First DCC Running!

[chrismoore93]

Hey guys!
Well guys today I ran my first DCC train. I have only run DC until know:D The system I used was a MDC Command 2000, which I received from Grande Man:) I used a UP FA-1, also given to me by Grande Man:p , and three cars, two boxcars and a flat car. The system was great and the engine ran smoothly. One thing I really like is the fact that you could run the engine at a slow speed without it stalling. I ran it on an egg oval as I like to call it. If I defined an egg oval one side has a big radius the other small, so I can test how the train does on different radius's. Well I guess thats my higlight of the day.
Chris

[dthurman]

Great news Chris!!

I can't wait myself to get DCC going on my end, we have DC at the moment, but have MAJOR plans, finances are ready for the switch, now to see if Atlas will sell the replacement parts for all my lightboards with their DCC boards. If I would have known that Atlas boards (Lenz) had auto-sensing I would have just ordered them that way. I plan on getting the Prodigy Advanced, I can get one from the shop for $189.00 I wanted to get all the decoders first. We have one of those 2000 at the store, on consignment, not sure how much.

Must be nice to have Grandeman's handme downs :) Eric, when you replace all those trees, I am here ;)

[grande man]

That's great Chris. There's nothing like a train stopped with the lights on is there? That made the biggest impression on me when we first tried DCC.

You ain't getting our trees Dave. You'll have to make your own...:D

[grumpybob]

Welcome to a new world of fun Chris. Before i switched from DC over, I was lucky to get 3 people operating at the same time, Last night, I had six, and i could probably have had a seventh had i had a little more space.

[chrismoore93]

I ment to ask you Grande Man, do I have to have an MDC Decoder only??? Also about the lights, I may have to replace the light in the FA-1, it seemed like some how it wouldn't work:confused: Well it was pretty exciting to finally find out that I could run some engines slowly withouht them stalling :)
Chris

[enjineerbill]

Way to go Chris. Your gonna love it more and more as you get used to features only the prototypes could do!!!

Enjoy and keep us posted on all the cool stuff your doing.

Hey Grandeman, Those GP 30's are sure looking tired be sure to send them to Uncle Johnny's CNW division when the New Horsepower Arrives;) :D !!

Johnny

[dthurman]

Chris

Is it possible it needed a resistor to cut down on the juice to the light? I seem to remember reading about some lights on some brands, if it's not a dropin board might need that. But since I don't have DCC, I know nothing. (my best sgt shulzt accent)

[grande man]

I ment to ask you Grande Man, do I have to have an MDC Decoder only??? Also about the lights, I may have to replace the light in the FA-1, it seemed like some how it wouldn't work:confused: Well it was pretty exciting to finally find out that I could run some engines slowly withouht them stalling :)
Chris

Hey Chris. Your loco is factory MRC, so yes, it does have their decoder. The light was working, but it may have burned out. You did have it turned on, right? It won't come on automatically like DC. Just a thought.

Johnny, I couldn't bear to see another Grande unit patched, so they'll have to stay with us. :D

[grande man]

Chris

Is it possible it needed a resistor to cut down on the juice to the light? I seem to remember reading about some lights on some brands, if it's not a dropin board might need that. But since I don't have DCC, I know nothing. (my best sgt shulzt accent)


That wasn't the case with Chris's loco, but most (not all) decoder outputs are 12-16v, so resistors or proper voltage lamps are required. Some decoders are made specifically for certain locos, and already have the resistors installed so the factory 1.5 volt bulbs don't have to be changed. These are all things you'll get to deal with soon when you go to DCC. :)

[chrismoore93]

Grand Man I just ran the loco right know, I didn't touch a button a bam the light when on! So it would seem it is working lol ;) What I meant about the decoder was, do all the locos I have need an MDC Decoder, or can they have any type. I did however manage to program my DCC Mantua 2-6-6-2, so I am thinking the answer is no. Am I right???
Chris

[grande man]

You should be able to use any decoder. We were running several late model Digitrax decoders with your controller.

Glad to hear that you have lights!

[dthurman]

Glad to hear that you have lights!

It is a good thing, because if he didn't, he wouldn't be able to move that engine :rolleyes: Not sure what rule it is, but I don't think the crew would want a fine for a engine without a headlight properly working...

[NZRMac]

Your spot on Chris, any decoder from any manufacturer will work on any other DCC system provided it has NMRA approval. That's part of the cool DCC world!! I love it would never go back.

Ken.

[grumpybob]

you don't need to have decoders made just by the mfg'r that builds your system. They all meet the NMRA specs, so decoders are interchangeable from that respect.

[CSX_road_slug]

Chris,

One thing I might add, is that when you buy more decoders etc., you should go thru a dealer that specializes in DCC-related hardware. Examples include:

Tony's Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com/)
Litchfield Station (http://www.litchfieldstation.com/)
Loy's Toys (http://www.loystoys.com/)

This way you can get the technical support you'll need if anything fails to work as expected.

[Trackside]

If I can jump in here with my own DCC Q: :o

What would happen if I used a non-DCC ready loco? I have a few from the 80's. Would I have any control over it, or would it just run around the layout at full speed?

