Major breakthrough with DCC

[rrinker]

When we first started building this layout, my father-in-law was pretty adament about hooking up a switch to toggle between DCC and DC power, since he has a large collection and none of it has DCC. But now he has 3 QSI sound locomotives, and he runs mine around with DCC as well. So the big breakthrough came tonight - he's ordering his first decoders (well, I'm ordering them, since I know what he needs, and I'm going to do the installing) . Slowly but surely, the worthwhile members of his fleet will be converted. Looks like I better get an extra throttle, soon.
For the record, the first 'victims' will be an Atlas/Kato RSD-4, that one is getting a Digitrax DH163K0, a Proto2000 SW9, that is getting an NCE SW9-SR and a new golden white LED headlight, and a Proto2000 SD7 which is getting a TCS T-1.

--Randy

[davekelly]

Randy,

Congrats on winning over the inlaw!! (I guess it's pretty obvious why he let his daughter marry you! lol).

Cool that you share your hobby with family members!!

[SpaceMouse]

Myy problem is just the opposite. They all want sound.

[northern_blues]

Randy,

How about taking some pictures of the installation of the decoders for us newb's???

-Dave

[rrinker]

I plan on it. If I'd get off my lazy butt and post the ones I have for my Stewrt F-7 and DS4-4-1000 it would be nice, too.

--Randy

[SpaceMouse]

Hey Randy,

How about posting a photo essay about how to get sound in a Hogwart's Express. I happen to know a locmotive that's available. I'll bet the owner would even spring for the decoder and speaker.

[AntonioFP45]

Wonderful news!

I remember not too long ago talking to an older gentleman who continuously slammed DCC. "Bah! More gimmicks! Don't need it! Don't want it!"[|(][|(][tdn]

Funny, it's been one year and he's now excited about it! [:D][:D][tup]Let's see........It had something to do with being able to run locomotives ANYWHERE YOU WANT ANYTIME YOU WANT WITHOUT FLIPPING SLIDE SWITCHES! [;)][;)][swg][swg]

It's understandable that many of the guys that have been use DC Cab Control for years are comfortable with it, and we shouldn't criticize them either. DCC does require an initial investment, but it's no longer in the $1000 range as you can get a Zephyr system for $160 and decoders are available now for under $20. Plus, there is learning and familiarzation with the technology involved, but it's now user friendly.[;)]

(Sound on the other hand, will still hammer you, but in a few years it will likely be much more affordable by the average "working class" modeler.)

Congratulations!

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Hey Randy,

How about posting a photo essay about how to get sound in a Hogwart's Express. I happen to know a locmotive that's available. I'll bet the owner would even spring for the decoder and speaker.

Hmmm, tempting.... I'll have to take a look at mine and see just what might be involved with that. Isuspect there's enough room in the tender for a speaker and sound decoder, but I dunno how hard it's going to be to isolate the motor.

--Randy

[davekelly]

Antonio,

I didn't know we had a conversation about DCC a year ago. lol. I'm only 40, but there are times I think I'm just an old fart.

[howmus]

I'm just another "Old Fart" converting to DCC. I wish it existed 25 years ago when I started my present layout. I am tearing out most of the old wiring and putting in the wiring for DCC at present (I decided to do it right from the beginning). I was thinking of the massive amount of work wiring up those thousands of little wires to DPDT switches then to the track, run feeders back to distribution system, label each wire so I can find it later (yeh, right!), and making sure all was hooked up properly (soldering under the table with little light (making sure not too much hot solder got in my eye, etc.). What a pleasure wiring for DCC is. Two wires running around the layout with some sub systems.......... I should be done in a week or two at the most. Can't wait to install the decoders and play trains! [:D]

I think the fear of it being too technical puts off many of us old guys from going with DCC. From what I read in the manuals, I think I have remotes for some of my Pro Sound gear that are harder to use. Of course I'm one of those people that uses techie terms in my everyday conversations to confuse other old people. "Yeah, its a dual 1.8 Ghz with a dual 900 Mhz front side buss and 160 Gig Hd". LOL

[SpaceMouse]

QUOTE: Originally posted by rrinker

QUOTE: Originally posted by SpaceMouse

Hey Randy,

How about posting a photo essay about how to get sound in a Hogwart's Express. I happen to know a locmotive that's available. I'll bet the owner would even spring for the decoder and speaker.

Hmmm, tempting.... I'll have to take a look at mine and see just what might be involved with that. Isuspect there's enough room in the tender for a speaker and sound decoder, but I dunno how hard it's going to be to isolate the motor.

--Randy

There's the rub. As I understand it, isolateing the motor is not the tough part, you have to drop the drive wheels and all the exterior mechanisms attatched. That is supposed to be the difficult part. I got an email from a guy that has done it.

I'd put a DSD100LC ($77) in the tender and run 4 wires between the tender and the loco - leave the light on all the time. I think a SP-16x35-08 will fit nicely below the coal load. About $85.

[rrinker]

I wonder how loud it is (the motor buzz, that is), as the current SOundtraxx sound/motor decoders are not 'silent running' types. Of course you could always use two decoders, a TCS M1 for the motor drive and one of the Soundtraxx sound-only decoders for sound. Or wait for the Tsunami decoders to be available.

--Randy

[SpaceMouse]

Randy,

I came across this exploded diagram of the Hogwart's. I think it shows a lot about what would be involved.

http://www.bachmann.co.uk/dloads/pdfs/31-776.pdf

Just think, do a photo essay and you could be known as the guy who conquered Hogwart's (and if it was misunderstood, hated by every kid in the world.)

[BRVRR]

Spacemouse, Randy,
I think I would go with two separate decoders, one for motor and lights and another for sound. I have 'looked under the hood' so to speak and the motor isolation and getting the timing right on the drivers is going to be the hard part. I have several other small steamers to install decoders in before I get to my Hogwart's Express.
I would be interested in a how-to and photos, if you guys tackle this project.
I wish you luck!

[rrinker]

Looks like it could be done, wrap the motor with Kapton tape (electrical tape is too thick), solder some leads to the frame halves and to the motor contacts, and run it all back through to the tender. As you said before, leave the headlight on all the time, getting wires up there is going to be nearly impossible.
I'm willing to give it a go. If I mess something up, you can have my Hogwarts.

Oh, btw, in case you didnt realize, once a Soundtrax decoder goes in it, you can NOT run it on DC power anymore. The new Tsunami decoders will work like the QSI ones, DC or DCC, but, well, they aren't available yet.

--Randy

[BRAKIE]

Randy,That's great!.[:D]
Now for me I have 6 DCC/Sound equipped locomotives..No other locomotive I own will receive DCC or sound unless they come from the factory with a DCC decoder installed like my Atlas GP7s,GP38s ect..I run my Atlas units on DC at the club.