Dcc/dc

[thogan3]

Was chatting with a friend at work about DCC....Pros and cons....was just wondering who on this board has DCC and who has DC.

I have both......I have a separate loop intertwined through my DCC layout...just to run my older DC units....they do cross at a diamond....but are electronically separate
Tom

[Eastern Roads]

One vote for the old way.... I run them that way because of all the old equipment and because I'm waiting to see DCC work the bugs out completely. I got to do operations on a large layout this week out in PA, and the stuff worked great....until something caused a short and killed off half the layout! I haven't had any problems like that, but then again, I'm still wiring tracks after a very long time! Love how DCC works (when it does) hate the bugs that can mess with it.

[Trainman1965]

Well anytime you got a computer running something there is going to be trouble. I love my DCC but you are right it has it's times. but when all is good it is a lot of fun. and there is not a lot of trouble with it just sometimes it has a hang up and dont seem to work out like it should. a lot less work to set up and run dcc then dc. And the thing i like about it i can run one train and be working with some others at the same time.

[Allegany2666]

I have made the leap to DCC but like you I think I will still run a DC loop. My reason is I have a fairly decant engine roster in DC and I just simply can't afford the cost of converting every piece over to DCC. Even if I master doing it myself just the cost of decoders, plugs and forget about sound units is just way more then this kid has to spend.

I know that DCC simplifies your life as far as layout wiring, switch machines and automation goes but again were back to the cost factor. So do you run stationary decoders with your switch machines or do you run a mess of wires and a mini toggle switch? There are so many arguments both for and against either or that it will make your head spin.


Like Trainman said when it comes to computers and PC boards or any electronics they are great when they work but when they don't most people don't have the expertise to correct the problem reasonably easy and cheap

I have a friend who has an extremely large layout and wanted to have a CTC machine but just could not figure how to do it without spending a fortune and finding someone who knew the first thing about them.
I set him up with a program I use at work to convert digital signals (which come out or in to a computer) to analog signal (plain old voltage). With this set up he can use his computer to select a channel and open or close a switch machine or multiple ones at the same time. Believe me when I say this wasn't a cheap undertaking. Just the hardware alone was a couple of grand but it's what he wanted. I scratched my head and said why, I will run stationary decoder, toggle switches on a master control board in my yard and in some places home made under table ground throw that I made using model airplane bell-cranks and drill rod. Real ingenious idea huh? Found it in a copy of Model Railroader from 1967.
So some times what old is definitely new again.

[ThoroughBreed]

I'm running dcc and love it. I was away from trains for a few years and had to put them into storage and now that I have the time to build again, I decided to go dcc and havent regretted it.
My first layout since rebuilding, worked great, now in the expanding-rebuilding stage, so its still not a problem.
I used to have the old blocks and ton of wiring dc layout and now this is nothing more than a mainline with feeders every few feet to supply it, cant get any simpler than that. As for decoders, you can spend as much or little as possible for decoders that work very well. I managed to snag quite a few Lenz LE1000W's before they quit making them and they only costed $10-12 each. They are single function, 1 amp decoders but worked great for the Athearn blue box units and I even used 1 in my BLI BLueline Ac6000 as it only had to control the motor, the onboard decoder controllled the sound and lights of the unit.
I still have quite a few engines to convert and it is a slow process, as I currently have about 35-40 engines converted with a few in-process units (still painting, decalling, detailling and dcc'ing at the same time).
So, I would say it is worth the expense of converting to dcc.

[domiluk]

my vote is for dcc that what i have i had dc at one time and just hated all the wireing an the double throw single switches . with dcc 2 main power lines an feeder lines and as someone said yon can spend as mush or as little you want on decoders i use digatrax 123 2 function they sell for about 15.00 dollars ea. and i still can run any dc engine on my layout with no problem.

[Allegany2666]

TB
how was it converting over the Athearn Blue Box units? Some people says it's not worth it some say it is. Like you and most people I have a lot of them. Their relatively inexpensive, run well and with a little detail work look just fine so I really don't want to have to replace them with newer DCC or DCC ready units which are clearly more money. Unless you buy the cheapy Bachmann units for $35.00 which I have a few of also and they seem to be ok.

[ThoroughBreed]

The bb units arent hard at all to do, just need a wired decoder to do it. I would suggest you take the dc unit, if new, and break it in first. I have a small vise on my worktable and put it in there, just the chassis with the motor already wired up and ready for the decoder, and run it with a dc power supply for a couple of hours. Then take the unit and wire it up with the decoder. The wiring is so simple.
With the front of the unit facing away from you, the right side rail pickup goes to the red wiring on the decoder, the left side goes to the black wiring of the decoder, the top of the motor attaches to the orange wire from the decoder and te bottom of the motor attaches to the gray. Thats all there is to it for basic motor functions. Just make sure you break the 2 little tabs off the bottom clip of the motor so it wont make contact with the chassis anymore. I do that and then put a small sliver of electrical tape on the silver section of the chassis that the 2 little tabs used to contact, just for security.
The only wiring left is for the lighting circuits and that all depends on the decoders you choose to get as to how many lighting funcions you get. Front and rear lights is a 2 function, with ditch lights, it just became a 4 function you'll need.
I have quite a few AC4400's, C44-9W's and geeps that are BB converted to dcc and they work fine.

[stevechurch2222]

I am going to go with DCC for my future layout,deciding between NCE,Digitrax,and Easy DCC.DCC has come a long way,and makes the wiring a lot easier.

[thogan3]

I have NCE and love it....started with Bachman EZ Dcc....though limited....it worked great....but got bored in a few months....my NCE is still a challenge...after 2 years