Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
How easy would it be to do DCC to my layout?
Trackplan
Best regards,
Mike
Trackplan
Best regards,
Mike
Adding DCC to my layout?
- Thread starter Mike_Arnold
- Start date
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No. The basic starter packages would be plenty.
Zephyr starts at $200.
And what do you mean, "with either system you will have to add a radio receiver"?
Like I said I'm new to DCC.
I'd like a remote for the outside of the layout. If I didn't want to crawl under it and inside it.
Mike
Okay I'll look into that at my LHS soon.
And that's exactly what I wanted to hear. So I can mount the jacks on the benchwork on the inside and the outside. Leaving the throttle (Stationary) on the inside and the moveable throttle on the outside plugged into the jack, correct?
Mike
Yes, but I think you will find you will move your throttle around with you and leave the base alone.
You don't really need the high end throttle (although they are nice.) They make a UT4 that you can buy that can do anything you need them too. You can program the decoders from the base station.
If you add a computer interface you can get free software that will make programing your decoders very easy. If you have that, you might not need the high end throttle at all. This software works with the NCE but not the MRC I believe.
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lmackattack
old school
simple... add 2 wires to the rails and remove (if any) plastic track insolator joints.
If you want to be 100% sure you have good voltage to the whole layout just run another set of wires to help with power getting to all the corners.
If you want to be 100% sure you have good voltage to the whole layout just run another set of wires to help with power getting to all the corners.
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
Yep, just two wires. DCC is very easy.
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
Okay, Chip and Trent.
I have 5 locomotives I'd like to throw on DCC. 4 Athearns, and 1 Walthers.What decoders do I need to buy and what DCC system would you suggest?
Best regards,
Mike
I have 5 locomotives I'd like to throw on DCC. 4 Athearns, and 1 Walthers.What decoders do I need to buy and what DCC system would you suggest?
Best regards,
Mike
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
Any of the Starter sets, Digitrax Zephyr, NCD, or MRC would be good. All three are expandable. MRC is proprietary and does not work with the JIMI software when you interface with a computer, but the system is good.
As for decoders, it really depends on the individual engines. I suggest calling Tony's Train Exchange and getting their recommendations. I've not worked with any Athearn units, as I model old steam. I do know if they don't run well in DC, they are not going to run any better in DCC.
As for decoders, it really depends on the individual engines. I suggest calling Tony's Train Exchange and getting their recommendations. I've not worked with any Athearn units, as I model old steam. I do know if they don't run well in DC, they are not going to run any better in DCC.
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
No. The basic starter packages would be plenty.
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
I'm looking at this. Does NCD or MRC make a better Remote system?
http://www.digitrax.com/prd_sebx_set.php
I don't want to have a throttle system I would rather use a remote.
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. What is a booster?
http://www.digitrax.com/prd_sebx_set.php
I don't want to have a throttle system I would rather use a remote.
Best regards,
Mike
P.S. What is a booster?
ha! we posted at the same time 
No, your layout is small enought, no need for boosters. The only thing i would check is the Amp drain of your locos. Do you run them all at the same time ? are some equipped with sound (or you intend to) ? Because basic starter set have a low amp output. The throttle you want is important too, I went myselft with a digitrax empire builder because i wanted a handheld throttle, not like the zephyr and i havent liked the nce powercab kit. All these factors come into balance when choosing the set you want to go with.
A booster :
In the world of DCC, block dosent exist anymore (not totaly true!), the dcc is a data packet modulated in the ac wave so make a signal that can be read by the locomotive decoder, (really simplified example : loco 1234, go forward, speed 45%, lights ON). Over distance the signal tend to weakens. Here come in the booster!; the booster take the signal from the command station (where all throttle are plugged in ), insert it in an AC wave and spread it in the rails
A section controlled by a booster is doubble gapped and thus isolated from any other booster. Some booster are "auto reversing"' this mean they automatically change the rail polarity for a reverse loop
No, your layout is small enought, no need for boosters. The only thing i would check is the Amp drain of your locos. Do you run them all at the same time ? are some equipped with sound (or you intend to) ? Because basic starter set have a low amp output. The throttle you want is important too, I went myselft with a digitrax empire builder because i wanted a handheld throttle, not like the zephyr and i havent liked the nce powercab kit. All these factors come into balance when choosing the set you want to go with.
A booster :
In the world of DCC, block dosent exist anymore (not totaly true!), the dcc is a data packet modulated in the ac wave so make a signal that can be read by the locomotive decoder, (really simplified example : loco 1234, go forward, speed 45%, lights ON). Over distance the signal tend to weakens. Here come in the booster!; the booster take the signal from the command station (where all throttle are plugged in ), insert it in an AC wave and spread it in the rails
A section controlled by a booster is doubble gapped and thus isolated from any other booster. Some booster are "auto reversing"' this mean they automatically change the rail polarity for a reverse loop
Last edited by a moderator:
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
I'm not planning to put sound in any of my locomotives YET. I'll do that later down the road when I do a new layout. 
So right now I'm just wanting DCC for consisting and dual running.
I'd be running at least 3 (Maybe 4) at the same time.
So either the Digitrax Super Empire Builder or the MRC Prodigy Express
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=1990
NCE said it would only handle 3 to 4 locomotives so I am throwing that out of the picture.
Best regards,
Mike
So right now I'm just wanting DCC for consisting and dual running.I'd be running at least 3 (Maybe 4) at the same time.
So either the Digitrax Super Empire Builder or the MRC Prodigy Express
http://www.modelrectifier.com/search/product-view.asp?ID=1990
NCE said it would only handle 3 to 4 locomotives so I am throwing that out of the picture.
Best regards,
Mike
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
All three can be set up with radio control.
