OK folks. Here's the situation... I have a layout which consists of 3 continuous running tracks and sidings which are controlled by 4 DC controllers (actually two double ones). I want to move towards DCC, but don't have the cash to convert everything at once, so I'm looking for a half-way-house where I can still indepentantly controll all 4 sets of tracks, but convert one track to DCC, then 2, then 3 then all 4 as I get the cash/time to fit decoders.
Can I do this? or is it a complete no-no?
If I isolate a DC section from a DCC section, what will happen if a loco bridges the gap? Do I need a switchable section inbetween or is this just not feasible?
If I get a Lenz Set 100, will I be able to run a DC loco as per the Bachmann badged controller? Ditto for the Lenz Compact set?
Here is a simplified diagram of my layout:
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The alternative to all this, as I see it, is to start chipping-up all my stock with DC-comaptible decoders, then buy the controller when I have it all done...
Comments / advice / encouragement would be welcome!!!
You can, but its awkward to wire up. You need to keep complete isolation between the DC and DCC systems.
AFAIK, all will allow running of a loco on DC (check the Bachmann instructions to see how their's does it), but see the caveats elsewhere on the thread about the problems. Its not really recommended.
Err am I missing something...
With any of the DCC controllers you've listed, you can set running any number of locomotives and they stay running until you call them up again and change the speed (this is part of the DCC standard). So, whilst you would have to swap the loco (chip) numbers in and out of the controller, you can drive four trains simultaneously. The limitation is the power supply of the controller, I'm not sure if the Bachmann (or Lenz compact) would have enough power for four simultaneously running locos (it depends on your motor efficiency). If you want more control knobs (to change speeds without having to call up a loco number first), you can add a second control unit to the DCC base station (at least you can with the Lenz units, suspect not possible with the Bachmann system)
Looking at your layout diagram, I guess operations are a combination of (a) trains circling around on the red, black and blue, (b) shunting of trains on the green, and sometimes (c) stopping the running trains to allow a train to leave or enter the green section. This would suggest that DCC with only one control would work as the red, black and blue sections can be set running and left while you shunt trains around in green. You can then stop green, stop whichever of red/black/blue are needed, and swap the trains about (though obviously you may benefit from adding a second controller as it means less calling up of locos).
From my playing with DCC equipped layouts, I'm starting to like the Lenz 100 push-button over those with knob controls. However, that is the most expensive of the controllers of the ones you've listed, running in at almost £300 UK list price once a mains power supply is included.
One way to do it on a budget might be to get the Bachmann (accept its cheap and thus limited in capabilities) and chip everything. The Bachmann only supports up to 10 locos, so your chip budget is less than the price of a Lenz 100 set. When your budget is able to stand it, upgrade the control unit to a Lenz one and flog the Bachman on the second hand market (accept it for what it is; an entry level stepping stone tool).
Or, as I'm implying above, chip everything and buy a single controller, then upgrade the controller later ?
Switching between DC and DCC sections is supported by the DCC standard and a lot of people have a switchable section in front of signals and set decoders to brake on DC so making the section DC tells the decoder to deaccelerate to 0. The feature was put in as a safegaurd for just such a situation.
Might be interesting to try.
Depending on decoder settings decoder locos will either brake to 0 or will try to go in the direcion of the DC controller which if not synced will be could cause problems, best avoided for that reason.
The DCC standard reserses address 0 for DC locos and works for all command station/boosters.
You could completly isolate sections of the layout i.e. don't run trains between DC and DCC loops until everything is equiped.
Loco 0 does not have fine slow speed control like DCC chipped ones do. = As speed on the controller is increased (by small steps), loco 0 will = respond in much bigger steps.
Poor compared to what? It was good compared to the controller from the Thomas & Percy R/C set. As for burnout, it didn't happen in the 24 hours it took me to fit decoders. How many cases of burnout for this reason have you ever heard of? Yes it is possible, but how likely is quite another matter.
I have run four locos simultaneously on my Compact --- all at something near maximum speed. The locos were the Hornby Gordon, Percy and Thomas, plus a Bachmann class 24 diesel. However running 4 locos with two throttles (control knobs) on a layout with just two continuous run tracks is 'exciting'. Sooner or later one runs into the loco ahead of it --- my children find this hilarious.
I have the Compact plus an LH30 --- because I have two children.
The Lenz decoders brake if the DC section is set to the wrong direction, otherwise they then continue as normal. Seems a reasonable and easily managed behaviour.
1] Poor compared with the conventional Dc controller (Gaugemaster handheld 'W' non-feedback) I used prior to conversion to DCC, and decidely p1ss-poor compared with chipped locos.
2] I asked the very question on Demodellers before risking one of my own non-DCC fitted USA 'kettles' on the Compact, and several people reported having fried DC motors when used in this manner. In that case I reckon there's a risk, and it's worth reporting.
Sorry this is a repost I failed to hit the "group" button!
Hi Adrian, I'm operating DCC in Australia, n scale based on American prototype so my perspective is a little different from yours. Like you I could not afford to convert everything at once so I did it in stages. I retained my DC control equipment and ran either DC or DCC according to which locos had been converted and using a double pole switch to select one or the other. Whilst there are complications with running DC on DCC control ( buzzing and risk of motor damage) there is no problem with running converted locos on the DC system. In practice it did not take too long before I was running mainly DCC and whilst I still have the dual system I seldom run DC now. I note comments from others and I am a bit wary but I can and do run DC locos addressed as "0" on DCC and it does not seem to have done them any harm.
With your system it should be possible to run some tracks DCC and others DC simultaneously but it would require some pretty tricky electrical switching and isolation. I think the only penalty of shorting between the two would be tripping out the system. Check it but most DCC systems would not be easily damaged. Remember that DCC runs on a constant AC like track voltage of about
15 to 18v so there's more power around on the tracks than with DC.
NMRA have developed a de facto world standard for DCC. Make sure that any equipment you buy is to their standard and everything of any make produced to that standard will work.
I use the American Digitrax equipment, there is a bigger selection than the Lenz. The starter model DCS 50 "Zephyr" will run 10 locos and has full programming capabilities. It is upwards compatible with the more expensive systems. I think you are looking at about $US150 plus freight. Don't buy the power pack they are all 110v, get one locally.
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worth a look anyway and there are plenty of good mail order suppliers in the USA if you cannot get one in the UK. I started off with a ROCO system which was OK but not fully compatible and I regretted it, finally cutting my losses and ditching it. Lenz, like Digitrax make to the NRMA standard.
I suspect that the 'poor control' is more a function of the particular motor in the loco than of DCC per se. I have run a number of DC-only locos on my layout using address=0 with no noticeable degradation over their performance on pure-DC.
Having said that, a decoder-equipped loco is almost always going to run better than one not-so-equipped because of it's optimisation for running on DCC.
Jeff Law New Zealand
Loco 0 does not have fine slow speed control like DCC chipped ones do. As speed on the controller is increased (by small steps), loco 0 will respond in much bigger steps.
the later have been importing longer and are Digitrax trained hence slightly higher prices. Have used both with no problems. Digitrax should become cheaper as the US $ falls against GB £.
Thanks for all the input... At least I am better informed - if still unsure which way to go.
I could probably afford to buy a Lenz Compact and enough decoders to get 50% of my stock converted, but the Lenz 100 (which sounds like the better choice) is pushing it a little bit.
Am I right in thinking that I can add a second controller to the Compact just as easily as the Set100?
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