FORUM CLINIC: 12 years using DCC - SIGNIFICANT NEW INFO!

[pcarrell]

Bump!

[n2mopac]

Its been a long time since anyone posted on this thread, but the day warrented it for me. I have just started wiring the first section of my new layout. The layout is in N scale and I started with the main body of my central yard. I am using DCC for the first time. Having followd this and Joe's other clinics closely when they were active, I found the 1156 bulb idea and Joe's other advice quite helpful. I followed Joe's proceedures in wiring the main and the yard on this first section. I test ran my first train last night and everything went like clockwork.

One idea I was skeptical about was soldering feederwires to the backs of both rails. Modeling in N scale, I was not sure I could do this successfully without causing interferance with flanges on the near rail where the feeder would be on the inside of the rail. I tried it on my first feeder and it worked beautifully. The only difference in my proceedure is that I used solid feeder wires and flattened them a bit where they connect to the bottom of the rail.

Joe, if you read this, thanks for all of your wonderful input. It's been a while since we have heard from your in a clinic format around here, but I and I know many others thank you for our input and hope that you will have more imput for us to discuss soon. Thanks.

Ron

[jfugate]

Ron:

If you can get in the fast lane of the learning curve with this info, that's my goal.

Always glad to help out a fellow modeler. [swg]

[Anonymous]

Joe did I miss TOPIC NEXT POST: Cool ways to use DecoderPro for programming on the main

[zgardner18]

Without reading all sixteen pages of this thread, can someone tell me if this is all covered in Joe's videos, because I have the first three and the third one covers DCC.
(GREAT VIDEO TOO)

[jfugate]

Yep, should be covered in the video ... but sometimes repetition and saying it a little differently helps make it sink in better. [swg]

[DavidGSmith]

I was away for a while and this topic started just as I decided to change to DCC. I read part of the postings and your topic lessons. I have one question so far, in the circuit using the light bulb to indicate a short and prevent the unit from tripping, what is the green wire on the plan hooked to? My electronics tech girl friend wil be over this weekend and when I descrbed the schematic to her she said she would have to see it.
Thanks and I will try to read it all.
Dave

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DavidGSmith
I have one question so far, in the circuit using the light bulb to indicate a short and prevent the unit from tripping, what is the green wire on the plan hooked to?

Dave

You talking about this diagram?


(click to enlarge)

The green wire is a local 1156 protected sub-bus that's fed from the blue side of the main bus by passing through an 1156 bulb first. If you do all your train block rail feeders off the green wire on that rail, you get 1156 bulb "short management" protection for that train block.

[DavidGSmith]

Sorry a closer look at the diagram answers my question. Must have been getting bleary eyed that night.
Dave

[DavidGSmith]

Thats the diagram. Like I said I took a closer look at the diagram and saw the answer.
I am going to get the CVP system, I have used a number of them and like their wireless best. If I phone them can I get someone with knowledge to advise me on what I need?
Sometimes talking to someone gets better info than E:mails
Dave

[Anonymous]

Joe,

I just spent the last 2 hours reading thru this topic and found many of the questions I had about dcc answered. But I still have one. Some place I read that the bus should be one long loop. On my layout I have done just this, I start from the command center (digitrax Empire Builder) with a 18 gauge wire to a terminal block and then run a 12 gauge thru the rest of the layout. When I get to the last one I ran a 12 gauge all the way back to the first terminal block with no breaks. Is this a good idea ?? I does work with no shorts. The power booster is on one side of the layout and its about 35-40' to the other end.

Thanks,

Josh

[jfugate]

I just run my power bus from the booster out along the layout and it dead-ends at the far end of the layout.

I did nothing special at the far end ... just wrapped the two wires around a cup hook to keep them from flopping around:

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by DavidGSmith

Thats the diagram. Like I said I took a closer look at the diagram and saw the answer.
I am going to get the CVP system, I have used a number of them and like their wireless best. If I phone them can I get someone with knowledge to advise me on what I need?
Sometimes talking to someone gets better info than E:mails
Dave

Dave:

If you go to the CVP web site (google on cvpusa) you'll find a phone number you can call. Al is usually the guy you end up talking to on the other end and he's as knowledgeable and helpful as it gets.

If you hang out over at the EasyDCC yahoo list, you'll see people mention "I spoke to Al ..." quite a bit, and everyone's ears perk up because it's usually something quite helpful. [swg]

[DavidGSmith]

Thanks, I have been busy this weekend and could not get back til now. Boy it sure dosnt take long to bury a subject. This went back about 6 pages in a few days.
Thanks again, Dave

[DavidGSmith]

I bit the bullet and called CVP, talked to Al as you suggested, he wanted to know who had suggested I talk to him, sorry I gave your name. He just laughed. Was fooling around I guess.
Ordered the WSS-4
1 - T-9000 Thats an upgrade
1 - booster 41/2 amp
1 - PS10a 10 amp
1 - rf 1300
Al said production was behind sales due to a change in lead content in components.
I have to wait about 3-4 weeks for shipment, I waited this long to decide so thats not bad.
If your going to spend the money might as well spend lots
Dave

[jfugate]

Yep, Al's a good guy -- he'll give you the straight skinney. Notice he told you up front there's a delay (which is actually kind of unusual -- usually when I've ordered something from CVP it's on my doorstep within a week).

