Hello sports fans,
Well, finally took the plunge head first into a DCC system today. After an extensive study program from some books about DCC, I went to Tony's Train Exchange website this afternoon and purchased the Digitrax Super Chief 8A R DCC system, a Magna Force MF615 power supply, a UT4R throttle, two extra throttle recievers and two 30 ft. sections of 8 pin phone wire, an NCE PS4 circuit breaker for 4 power districts, an AR1 auto reverse circuit for my wye, and 21 NCE decoders for my locomotives ranging from BB Athearns to Atlas, and Proto 2000's...Whew!...$1150.00, my credit card was smok'in like an old coal burn'in shay when I got done and it ain't over yet!
I still need about 5 or 6 more decoders, but like the dummy that I am, I threw the old locomotive boxes away and don't know whither the Athearn locomotives were Genesis or RTR unless I tear into them and I do hope the majority of them are RTR ...
I think i'm going to be real busy the next few months. I have a 28 block DC layout to totally rewire....chuck
You shouldn't have to rewire, just refeed the blocks from the PS4. A number of us have similar systems, so don't hesitate to ask questions. I don't know of the NCE decoders have dropping resistors or current limiting for the headlights. I know that Digitrax decoders do. It cuts down on installation time.
Engineer Jeff NS Nut Visit my layout at: http://www.thebinks.com/trains/
Wow, that is a hefty wad of cash! Smart move on the Never-never Card. You know, never have to pay for it...?
I hope you get many useful hours out of that system. I went with the old Klunk..the SEB last year, and must say that it is serving me very well. I think I might upgrade to radio in the next couple of years, but not sooner.
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
WOW! After dropping that much 'kaching' at Tony's, he may be eyeballing you to get rid of a daughter on. Seriously, keep us posted on how it works. This is what prompts us old DC guys into taking the plunge, too. In hindsight, wouldn't the Nestea plunge have been easier on the plastic?
Marlon
See pictures of the Clinton-Golden Valley RR
Medina1128 wrote: WOW! After dropping that much 'kaching' at Tony's, he may be eyeballing you to get rid of a daughter on. Seriously, keep us posted on how it works. This is what prompts us old DC guys into taking the plunge, too. In hindsight, wouldn't the Nestea plunge have been easier on the plastic?
I dunno about that Nestea plunge and all, but in the back of my head, I've always wanted to go to DCC but could never afford it. Everytime i tried to save up some cash for a system, well...that new locomotive or piece of rolling stock always took center stage.
I just had a bunch of stock mature and was forced to use it or loose it. (company policy) so I cashed it in and lo and behold; it was enough to get a system plus a little left over for this Christmas.
My wife thought I was nuts for putting in that much cash for the system but what does she know about it? I can't even get her to take control of a throttle and see just how much fun MRRing is.
The only problem i'm having with it now is all the "what if's" I jump out of bed from a dead sleep dreaming about what could happen during certain wiring configurations. It's 4 o' clock in the morning right now and why am I up so early?...Yep! another dream about how my new buss wire will run around the layout. Geez!..I'll be glad when I get this thing in and it won't get here until Friday....chuck
tstage wrote:Wow, Chuck! I think you automatically get membership into Tony's "Gold" club for that order. Keep us up-to-date when your package comes in...Tom
Tony's never mentioned the Gold Club to me. I'll have to call him to find out where my membership card is
Wow! I know how you feel though. Our annual bonus is due in a couple weeks and I've already spoke with the CFO and 1/2 to her (to take care of Xmas) and 1/2 to the RR. I'm not complaining. I've already notified my LHS to stock up cause "Christmas is coming".
Regards,
Tom
cwclark wrote: Medina1128 wrote: WOW! After dropping that much 'kaching' at Tony's, he may be eyeballing you to get rid of a daughter on. Seriously, keep us posted on how it works. This is what prompts us old DC guys into taking the plunge, too. In hindsight, wouldn't the Nestea plunge have been easier on the plastic? I dunno about that Nestea plunge and all, but in the back of my head, I've always wanted to go to DCC but could never afford it. Everytime i tried to save up some cash for a system, well...that new locomotive or piece of rolling stock always took center stage. I just had a bunch of stock mature and was forced to use it or loose it. (company policy) so I cashed it in and lo and behold; it was enough to get a system plus a little left over for this Christmas. My wife thought I was nuts for putting in that much cash for the system but what does she know about it? I can't even get her to take control of a throttle and see just how much fun MRRing is. The only problem i'm having with it now is all the "what if's" I jump out of bed from a dead sleep dreaming about what could happen during certain wiring configurations. It's 4 o' clock in the morning right now and why am I up so early?...Yep! another dream about how my new buss wire will run around the layout. Geez!..I'll be glad when I get this thing in and it won't get here until Friday....chuck
That's a huge chunk of change!
