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I have several new engines on my new layout, as of right now now I am using the cheap 10.00 run of the mill controller. You know the one that that comes with every cheap train set. I am only using it as I am building my layout and I use it to to make sure that I have power to the rails and that my trains do not have any track problems. What I notice is that my trains, when they start to move, it takes alot of throttle and they run a little jerky. I assume that when I get a good higher end controller (a dc or dcc system) the engines will perform smoother. Is it safe to say that or is it track problems? Thanks
Some of the Dual Mode Decoders do require a little more voltage to get them going...
If your going to spend the cash on a new controller I would recommend going straight to DCC. The Digitrax Zepher is a pretty decent entry level system.
Thats is my plan. I will go dcc. Here is why I am asking this question. I have all new track,feeders every 2 feet all joiners are soldered and the tracks is cleaned almost every day. I have about 110-120 feet of track. The thing I notice is that my engines hit slow and fast spots in my layout and the cab lights flicker here and there and not over joints in the rails. I think that it is just because of the cheap controller. I only run one train at a time.
I don't think a cheap power pack is going to cause locomotives to slow down and speed up and cause cab lights to flicker with the way you've got your track done. Feeders every two feet and soldered rail joints should deliver good 12 volt power from the cheapest power pack made unless you've actually got a problem with the rectifier in the power pack. I'd at least take a voltmeter and go over the track and make sure you are getting a constant voltage everywhere. If not, it may be that the power pack is bad or you've got a continuity problem with the track. If you find areas of variable voltage, figure it out before you go over to DCC. It would be worth it to pick up a better quality MRC power pack from e-bay for $20 or so and see how that works. If the problems disappear, you know it was the power pack. The money won't be wasted because you can always use the power pack for lighting your layout. Your trains will run much smoother with DCC but DCC won't fix any actual electrical problems.
