blocks in DCC

[ARTHILL]

I have the need to be able to make some tracks in a little yard go dead so I can park some old DC engines there. Will it work if I put some SPST switches in one of the feeder lines, but not the other or do I need DPST switches to cut off both feeder lines?  I am using Digitrax if that makes a difference.

[howmus]

Yep. I have done that with several tracks at my roundhouse so that I can park DC Locos and other equipment that has electric so that they can be left "dead" so to speak.  Now my programing track, which is also my team track, I used a DPDT toggle so i could switch back and forth from the normal DCC to the Programing feed.

[C&O Fan]

I use Peco Switches and power route some of the sidings to park my

DC locos

And one siding I installed a DTDP center off so i can use it as a programming track

or DCC or Park a loco and turn it off

[jbinkley60]

I have the need to be able to make some tracks in a little yard go dead so I can park some old DC engines there. Will it work if I put some SPST switches in one of the feeder lines, but not the other or do I need DPST switches to cut off both feeder lines?  I am using Digitrax if that makes a difference.

If you want to flip the yard between DC and DCC then you will need a DPDT switch otherwise a DPST will work. 

 

[tomikawaTT]

If all you want to do is kill the track, a simple SPST in the lead to either rail (isolated by gaps) will do it.  Using a DPST to break the circuit to both rails is overkill.

KISS lives!

Chuck (modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)

[MisterBeasley]

Yeah, an SPST is all you need, but you do need to use insulated joiners.  If you're using power-routing turnouts, that will do the job, too, but be careful where you put the joiners, so you don't end up with a dead section.

Even with DCC, I find that I now use the toggles on my roundhouse stalls.  I want to shut off the sound engines!

 

[ShadowNix]

Mr. B,

Couldn't you just use the kill switch for the sound (F9(???) on quantum, methinks?)  Just asking this as a newbie with sound, since I only have one sound engine... I am building a roundhouse this year (I hope) so if this is too cumbersome let me know... then I will have to add some ol' fashioned switches!!!

Brian

[jbinkley60]

Mr. B,

Couldn't you just use the kill switch for the sound (F9(???) on quantum, methinks?)  Just asking this as a newbie with sound, since I only have one sound engine... I am building a roundhouse this year (I hope) so if this is too cumbersome let me know... then I will have to add some ol' fashioned switches!!!

Brian

Correct.  F9 will mute the sound on BLI Bluelines and QSI systems.

 

[ARTHILL]

Thank you all. Back to the train room to work on the control panel. I am putting all my controls in the facia where the action takes place, This little yard by the quarry will use 4 humpyard levers.

[DigitalGriffin]

I have the need to be able to make some tracks in a little yard go dead so I can park some old DC engines there. Will it work if I put some SPST switches in one of the feeder lines, but not the other or do I need DPST switches to cut off both feeder lines?  I am using Digitrax if that makes a difference.

 

LOL.  You are in the same predicament I'm in trying to find a solution for.

This is the best I could come up with. 

Unfortunately this setup means that your DCC system will still be run on blocks, so you will need to use your block selector. :-/

That's really not a pleasent thought with all the DCC Sound Engines and their big start up currents.

The other possibility is have a seperate DPDT DC/DCC switch for every block.  That way you could rig a bypass. 

[wedudler]

It's the same with your room light switch. The switch cuts only one wire! That's enough.

Wolfgang