that any "welding" will happen. Just short the track with a coin--no welding. If by chance the track breaker fails then the command station main power breaker will trip.

Topic:
Go with a DCC system that allows you to expand. Once you have been bitten by the rail bug, you will want your layout to grow.

REX [:)]

[Anonymous]

there are several very good starter systems, but if you plan on going further in the hobby, you may want to buy a very good advanced ssytem to accomidate your future needs.

Bachmann and Atlas's entry systems are just that, entry. they provide you the very basic components and features you need to operate a DCC layout. if you're not sure you're going to stay in the hobby or expand past 5-6 engines and a 4x8 layout, these will do you good for years.

On the otherhand, if you plan to operate more than 6 engines and plan on a larger layout, then it might be more economical to buy a better quality system now, than try to sell the old entry system later and buy the advanced system then. you would buy the entry system for $100-150, then 2-5 years later decide you've outgrown it, now you buy an advanced system for $300 and sell the old entry system for around $40. total costs of $360-410, meaning you've spent $60-110 more than if you had planned ahead an just spent the $300 to begin with.

.

[tennis4metoo]

Tony,
Lots of good advice here for you...
Looks to me like you need to decide how big an area you have available for expansion and buy accordingly. How about adding some friends, share the space if available!
Good luck!
Gary

[johncolley]

Check out Joe Fugate's short locator system. It's neat, inexpensive, and can save you a lot of grief! Also look into the new MRC Prodigy Advance DCC system. About 90% of the big guys capabilities at 1/2 the price!

[PennsyHoosier]

John Colley mentions the MRC Prodigy Advance system. Has anyone worked with this? Comments? Complaints?

[Anonymous]

Pennsyhoosier ; try this link. It should give you some usefull info; http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/technews/news_dccsys.htm

[PennsyHoosier]

Great link. Thanks rororo!

[Anonymous]

I've read the responses with great interest and thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. I am running an HO 4x8 with 2 mainline ovals, a branch line oval, reversing section, factory sidings and engine service sidings. All soldered Atlas sectional track (OK, a couple very short sections of flex) and 16 switches. All tracks are inter-connected so any train can go anywhere and turn around. (Except the Big Boy, inner oval is too tight 15" radius)

I am running an MRC Command 2000 (dinosaur) with a Digitrax 3 amp power pack. I am able to consistantly run 10 powered engines (one without a decoder) at a time, with 3 lighted passenger cars, and 3 or 4 (depending on how many are on the layout at the time) lighted cabooses. Currently I am using only 6 of the 10 available addresses including address 01 for the non decoder equipped F7.

The engines are a Rivarossi Challenger, Trix Big Boy, IHC Light Mountain, Kato F7 and 6 Athearn F7's. My outer mainline has a steep 4% grade, so a lot of double and triple heading is required.

I have never had any power issue whatsoever. My Atlas snap-switches are not DCC, are all electrically operated off the same power pack. When I want to program a new loco or reprogram one to run in the opposite direction, I just pull the rest off the track and program on the mainline. (Space is very limited)

Anyhow, I've had this system over 2 years and have not had a problem that I did not cause myself (running into open switches, etc.). If you aren't into sound or complicated systems, check out Ebay. They have brand new Command 2000 systems with power packs and sometimes a decoder or loco for as low a $25. I also got a walkaround throttle for $15 brand new on Ebay.

(I use the MRC power pack that came with my other Command 2000 for my N layout so I can switch to 12 volt instead of 16 so it doesn't overheat the Kato passenger car lighting)

[Pennsy58]

Pennsyhoosier, I have the Prodigy Advance and I love it. I switched up from the regular Prodigy system, only because of the number of locomotives I now have and run exceeds 32. No bad comments to relate on the advance. I like the handheld control better and the digital display is much better. Having the capability to program features with greater accuracy is a plus. It suits my needs and then some. The cost was $190 from my local hobby store.

[krump]

my earlier response referred to the Bachmann E-Z Command DCC system. Just thought I'd add to the note --- the "fine print" indicates that two engines (must have been sleepy, I don't know where I got that idea...) can operate on this system. Though it may be a good inexpensive / starter system, It may be too limited for some needs...

[PennsyHoosier]

Thanks Pennsy58. I'm leaning toward that system.

[Anonymous]

The Bachmann DCC systems have just landed over here, looks ok, but it's only £20 less than the Lenz Compact DCC unit, which has more features and is expandable. Lenz have a DCC starter kit (Compact, 2 or 3 decoders, and mains transformer) for £160 while the Bachmann equivelent would be about £80 - think i'd spend the extra cash when I go DCC. Just my opinion!

[krump]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Railroading_Brit

The Bachmann DCC systems have just landed over here, looks ok, but it's only £20 less than the Lenz Compact DCC unit, which has more features and is expandable. Lenz have a DCC starter kit (Compact, 2 or 3 decoders, and mains transformer) for £160 while the Bachmann equivelent would be about £80 - think i'd spend the extra cash when I go DCC. Just my opinion!

[^][bow][bow] sounds reasonable to me also. Thanks for the additional info Railroading_Brit.