[grumpybob]

Actually it depends upon the system you have. NCE does not support Non-decodered Loco's. Some systems allow you to run them as address 00. In either case, don't leave them sitting on the track too long, as you might just burn up the loco especially the older units. Remembering that DCC has 12 to 16 volts running thru the track, and no filter (decoder) to run it properly.

[Trackside]

Ok - thanks. About a week or so ago I looked at the common questions, and Faq list from 1 manufacturer, and it didn't address this.

Another Q:

I think it was Chris who said that he could run his loco at very slow speeds without stalling. So DCC can regulate the speed of the loco too? Does that mean I can run a train at a snails pace, and it will keep that same pace up a grade, or say around a sharp curve? What about down a grade?

[chrismoore93]

Ok - thanks. About a week or so ago I looked at the common questions, and Faq list from 1 manufacturer, and it didn't address this.

Another Q:

I think it was Chris who said that he could run his loco at very slow speeds without stalling. So DCC can regulate the speed of the loco too? Does that mean I can run a train at a snails pace, and it will keep that same pace up a grade, or say around a sharp curve? What about down a grade?

Indeed it was me that said that. But keep in mind I was just running a loco and a few cars on a flat surface;)
Chris

[Trackside]

Ok, so perhaps it's more the effect of a nice piece of equipment (controller) rather than some software which can tell how fast/slow the engine is moving.

Darn Chris, you had me sold on one for a minute there. :D

[grumpybob]

Some Decoders which have what is called Back EMF helps regulate and provide constant speed whether the engine is going up or down hill. I haven't tried it at really low speed, but it does work well under decent scale speed. Of course that is dependent upon the number of cars and the weight of the cars being pulled by the train. Software such as "DecoderPro" help you regulate Startng speed, top Speed, Speed curves etc, but doesn't actually run the trains for you.

[RexHea]

Trackside: QSI, Tsunami, and probably the new Digitrax have what is called Regulated Throttle Control. This will give you a near constant speed up hill and down hill regardless of the load. Another advantage to the RTC is when you consist two or more locos set with this on, you will get a near perfect match in pulling power with both locos actually sensing the pull or drag of the other.

All the higher level decoders have what is called "loadable speed tables" where you can adjust a start to run speed curve. i.e., For a freight you can set it up for a very slow and long start slowing picking up to run speed or you can have a quicker start to run speed for a passenger.

Another and simple method, but doesn't cover the entire throttle range is to adjust CV3 for acceleration and CV4 for deceleration.

Trackside, there are many many adjustments in DCC you can play with to get your loco running exactly like you want. :)

[Soo]

There are even lighting options also, as in rule 17 dimming. In some of my N scale locos, I even have flashing roof becons. Way kewl!!!! Imagine a LL SW-1200 with decoder and roof becon, working the yard...

Before I had moved, I just started messing around with matching the speed of different manufacture locomotives,,,, IE ,, Atlas with Kato's. By using the Start, Mid, High cv's. I also messed a little bit with the momentum effects. I know on Digitrax decoders, you can choose from preloaded speed tables, as in switcher, road switcher and the big kahuna. Entering the specific value in that CV will enable you to choose from pre load speed tables.

I use the EASY DCC system from CVP products located in Richardson, Tx. From start to finish, I had the system set up and running trains in about 90 minutes. I also use thier accessory decoder for control of my crossovers which are moved by tortiose machines. One decoder can control four items... so one decoder has control over four of my main line crossovers. The future plans consist of have a Absolute permissive block control signal system, with tumble down signal aspects. So either by the controling of the crossover, which would change the signal aspects,,, or controlling the signal aspects, would make the crossover throw.

Using the Decoder-Pro program, you can make your own CTC panel for such things.. Ibetter shut up on this, I con type all night,LOL

What is kewlllllllll, is that you can control your train and the crossover at the same time. Meaning the CVP handheld has the option of being in accy mode, but still control the loco decoder(s) also.

DCC is just in one word ..( SWEET). I will NEVER go back to analog. It is sooooo kewl to run my switch job in Fond Du Lac, while there are main line trains going in either direction...

One word on CVP's customer support, EXCELLANT!!!!!!!

Adios Wyatt

[grande man]

Wyatt, I think you're as sold on DCC as I am. ;) Everytime I work with the Digitrax system I'm amazed at what it'll do. It really is COOOOL stuff. :cool:

PS, I know what you mean about the SW1200 with the roof beacon going.;) The lighting effects are fantastic!
http://pic15.picturetrail.com/VOL615/3680850/7585034/119300022.jpg

[chrismoore93]

Well guys I have been running the locos on the system for a couple days now :D I have all of my DCC ready loco's programmed. Also it seems now that I am way more familiar with how the system works. Thanks again Grande Man, I appreciate it, and I know I will use it on my layout ;)
Chris

[grande man]

Well guys I have been running the locos on the system for a couple days now :D I have all of my DCC ready loco's programmed. Also it seems now that I am way more familiar with how the system works. Thanks again Grande Man, I appreciate it, and I know I will use it on my layout ;)
Chris


You're very welcome, Chris. I'm glad to hear that you're getting used to the system and running some trains. It's good to know that the equipment ended up with someone that'll put it to good use. :cool: