My NCE Power Pro Manual states that the system will not run locos with DC, and that NCE thinks that it's a bad idea (to paraphrase). I have installed a DPDT switch on my layout so that I can toggle between my DC power pack and my DCC system. Allows me to run locos to test before installing a decoder, and to run my old stuff that may never be decoder equipped. I store locos on dead sidings to protect them from any damaging current.
Roger Nulton ----- Original Message ----- From: Greene, Michael To: ed_loizeaux ; [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2008 5:47 PM Subject: Re: {S-Scale List} Digitrax or NCE?? Ed The NCE PowerHouse Pro system does have a NMRA Conformance Warrant (warrant #2005-11), but to the best of my knowledge it does not support running an engine without a decoder. The NMRA standards for DCC do not require that a manufacturer implement the ability to operate a loco without a decoder on the system. It's at the discretion of the manufacturer. While it is a nice feature that allows a modeler to test run a loco just purchased and in which you have not yet installed a decoder, doing so also has some other implications. See this older DCC FAQ for more details http://jdb.psu.edu/nmra/faq_19.html#comp I haven't seen many negative effects of this feature (so called zero stretching) on S scale engines (the motors are more robust). I have seen and heard of definite negative effects in my former scale (N). I would recommend some care in operating non-decoder equipped locos on a DCC system and I don't recommend leaving a loco with out a decoder just sitting on a DCC powered track. It can generate a lot of a vibration/heat depending on the motor. Regards Michael At 1/30/2008 03:06 PM, ed_loizeaux wrote: >--- In [email protected], Don Thompson <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > I am not very familar with NCE, but I believe > > you will need another board to operate non-decoder engines. > >Just to set the record straight, the NCE system is NMRA compliant and >certified and has a Conformance Warrant. That alone says it will >operate engines without a decoder. No additional hardware is >required. Cheers...Ed L. > > > > >Yahoo! Groups Links > > > ---------------------------------------------------------- Michael Greene Dunstable, MA, USA Member: NMRA(Life), NASG, Bristol S Gaugers, The 470 Railroad Club National Assoc. of S Gaugers http://www.nasg.org DCC Corner http://www.dccinfo.com Maine Railroads http://www.mainerailroads.org ---------------------------------------------------------- [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
