DC to DCC conversion

[maczimb]

I'm looking for some help with my cost forecasting.
I haven't started yet so I will have to make some assumptions.
Assume I have a DC setup of about 200 feet with eight turnouts. I don't have any blocks because I only run one train at a time, although I have several engines, DC only, with no sound and not DCC ready.
I am now ready to convert to DCC.
What do I need in the way of equipment and what are the costs involved??
I know that I will need a different power source.
My engines will all have to be converted.
My stable consists of:
A Bachmann Spectrum EMD SD45 Diesel.
A Model Power USRA Pacific 4-6-2
A Proto 1000 Erie-Built Diesel
An Athernn SW1500 Switcher.
Once I have converted to DCC can I still run DC and how do I accomplish this??

I would appreciated input regarding your equipment preferences and best guess at costs involved, with consideration givin to future expansion.

Thanks in Advance.
Mac

 

[lmackattack]

YOU NEED A DCC SYSTEM AND A DECODER FOR EACH LOCO

you can get a bachman for as cheep as $60 on ebay and decoders for as cheap as $15.
thes are not the dcc sytem or decoders with sound and misc functions but its a start. If you plan to get in volved more in the hobby look for a middle of the road DCC system such as MRC express or Digitrax systems that allow you to expand. I think The MRC system you can find for as low as $150.

the only hard part I see is that those locos will all need to have the decoders "hard wired" in. Some of the newer engines have plugs that the decoder can plug in to

 

[SpaceMouse]

I would skip over the Bachmann starter set and go with NCE, MRC or Digitrax as a starter. All three are almost infinitely expandable.

If you want sound in those engines you will pay $60-120 per loco. One thing that should be mentioned is that a decoder will not make those engines run better. IF they don't run well now, they probably aren't worth converting. A decent running Bachmann Diesel can be had fro around $30-$35 and already be DCC. Of course the high end products are more.

While you can run these engines on DC after you convert, you probably won't want to. Yeah, it's that much better.

Wiring will be easier. And you will eventually run two trains at once. If not at the same time, you might find yourself with a road engine dropping off a few cars to a switcher who sets out cars for your road engine. With DCC you can flip a button to change between the engines to make the moves.

It's really a big a difference as listening to a cassette tape or having the flexibility of .mp3

 

[chadmichaels]

Ok here's a question...my dad just recenlty switched from dc to dcc with the Bachman EZ comand System..(yeah I know, but I couldnt talk him into something better) Any ways..we got it all switched over..now when we run one of his DC loco's in the analog mode it will run fine for a bit, then all of a sudden it stops and all the lights on the Bachman controller start strobing..what is going on?..do we have a short somewhere?

 

[SpaceMouse]

Ok here's a question...my dad just recenlty switched from dc to dcc with the Bachman EZ comand System..(yeah I know, but I couldnt talk him into something better) Any ways..we got it all switched over..now when we run one of his DC loco's in the analog mode it will run fine for a bit, then all of a sudden it stops and all the lights on the Bachman controller start strobing..what is going on?..do we have a short somewhere?

No, and running DC engines is not really a good thing on an extended basis. If I understand the process, DCC is analogous to sending a 14v AC current constantly through the track. The signal is to the decoder is sent through a carrier wave. When a DC engine is on the track the DC current is increased allowing the engine to move. When the DC engine is at rest, it is still getting the DCC current and will buzz (read try to go back and forth) at the rate of that 14v signal. It is not good in any circumstance to leave a DC engine on the track if it is not running because all it is getting is the AC.

 

[lmackattack]

my opinion is to run one or the other. I only run DCC altho some of my engine can run on both. The hastel is just not worth the reward of DC operation.

 

[UP2CSX]

Mac, figure $150-200 for a DCC command station and $20-30 each for engine motor decoders. As has already been stated, if the engines don't run well now, they are not worth converting to DCC.

Chad, I have an E-Z Command and you can run one DCC engine on F10 but, since the E-Z Command has only one amp output, you can easily be near that limit with on older, high current draw DC engine. Chip has it kind of right about how DC engines work on DCC. The power is still 14 to 18 volts AC but a bridge rectifier on the DCC decoder converts AC to DC current. With a straight DC locomotive, the command stations senses the lack of a decoder con converts the track AC power to to a highly modifiied waveform that looks almost like DC to a DC motor. Newer open frame and can motors will usually tolerate this for a few hours of running although they may get pretty hot. Ironless core motors will heat up within minutes and trip the circuit breaker of your command station. Any locomotive that does what your dad's locomotive did shouldn't be run on a DCC layout as you risk burning out the motor and destroying the command station. I have run some of my older Athearn engines that have not yet been converted and most ran fine although they do heat up. The main thing is don't leave one sitting around on a track. The hum will drive you nuts and, at some point, you will destroy the motor.