Okay, I'm a DC modeler who hasn't converted to DCC, but I have a number of DCC steamers that I run, mainly because of the sound. My question is about the decoders.
The other day at the Roseville train show, I picked up a beautiful Key model of a NP Z-5 2-8-8-4, which the owner said had been retrofitted for DCC and sound. I got the locomotive home, fired it up and got the sound (which is fantastic) but no movement. Now before I tear into it and re-convert it to DC and no sound, I've got a question. Are all DCC decoders dual-mode--in that they recognize either DC or DCC--or do some of them only work for DCC? This is a gorgeous locomotive, and I'd like to have it recognize DC like my other dual-mode steamers.
Any help will be much appreciated.
Tom
Tom View my layout photos! http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm310/TWhite-014/Rio%20Grande%20Yuba%20River%20Sub One can NEVER have too many Articulateds!
There is a CV that can be changed to not allow the decoder to run on DCC. It is a value that gets placed in CV29. I would suggest that you contact the vendor to see if he set that CV to not alllow DC operation. Or alternately, find a local DCC user and ask him if he can check the loco for you.
Also, how far up did you advance your DC controller? Sound decoders run on DC require a lot more voltage before the loco starts moving, even though the sound may start before you reach that voltage level.
Like was said, find out what brand the decoder is. Today most decoders are dual mode. Older decoders did not run on DC.
I have some older SoundTraxx that did not run on DC.
The microprocessor on the decoder requires at least five volts DC on the decoder board to just wake up. About two volts more for the loco to begin moving if the decoder is ready to run on DC. Nature of the beast.
Sounds like you should Google all your questions about decoders and DCC. The internet is loaded with reliable sites about DCC for model trains.
I must have four hundred DCC sites in my Bookmarks folder.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
Most anything 'modern' (last 10 years or so) is dual mode. As mentioned, there is a setting many of us who are using DCC set that makes the decoder only operate on DCC. It helps prevent locos from just taking off when you first turn on the track power and the DCC signal isn't fully formed. With an expensive brass loco - you can bet I'd make that change. It's an easy fix, if you know someone nearby who does have DCC, or a LHS that can help.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.