Excellent replies all around. Thanks!
Old power packs are basically variable volt DC power supplies, and constant voltage AC power supplies.
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They have plenty of uses. Tortoise switch machines and Dimmable Building Lighting being two good ones.
-Kevin
Living the dream.
I did the same thing a few years ago...went from a Tech 4 to a Zephyr when I digitized. I also had an old Troller AutoPulse TwinTranspak that I use for powering turnouts and lights. Only problem was I didn't want it visible so I had to creatively "hide" it under the layout. I use the Tech 4 for my test track as I upgrade my old locos. Always make sure your old locos run well before digitizing them!
Not a protection system, just the way DCC works. To run address 00, what happens is that as you increase the throttle, the length of a 0 bit gets stretched out (that's why you see it referred to as zero stretching) because per the NMRA specifications, a zero bit in the DCC waveform is a longer pulse than a one bit, and the zero is allowed to be a rather long duration, there's an upper limit, and the lower limit is above a threshold that defines a one. ANywhere in that range, it's still a 0. So, dependign ont he direction, the upper half or the lower half zero pulse is stretched out, changing the normally perfectly symmetrical DCC signal into soemthign asymmetrical with either 'more' on the top half or more ont h bottom half. This changes the apparent DC voltage - the symmetrical wave will read 0 volts DC because there is an equal amount of the signal above and below the center point.
Even if on full throttle, the top half is as stretched as far as it can get and still be in spec, the bottom have still has to have at the very least the minimum duration for a 0 bit, it can't be totally cut off. So that reduces the DC voltage seen across the rails. Limiting the top speed of a DC loco. Only worse than just turning down a DC throttle - what's really happenign is the motor is attempting to reverse for a brief instant on a fairly constant basis. That's why most motors buzz or sing when put on DCC track.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I use my jump ports for two MRC Railpower 1300 power packs. They are used as throttles less now that I have a DT400. They can be and still are used on occasion. One power pack supplies my structure and street lights, the other the switch motors.
You can run a DC when you set up for Address [00] or a DCC loco with them . The thing to remember is that the DC loco will not run at full speed. Only about half-speed when run on Address [00]. Some kind of protective device/program, built into the Zephyr. If the loco (DCC) with sound you are running on a jump port is in the Zephyr display, you can blow the whistle/horn and ring the bell in addition to any other sounds that are available with the subject sound decoder.
Here is picture of my setup:
The Zephyr and the two MRC power packs are mounted in a drawer that will slide under the layout.
Remember its your railroad
Allan
Track to the BRVRR Website: http://www.brvrr.com/
ALways good for testing locos before installing decoders - a loco that runs poorly on DC is still going to run poorly on DCC. If you install a decoder without testing on DC, and the loco runs poorly, is it the loco, the decoder, or your install job?
Thanks Stevert, I edited my post, after I read about on the Digitrax site. Looking back, I see that Tom also talked about this.
I'll just use my MRC's to power other things.
Mike.
My You Tube
mbinsewi I had no idea that I could hook up any of my MRC power packs, to my Digitrax, and use it to control a loco. I would never do this, as I don't need another throttle, but I just didn't know this. Jump port hook up? Mike.
I had no idea that I could hook up any of my MRC power packs, to my Digitrax, and use it to control a loco. I would never do this, as I don't need another throttle, but I just didn't know this.
Jump port hook up?
It's only an option on the Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra. No other Digitrax systems have that ability.
So if you have a Zephyr, check your manual. Otherwise, nothing to see here.
EDIT: OK, Never mind, I just read about on the Digitrax web site. Seems like this only works with the Zephyr, DCS50.
OK, I get it.
The jump port hook up will allow you to run an engine, but you can only control direction and speed. You won't be able to access CVs so you can't blow the horn or ring the bell etc. on a sound equipped engine. When I first went to DCC with a Zephyr, I found the jump throttle usefull - but only as a short-term thing. I pretty quickly bought a plug-in throttle so I could fully control two engines simultaneously. (You can just plug the walkaround throttle directly into the Zephyr, and then add receptacles around the layout later.)
I have used that power pack, hooked up to my Digitrax,as a third trottle.
Not sexy but will work. In the very near future that pack will power my building lites
tstage mcbryan Is it true that I can connect this transformer to my DCC so someone can control a loco? That depends. If you have a Digitrax Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra - yes. Just hook the power pack up via either jump port. If you have an NCE system - no. NCE only operates decoder-equipped locomotives. Tom
mcbryan Is it true that I can connect this transformer to my DCC so someone can control a loco?
Is it true that I can connect this transformer to my DCC so someone can control a loco?
That depends. If you have a Digitrax Zephyr or Zephyr Xtra - yes. Just hook the power pack up via either jump port. If you have an NCE system - no. NCE only operates decoder-equipped locomotives.
Tom
NCE also operates switches and accessories.
They are electrically separate so I wouldn't think there would be a problem.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
I have a Digitrax Zephyr Xtra. I would love for my daughter to be able to control her own train. I’ll look into the jump ports.
If if I do this, is it still safe to use the ac outputs of the slaved transformer to power remote switches?
I use my MRC 1400 to power signals and future lighting projects.
Since I originally wired my layout for both DC and DCC, by gapping both rails, I still use my MRC 2400 for power when I run DC.
NEVER run both at the same time!
Yes it's true. DC and DCC do not play well together. Powering turnouts and or layout lighting are options.
I could use it to power my remote switches, which will not be DCC. Any other alternative uses?