I would consider leaving the blocks for signaling purposes and for setting up power districts.
Seriously, I need to show my wife this thread so the next time I buy a new locomotive I can point here and say "Look, at least I'm not that guy!!!"
Modeling the Rio Grande Southern First District circa 1938-1946 in HOn3.
Man, I only spent $168.00 the other day and I got the shakes. Its good that you were able to get everything you needed at one time. It stinks when you working on a project only to find out you're missing or forgot to get that one critical piece you need to finish. Good Luck with the project.
Jim
Chuck, you're gonna soooo love DCC... it's so simple. As was mentioned by someone, can't you leave the present wiring for other uses and just run your 4 new buss wires?
My man, you're gonna be on Tony's Christmas card list forever!
JaRRell
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
I used to have nightmares of filling the house with smoke from burnt wire
but once you get started all that goes away
I Guess I was just What Ifing myself
You're really gonna like DCC
TerryinTexas
See my Web Site Here
http://conewriversubdivision.yolasite.com/
Let me make one additional recomendation. If you have access to a personal computer, purchase a USB LocoBuffer II and download Decoder Pro (free) from the JMRI web site. It will make programing all of those decoders easy and with Decoder Pro connected to your Digitrax System you can use the PC as extra throttles.
JIM
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
cwclark wrote: I think i'm going to be real busy the next few months. I have a 28 block DC layout to totally rewire.
Medina1128 wrote:WOW! After dropping that much 'kaching' at Tony's, he may be eyeballing you to get rid of a daughter on.
jeep35 wrote:Man, I only spent $168.00 the other day and I got the shakes.
Dave Vollmer wrote:That's a huge chunk of change!
mikesmowers wrote: WOW $1100+....
jamnest wrote: Let me make one additional recomendation. If you have access to a personal computer, purchase a USB LocoBuffer II and download Decoder Pro (free) from the JMRI web site. It will make programing all of those decoders easy and with Decoder Pro connected to your Digitrax System you can use the PC as extra throttles. JIM
you got it!..right now i'm eyeballing some used laptops on e-bay so the decoderpro will be a reality...does decoderpro use UBS ports now instead of serial ports? I'd really like to have a laptop that's not too out of date.....chuck
It's the Locobuffer II that needs the USB port. The older ones did work on serial ports.
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Ok. I had never seen anyone selling a Locobuffer II that wasn't USB only. The serial model must be rare.
Chuck,
Congrats! Although you choose a system different than mine, I"m sure you'll love it. The SC is quite the system!! If you're worrying about creditcard/spouse shock, you may want to hold off buying that first sound decoder. That is the real Nestea plunge!
Keep us informed of your progress. If you're anything like me you'll wonder why you waited so long!
Dave
NZRMac wrote:The AR1 might keep you up nights, I had a hang of a time trying to set mine up, every loco that draws more or less current either doesn't trip it or keeps tripping it!! I tossed it and got a Tony's reverser. Ken.
I'm going to wire it up in only a blocked section of the wye. Two wires from the track will go to the reverser unit and then to a blocked section of the wye were the bottom rail becomes the top rail. I'll also install an 1156 bulb in series for shorts. If it does short, then it will only affect the blocked wye section. I do hope there will be no problem with it, but since this is my first experience with DCC i'm sure i'll have a lot to learn....chuck
I spent close to that to get my DCC. Think about radio control, I got it when I bought and have enjoyed never having to find an outlet to plug into when running trains.Operating sessions on other guys layouts con vinced me to go radio right away.
Have fun. Its a lot of work setting everything up but worth it.
Modeling the fictional B&M Dowe, NH branch in the early 50's.
Cannoli wrote:Without trying to take this topic off track to much, I was looking at the description online for the Loco Buffer USB and noticed that it says it has a LocoNet Terminator for interfacing with other systems. Does this mean that I could use it with a non Digitrax based system, such as my clubs NCE or my own MRC Prodigy? I'd love to be able to add a PC interface for programming, etc.