I'd rather be told about the delay than order and then after waiting several weeks call them and *then* have them say ... "oh yeah, didn't we tell you there's a delay?" [swg]

[DavidGSmith]

I like truth too. Al seemed almost suprised that I would order and wait.
Good things come to those that wait I hope.

[devils]

Just to say thanks Joe for the help with the DecoderPro andTsunami decoders I'm up and running at last, just playing with all the settings and I'll give this post a bump.

[jfugate]

D:

Excellent! Make sure and tell us how it goes ... [swg]

[NZRMac]

Joe I'm a bit concerned someone may take your diagram above literally and plug the booster straight into 110V with out a transformer!!

Just a thought, Ken.

[devils]

Doing well so far with different volumes, whistles and sounds etc, I'm currently playing with the sound synch to get a good speed / sound match and matching the sound to the current draw for the load effect. Saving the settings into the file so you can go back just one step is the real secret as it saves a factory settings reset.
All we need now are steam locos with room for speakers in the smokebox, ( and access into it ), to get the sound in the right place!
Passed on those links and some more off JMRI to some of the other guys trying to fit sound. Once you're in it's fun.

[cmarchan]

Joe,

As a electronics professional for over 20 years and a front line supporter for DCC, I applaud your hard work and dedication to the technology. Forum clinics like these are wonderful resources for fellow hobbyists seaching for answers, or for those intimidated by electronics (a common thing since the hobby's inception). I began my career in electronics as a teenager interested in signaling systems for my HO scale layout. I have come full circle with DCC (so to speak) and I am not looking back.

Once again, thanks and great work!

Carl

[jfugate]

QUOTE: Originally posted by NZRMac

Joe I'm a bit concerned someone may take your diagram above literally and plug the booster straight into 110V with out a transformer!!

Just a thought, Ken.

Ken:

Good point. How about this more accurate diagram:


(click to enlarge)

[NZRMac]

Thanks Joe, I can sleep at night now. I'd hate to see all the magic smoke leak out of expensive loco's!!

Ken.

[oleirish]

Joe
I'am useing an EZ command DCC,no problems yet .But I'am getting reday to re-do every thing and put the HO in storeage,and start an N-scale,now I'am probley going to have three places with a reverse loop,two train turn a rounds and an turn table ,will one module handle all three loops??The EZ command reverse loop module is $57.00 I would hate to have to buy three of them,in analog a simple DPDT switch was all that was needed!!From what I've read you still have to isolate the turn a round anyway?If I install an bus line It looks like an bunch of wireing,whitch I throught I was getting away for by going to DCC?My bench will be about 36"X10'may be even 36"X8'.(cookie cutter)
Thanks
JIM

[NZRMac]

I used a PSREV from Tony's (it doesn't need to be a Bachmann one) for two loops it will only work if only one train at a time enters the loops.

Ken.

[oleirish]

Thanks will check it out!
JIM

[devils]

I'm thinking of changing my Forum name to Tsunami! seem to be going on about it so much[:D]
I've set up my programming track with some bachrus saddles and a switch box so I can switch between the PC/ SPROG programmer running DecoderPro and my cheap BachmannEZ DCC unit on the workbench. This allows me to program and test the differences quickly. I spent an hour yesterday using the PC panes to alter the effects and now have a Chinese QJ 2-10-2 that cuts off as you reduce the throttle and then really picks up as it reaches the lower throttle setting. Sounds superb.
It was worth all the mucking around getting the PC unit going, thanks again everyone who questions and answers on this thread, I get all sorts of info I never thought of asking.
Just deciding between a couple of DCC systems. I'm looking at NCE Procab which seems to be popular for it's user friendly control screen against the digitrax with infra red cordless throttles, any major advantage or disadvantage to consider as I haven't managed to get hands on with the NCE system yet?

[jfugate]

Say, D:

Now you can see why I'm so insistant that you want to use something like decoderPro to program decoders?

Have you tried speed matching yet with decoderPro? DecoderPro allows you to open the decoder windows for two different decoders *at the same time* which makes speed matching a *breeze* ! There's nothing like point-and-click decoder programming with a mouse on your PC!

As to systems, Digitrax and NCE are both great systems, but I personally prefer the NCE system's true wireless that allows acquiring a loco without having to plug in and its very obvious user interface.

[devils]

Haven't got into speed matching yet, that's next on the list though as it's more use on the diesels I'm going to equip next.
I'm in the UK and got to be careful about radio throttles due to legal frequencies as we have had problems with a friends US Aristo system in g scale which interferes with our LGB radio throttles. That's why i'm considering digitrax as it's the only one I've seen infra red throttles for. I prefer the NCE slightly but still want the cordless so it'll probably depend on what kind of deal I can get.
Thanks
Paul