Converting to DCC

[201bhoy]

What do I need to convert to DCC? All I know is that I need a controller, and a decoder for each locomotive. What else do I need?

[Broithe]

Money.

[BosKonay]

lol - basically you are right.

 

You might need to tweak your wiring if you've an existing DC layout, but otherwise just need a DCC controller and chips in all your stock.

[201bhoy]

I don't think money is an issue to start off with anyway I only really have two locos so far so I have enough money from birthday and Christmas to get them chipped plus the controller. From then on I'll get a loco and chip for a birthday or Christmas present

[Broithe]

Well, that's about it, then - like the Bos says, you might need to fiddle around with the wiring a little, but that'll be a fairly minor thing.

 

Off you go.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

What ever you do stay clear of Hornby and Bachmann DCC controllers

[RedRich]

I don't think money is an issue to start off with anyway I only really have two locos so far so I have enough money from birthday and Christmas to get them chipped plus the controller. From then on I'll get a loco and chip for a birthday or Christmas present

 

Money for birthdays and Christmas, wait until you're our age it will be socks and aftershave. There are a lot of the guys using DCC on here Vincent so you will have no problem getting sound advice, and anyway an enthusiastic and intelligent young man like yourself will have it sussed out in no time at all .

 

Rich,

[aramand]

What ever you do stay clear of Hornby and Bachmann DCC controllers

 

So what do you suggest ? I'm probably going to upgrade at some point from my existing Hornby Select but not sure what to get. To be honest while the Select is a bit limited not sure its as bad as some people seem to think - then again I've never used any other so not sure what I'm missing

[201bhoy]

So what do you suggest ? I'm probably going to upgrade at some point from my existing Hornby Select but not sure what to get. To be honest while the Select is a bit limited not sure its as bad as some people seem to think - then again I've never used any other so not sure what I'm missing

 

Thanks for the advice everyone! I have to say aramand that I'm thinking the same thing: What is so bad about them? I probably only have the money for that at the minute anyway so I'm pretty limited. And broithe I'm building a brand new layout (North Wall in the layouts section )

[BosKonay]

If you have to buy a select, try to pick one up cheap.

 

They are 'grand' but it's amazing the 'quality' of signal - and therefore running - you'll get from a slightly better system.

 

I had a select, then upgraded to an elite, and found some locos ran frustratingly (stopping, jumpy running, etc).

 

I picked up a Lenz set and all the problems went away.... lovely smooth running since.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

So what do you suggest ? I'm probably going to upgrade at some point from my existing Hornby Select but not sure what to get. To be honest while the Select is a bit limited not sure its as bad as some people seem to think - then again I've never used any other so not sure what I'm missing

 

 

There are lots of systems out there I would say the most popular are Lenz, NCE, and Gaugemaster. No matter who you ask they will always say there's is the best. Just remember if you ask in a shop they will most likely tell you what they sell is the best (remember they just want your money) Your best bet is to talk to a dealer who specialise in DCC. The like of DCC Supplies sell lots of systems and will give you plenty of advice. I use NCE myself.

[aramand]

Well I only have a very small layout but havent noticed any unusual issues with stopping, jumpy type issues.

 

Two features (or lack of !) which I find annoying on the Select are :

 

- when you have multiple locos running then switching between them is awkward as it doesnt remember the throttle position - I believe that is fixed in the latest version of the Hornby Elite.

 

- other is apart from Funtion-0 which is typically the running lights you need 2 fingers to toggle the functions as its the function button and the number - a bit clumsy I think.

[Flying Scotsman 4472]

I probably only have the money for that at the minute anyway so I'm pretty limited.)

 

Not as expensive as you think and if you order before 2pm you get it the next day. Its a great system for the money.

 

 

http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=24_111&products_id=487

[201bhoy]

Not as expensive as you think and if you order before 2pm you get it the next day. Its a great system for the money.

 

 

http://www.dccsupplies.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=24_111&products_id=487

 

Definitely not as expensive as I had thought, but what make sit so much better than the hornby one? I have no knowledge or experience of DCC at all so I'm really in the dark about the whole thing.

[enniscorthyman]

Definitely not as expensive as I had thought, but what make sit so much better than the hornby one? I have no knowledge or experience of DCC at all so I'm really in the dark about the whole thing.

If you could call to see someone's layout that has DCC, that would help.As Anthony has said

Everyone has their fav unit so if you can,do check different units out.

[Barl]

I use the Hornby Elite and have never had any issues with it, its easy to use also; but I've never experienced other systems so I wouldn't know what to compare it to.

[Broithe]

I'm inclined to go Gaugemaster, but I don't know anybody that's actually gone digital and I would feel happier if I could play about properly first...

[Mayner]

The companies that specialise in manufacturing controls systems DCC or Analogue tend to produce better control systems than those that produce model trains like Hornby & Bachmann.

 

Because its a pretty expensive purchase most people tend to buy into and stick with one system, but you can mix match decoders.

 

Lenz, NCE & Digitrax are probably the most popular and widely available.

 

As far as I know the Gaugemaster Prodigy Advanced DCC system is produced by MRC an American Company. Its a proven product that has good reviews in the Model Railroader.

 

The most important thing is chosing a system thats capable of expansion and compatible with other DCC products, I have used Digitrax for over 10 years with a mixture of other companies, decoders and accessories.

 

John

[irishthump]

To be honest while the Select is a bit limited not sure its as bad as some people seem to think - then again I've never used any other so not sure what I'm missing

 

I thought the same thing. I started with a Hornby Mixed freight set, which ran lovely so I could'nt understand the complaints. I soon found out that the Select will run fine with it's own decoders that are installed in it's locos. The problems start when you run other makes of decoder on the Select. Likewise when I started running the locos from the set with my Prodigy Advance, crap running right from the start.

[BosKonay]

Hornby's DCC 'implementation' isnt' 100% compliant to the standards, so really works best with hornby decoders. Your mileage may vary with other decoders.

[WT CLASS 2-6-4T No. 4]

Hi Guys, I don't know much about DCC and have a few questions. Thanks in advance.

What is the track voltage with DCC, is it DC, AC or modified high frequency AC? Do you need power booster modules to increase the available power or just connect a transformer to track.

[Dave]

DCC is a modified DC supply to the track. Similar to AC except the sine wave is different. You only need boosters for very large layouts running a lot of locos at once. Just connect the controller to the track. But with DCC it needs clean connections to the track, preferably soldered.

[WT CLASS 2-6-4T No. 4]

Thanks Dave.

[burnthebox]

WT, have you given any thought to trying the Hornby DCC Select controllor, may give you some idea as what DCC can do,