BTW: The Super Chief is a high end system. The Zephyr starts at $150 with either system you will have to add a radio receiver. You can upgrade the DT402 that comes with the Super Chief. But you will need to purchase the DT402R for the Zephyr.
But why would you want radio for such a small layout. All the systems offer cheap jacks you can put anywhere on the layout? (like the one shown in the picture).
A booster adds power to a layout. A Zephyr has 2.5 map and will easily run 5 trains at once. But if you add a 5 amp booster, you could run 20 trains at once. A bit of overkill for your layout.
BTW: The Super Chief is a high end system. The Zephyr starts at $150 with either system you will have to add a radio receiver. You can upgrade the DT402 that comes with the Super Chief. But you will need to purchase the DT402R for the Zephyr.
But why would you want radio for such a small layout. All the systems offer cheap jacks you can put anywhere on the layout? (like the one shown in the picture).
A booster adds power to a layout. A Zephyr has 2.5 map and will easily run 5 trains at once. But if you add a 5 amp booster, you could run 20 trains at once. A bit of overkill for your layout.
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
Zephyr starts at $200.
And what do you mean, "with either system you will have to add a radio receiver"?
Like I said I'm new to DCC.
I'd like a remote for the outside of the layout. If I didn't want to crawl under it and inside it.
Mike
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
I would not go with the empire builder. It is older technology and does not have the base station capabilities of the Zephyr or Super Chief. Throttles can be added to the Zephyr. I've seen 10 trains, half with sound, run on a Zephyr on a 20 x 30 layout.
As I said, all systems are upgradable. The Prodigy Express is the least versatile of the bunch but it can be upgraded.
And the NCE starter can more than handle your load--even if they all have sound.
As CN noted, though some of your engines might be a problem of any system, even the "high-powered" ones. Some of the older Athearns have a stall point at around 3 amps. This will cause any of the systems to shut down if they say wedge in a turnout. It should hurt the system but it will probably fry a the decoder.
If it comes to that though, it is cheaper to replace the engine than to buy a high end DCC system to make the engines work. Those engines probably never ran that well in the first place.
As I said, all systems are upgradable. The Prodigy Express is the least versatile of the bunch but it can be upgraded.
And the NCE starter can more than handle your load--even if they all have sound.
As CN noted, though some of your engines might be a problem of any system, even the "high-powered" ones. Some of the older Athearns have a stall point at around 3 amps. This will cause any of the systems to shut down if they say wedge in a turnout. It should hurt the system but it will probably fry a the decoder.
If it comes to that though, it is cheaper to replace the engine than to buy a high end DCC system to make the engines work. Those engines probably never ran that well in the first place.
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
Well when I get home, if you all want I can tell you what I have (Loco wise).
I'd really rather not git rid of any of my locomotives.
So, Chip. You're telling me I can buy the Zephyr for $200, and then add a remote to it? How would I do that?
Mike
I'd really rather not git rid of any of my locomotives.
So, Chip. You're telling me I can buy the Zephyr for $200, and then add a remote to it? How would I do that?
Mike
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
List price for the Zephyr is $200. The are readily available for $150.
You said you were looking for a remote system. Since the system you showed can be placed anywhere--say even in the next room, and the jacks can be placed anywhere on your layout, and the tether stretches to 6 feet, the only more freedom you can have is radio control.
As I said, I don't think you needed radio control. You can place as many throttle jacks as you like and move the throttles while you are running with the Digitrax. I know you can't do that with the NCE Power CAB, but it will reach anywhere in your space. I've used the Prodigy Advanced but never the Express, so I don't know if you can move the throttle while running.
But one port outside your layout and one inside your layout will allow you move about (and allow 4 people to run trains providing they each have a throttle.)
You said you were looking for a remote system. Since the system you showed can be placed anywhere--say even in the next room, and the jacks can be placed anywhere on your layout, and the tether stretches to 6 feet, the only more freedom you can have is radio control.
As I said, I don't think you needed radio control. You can place as many throttle jacks as you like and move the throttles while you are running with the Digitrax. I know you can't do that with the NCE Power CAB, but it will reach anywhere in your space. I've used the Prodigy Advanced but never the Express, so I don't know if you can move the throttle while running.
But one port outside your layout and one inside your layout will allow you move about (and allow 4 people to run trains providing they each have a throttle.)
Mike_Arnold
Newbie Modeler
Okay I'll look into that at my LHS soon.
And that's exactly what I wanted to hear. So I can mount the jacks on the benchwork on the inside and the outside. Leaving the throttle (Stationary) on the inside and the moveable throttle on the outside plugged into the jack, correct?
Mike
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
The Digitrax System uses "loconet" a peer-to-peer system that is highly versatile and easy to upgrade.
Julien, I'm not familiar with the Empire Builder Extra. They have come with a high end throttle for a few years. But I know as of a couple years ago, when people wanted to upgrade the Empire Builder, they would add a Zephyr which would be come the control module and the Empire Builder then became the power booster for the system. If the Empire Builder now has increased capabilities, I am ignorant of those capabilities.
Julien, I'm not familiar with the Empire Builder Extra. They have come with a high end throttle for a few years. But I know as of a couple years ago, when people wanted to upgrade the Empire Builder, they would add a Zephyr which would be come the control module and the Empire Builder then became the power booster for the system. If the Empire Builder now has increased capabilities, I am ignorant of those capabilities.
SpaceMouse
Fun Lover
Your best deals will be online.
Yes, but I think you will find you will move your throttle around with you and leave the base alone.
You don't really need the high end throttle (although they are nice.) They make a UT4 that you can buy that can do anything you need them too. You can program the decoders from the base station.
If you add a computer interface you can get free software that will make programing your decoders very easy. If you have that, you might not need the high end throttle at all. This software works with the NCE but not the MRC I believe.
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