Being DCS (MTH) & TMCC (LIONEL) systems can be used together with converters, can DCC be use with any or both of these systems?
Frank R. EMIRO ________________________________ From: bcgsteam <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Wednesday, November 2, 2011 11:49 PM Subject: {S-Scale List} Converting DC layouts to DCC (was: re:Werre on re-wiring his system) Everyone has an opinion about DCC, experiences vary widely and lots has been written on the subject, but here are my thoughts on converting and running a layout with it. I've been using DCC for 12 years and wireless DCC for about 6. The biggest advantage of DCC from a wiring standpoint is its ultimate simplicity...basically two bus wires running around the underside of the layout with feeders to the track. Breaking a large layout into 'districts' is only slightly more complicated. Wiring reverse loops is nearly trivial with today's electronic 'reversers'. Unfortunately, depending on the size of the layout, the gauge of the bus lines recommended by DCC manufacturers is often larger than most modelers use for DC wiring. That means replacing the main buses may be required. Some folks propose leaving their original DC 'cab control' rotary switches and block switches and other wiring in place so they can run "both DC and DCC" but all that wiring just leaves opportunities for elecrical problems (including shorts and voltage drops) and once you've operated with DCC, it's unlikely you'll every go back to DC. On the other hand, feeders from the buses to the rails can usually be carried over from DC layouts, at least from a gauge standpoint. However, it is generally recommended that more feeders be used for DCC (preferably every rail section should have its own feeder) to avoid any voltage drop across rail joiners which make lousy conductors. Even though rewiring (or upgrading) may be necessary, (and decoders added to locomotives...admittedly not cheap), the benefits of DCC are unmatched if you enjoy prototypical operations such as double heading, "meets", sound and other prototypical activities as they are easily handled with DCC. All the major manufacturers now also offer wireless DCC so that no 'tether/cable' is needed between the throttle/cab and the layout providing ultmate freedom to move along the layout with your train and multiple crews don't get tangled in each other's cables. --- In [email protected], "David Heine" <davesn3@...> wrote: > > Bill, > > Most people pick the locomotives they use the most and convert them first. > How many do you regularly run? > > Dave Heine > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > Willam Fraley > Sent: Wednesday, November 02, 2011 12:03 PM > To: [email protected] > Subject: {S-Scale List} Werre on re-wiring his system > > Bob, > > > > I've been told the same thing, simply pull the DC and install the DCC and > it'll work out okay. GULP! > > I figure if I switch, I need to pull all the wiring and rewire the layout to > be safe. > > What keeps me back is all my 30 some locomotives needs refitted, or should I > say most of them? > > I'm getting close to start selling off most of my equipment. > > > > Bill (Fraley) > > > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > > ------------------------------------ > > Yahoo! Groups Links > [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: [email protected] [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/
