After 20 years it is time to start again. I have a number of Hornby HO locomotives, track, points etc but am looking to go to DCC with Peco track. At this stage I am considering Digitrax but not real sure what to get to run 3 or possibly 4 locomotives. My plan consists of 2 main lines with couple of branch lines. I am considering firsly to purchase a locomotive with dcc and as I get set up to gradually add decoders to my old locomotives if that is possible. In order to set up turnout motors can I use my current DC controllers ? A long way to go but looking forward to seeing trains running again
starting again
- Thread starter masterian
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Selector
Well-Known Member
Good choice about DCC, but I hesitate to advise you which make or model....'cuz they all work really well. It is sometimes only down to form factor (how it feels and how it looks, the size of the display, the size and arrangement of the buttons on the paddle, etc.) or the power you need.
I can offer you some guidance about power. In DCC, if no speakers and amplifier are present in the decoder, you would need something like one full amp per locomotive if you need lighting and pulling fairly long trains, especially up a 1-2% grade. Even though they may actually use less, it is best to figure that way to prevent disappointment. And this is assuming that you won't have all the locomotives working hard at once. If you top out at four with DCC-no sound, then count on about three-four amps as a minimum. If you add sound, it is more like 1.5 amps, but there is variance between decoders and the motors they power.
If it is highly unlikely you'll ever run more than an A/B set or double-head a couple of sound-equipped steamers, 2.5-3 amps are more than enough, leaving room for an idling switcher in the yard to move about a bit, but to run the sound system.
Last bit of advice, still with power. Think ahead. Is it possible you will have a guest or two and want to hand them a second throttle so they can run trains? Will you have more locos than just three or four? Then think of future capabilities. Yes, you can sell and replace it with a more powerful system, but you'll pay in newly-inflated dollars and you'll lose about 40% of the price/value of the system you're replacing...a double whammy. So, if you are thinking 2 amps now, think 3. If you are considering 3 amps right away, think about 4-5. The amps don't wither and die, they don't fade in colour, they don't become obsolete. Whatever you need in the foreseeable future, that's what you'll have handy.
I can offer you some guidance about power. In DCC, if no speakers and amplifier are present in the decoder, you would need something like one full amp per locomotive if you need lighting and pulling fairly long trains, especially up a 1-2% grade. Even though they may actually use less, it is best to figure that way to prevent disappointment. And this is assuming that you won't have all the locomotives working hard at once. If you top out at four with DCC-no sound, then count on about three-four amps as a minimum. If you add sound, it is more like 1.5 amps, but there is variance between decoders and the motors they power.
If it is highly unlikely you'll ever run more than an A/B set or double-head a couple of sound-equipped steamers, 2.5-3 amps are more than enough, leaving room for an idling switcher in the yard to move about a bit, but to run the sound system.
Last bit of advice, still with power. Think ahead. Is it possible you will have a guest or two and want to hand them a second throttle so they can run trains? Will you have more locos than just three or four? Then think of future capabilities. Yes, you can sell and replace it with a more powerful system, but you'll pay in newly-inflated dollars and you'll lose about 40% of the price/value of the system you're replacing...a double whammy. So, if you are thinking 2 amps now, think 3. If you are considering 3 amps right away, think about 4-5. The amps don't wither and die, they don't fade in colour, they don't become obsolete. Whatever you need in the foreseeable future, that's what you'll have handy.
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thanks for the comments It has helped me make up my mind in what my controller needs are. I do intend going to an exhibition shortly and also visiting a couple of stores so it won't be long before I can start putting things together and probably asking a lot more questions.
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