At my age, technology has passed me by - rapidly. I found an engine on e-bay that is described as DCC and pre-programed to the engine number. Does this mean that it will not run on my DC layout.
There is not enough information to know.
But this is certainly DCC capable locomotive. The listing is merely saying that when you want to call up this loco to move on the layout, you punch in the road number so the system can identify the loco you want to move, if you have a DCC system.
You need to know if the loco has a "dual mode" decoder. Dual mode allows it to also run on DC like a nornal DC loco. You can set the loco to DC mode, then the roadnumber programming means nothing and it operates like any other DC loco.
- Douglas
Thanks.
It could also be a dual mode but the DC option is programmed off, meaning you would need a DCC system to turn it back on.
Turning the DC option off is a common practice to prevent run away locos.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
leewal At my age, technology has passed me by - rapidly. I found an engine on e-bay that is described as DCC and pre-programed to the engine number. Does this mean that it will not run on my DC layout.
It will run on your DC system almost certainly, but not because it is currently programmed to act when a DCC system's throttle calls up its cab number. That number is irrelevant to all but the decoder. The drive mechanism will work the same in DC as it does with DCC because the resulting voltage to the motor is rectified DC anyway...but now from the decoder, and not directly from the rails.
Said another way, the decoder is a brain that picks up signals embedded in the power to the rails in DCC. The decoder controls lights, sounds, direction of travel, and other qualities/characteristics. If it gets a packet telling it to turn on the lights, it will do so. But, as you know, in DC the lights glow in response to increases in voltage...only.
Bottom line, if the decoder is modern and 'dual mode', AND IT IS CURRENTLY PROGRAMMED TO SENSE WHICH VOLTAGE TYPE IT IS GETTING OFFERED AT THE RAILS, it will behave like a DC locomotive in DC as far as motion is concerned. It will take an initial few volts dialled up to activate the circuitry in the decoder, and then the locomotive will begin to move. You can use the reverse switch, as explained in the decoder's manual (good luck with that), to change direction, sound the horn, ring the bell if it's a sound decoder in good working order.
Sorry if that all sounds confusing. It 'should' run like a DC controlled loco, but not right away as you dial up the voltage. Don't panic if it doesn't move right away as you begin to rotate the knob to the right or shove the lever.
Hello All,
You won't be able to tell unless you put it on a DCC system that can read back the "settings" (CVs).
When I program a DCC loco for my system I intentionally turn off the DC option. If the previous owner did this then the loco won't run on your DC pike.
If the "deal" is too good to pass up there are a few options...
Contact the seller and see if they can change the settings so it will run on DC.
Or...
Look for a hobby shop or club in your area. See if they would be willing to read the settings and change them so you can run this loco on your DC pike.
A good hobby shop typically has test tracks for both DC & DCC and can perform this for little or no charge.
Clubs typically have a "DCC guru" that cold do this in a matter of minutes. Don't forget to leave a donation.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
If you haven't bought it yet, you could contact the seller to see if they've adjusted the decoder to be DCC-only...although I can't see why they would have done that. FWIW most all decoders made in the last 15-20 years are 'dual mode', if the decoder was installed at the factory it's virtually certain it would be dual-mode.
wjstixcontact the seller to see if they've adjusted the decoder to be DCC-only...although I can't see why they would have done that.
Both NCE and Mark Gurries recommend switching DC off.
https://sites.google.com/site/markgurries/home/dcc-problems/decoder-problems/decoder-loss-of-control/runaway-technical-discussion
It's not much of a big deal to simply remove the decoder, and re-wire the loco for DC. I did one for a friend, and he was able to re-sell the decoder for a decent return.
Wayne
Technically all decoders whether purchased separately or factory-installed in an engine come pre-programed with an ID number - 03. That doesn't affect it regarding DCC. When I buy a new decoder-equipped engine, I normally put it on a test track and do a break-in run with it on DC and it always works fine on DC.
Based on the OP's post, I'd assume whoever is selling the engine just put the engine on a programming track, changed the ID from 03 to the engine number and then put it back in the box without changing anything else. I'd think if they made a major change like changing the CVs so it won't work on DC, they would have said that in the listing's description.
Reading through this thread I find it interesting that no one seems to read the previous responses to the OPs question.
For example:
I posted:
jjdamnitContact the seller and see if they can change the settings so it will run on DC.
Then the very next post in line was:
wjstixIf you haven't bought it yet, you could contact the seller to see if they've adjusted the decoder to be DCC-only...
Not trying to "flame" anyone but I see it often in other posts.
Then there is the dreaded...
wjstixI'd assume...
There are many quotes about "ass-u-me" and Assumption, which I won't go into here.
I use Decoder Pro through my desktop computer and a Digitrax PR3 to a programming track that is not part of the pike.
As I posted before, when I change the address from the O.E.M. two-digit 03 to my two- or four-digit address of choice I ALWAYS turn off the DC option. This is done before the loco hits the rails of the pike.
leewalAt my age, technology has passed me by - rapidly.
Understanding the OP is not a technophile...
doctorwayneIt's not much of a big deal to simply remove the decoder, and re-wire the loco for DC.
For some this is tantamount to putting a rocket into orbit, for others it's a matter of firing up the Hakko, cocking the de-solder tool, and moving a few wires.
LastspikemikeMany decoders are plug in and can be removed quite easily and a dummy plug installed for running in DC mode.
The OP has not said who the manufacturer is.
In the case of many Bachmann DCC locomotives the O.E.M. decoder is a Printed Circuit Board (P.C.B.) type with no after-market drop-in upgrade options.
One of the three Bachmann GP30s I own has this type of P.C.B. decoder. The other two have 8-pin National Model Railroad Association (NMRA).
Because the O.E.M. P.C.B. Bachmann decoder does not support CVs for advance consisting and V-mid & V-max I replaced the Plug-In decoders with Digitrax DH126P decoders and have upgraded the third with a P.C.B. with an 8-pin NMRA board and installed the same Digitrax decoder that supports the CVs needed.
For some of us with the equipment and technical knowledge, these things seem trivial. For others it's overwhelming.
Please take the time to read the OPs question and the responses posted by others.
Try to listen to what they are asking before shooting out what you would do with your knowledge base.
leewalI found an engine on e-bay that is described as DCC and pre-programed to the engine number. Does this mean that it will not run on my DC layout.
The setting of the engine number is a pure DCC function. It says nothing about whether the decoder can handle DC. Many older decoders cannot. Only the seller can tell you if this particular setup can, or will. You will have to ask.