My origianl response to this thread/question has been adated to a separate
topic on fitting methods.
Below are my thougths on the original subject.
Phil: You could usefully consider dcc as providing a feedback controller,
optimally adjusted, right at the heart of the device you are wishing to
control: ie inside the locomotive!
Each dcc module*/decoder can be individually tailored to appropriate
maximum speeds, inertia, and starting voltage etc for each individual loco:
so that as the controller is moved to 'step 1' (which could be one of 14,
27,28 or 128 discretely requestable speeds - to which the decoder will
respond using maybe 256 internal speed steps, and changing with whatever
inertia you have specified - from none to heavy)
(*naming habit from Zero-1 days).
If you want back-emf control, then this can be optimally provided, or not.
- its your choice.
If you want directional lights, and integrated sound now or in the future,
then it makes sense not to progress down a blind alley which prevents this
being easily implimented (by remaining analogue)
If you are likely to modify your tracklayout, then 'classic' sectioanl
wiring is cumbersome, and may require a new design of control panel,
whereas with dcc just a paper drawing (or screen) needs to be redrawn.
If you already have sections on your layout - leave them, but just replace
ONE of you analogue controllers with a dcc unit: and switch on as many
sections as you wish that don't have an analogue loco parked on them
(although 1 analogue loco can be controlled - but it would be via the dcc
unit).
Modern h.f. decoders switch drive at above audio frequencies - allowing
'silent operation' and smaller components - suitable for all types of
motor.
rgds
phil
- posted 17 years ago