AC or DC

You'd have to see who's using what to control the engines to get a proper answer. Some are straight DC power, some are running DCC, a few of us run MTH's  DCS system with either AC or DC packs ( I have both), and some have TMCC with AC power (& think of American Flyer 2 rail S scale for example).

 The MTH full DCS system allows for either AC or DC. Using DC, only allows for the 2 fixed channels to be used on the TIU or some creative power changing after the TIU.

 When I switched from some early 3 rail purchases over to two rail O scale, I stayed with the MTH system for control that I already use on my G scale as well. A lot of their engines ( diesel especially) are easy to switch over to 2 rail. They will run on AC or DC. Someone once told me not to swap AC to DC for power as it would fry the boards if they were used to AC for example. That's a myth. I swap the power source all the time working on my bench for testing purposes.

I operate my trains on straight DC power.

Joe

Hey Joe. Does DCS work better under a DC or AC power source? At some point I'm thinking I might want to build an outdoor operation and I'd rather run that on DC if I can.

Sorry, I do not know.  My railroad has always been powered by straight DC.

Joe

rrjjf posted:

I operate my trains on straight DC power.

Joe

Same.

HUH?  Martin,  You have me stumped!

Joe

AGHRMatt posted:

Hey Joe. Does DCS work better under a DC or AC power source? At some point I'm thinking I might want to build an outdoor operation and I'd rather run that on DC if I can.

I don't see a significant difference between AC and DC for operation.  If I had to guess, DC might be a tiny bit better as you don't have the electrical noise of the AC affecting the DCS signal.  I know that MTH programs stuff on their bench with DC, and I've taken to doing that as well.  PS/3 seems to like DC more than AC for loading sound and chain files.

rrjjf posted:

HUH?  Martin,  You have me stumped!

Joe

Straight DC, Joe, just simple old straight DC! 

AGHRMatt posted:

Hey Joe. Does DCS work better under a DC or AC power source? At some point I'm thinking I might want to build an outdoor operation and I'd rather run that on DC if I can.

I briefly tested my G scale with AC and DC when issues were creeping in about signal outside. I didn't see any difference and the issue was actually the switches corroding. It seems easy now but I had to eliminate many other items in the chain and that left me without time and energy to research AC vs. DC further. I had run G scale with my Lionel PH180s and tested the MTH packs as well with good results.

I feel the biggest thing is power for $ = AC. I spent big bucks on DC power from someone's recommendations so there's no sense in going back unless someone buys my Bridgewerks DC packs for what they're worth. They run every train I can possibly put on the rails so I can't complain there. I have a DC power pack that Tank gave me for free and guess what?, that works very well too!

 I was hoping that the benefits of AC on transmission over long distances would show up in some way on larger toy RRs. I think with my lot size and wiring techniques, it doesn't come into play. Maybe if I get a couple of acres of land that I want, I can test further.

 The Mrs. doesn't wish to move as much as I do! That has probably saved me a lot of grief already.

 Anyways Matt, how's all that for helping you decide? 

You need power in reserve and I believe that quality DC or AC packs will work.

We 2 railers are varied.

I have a dual system where my power source can be switched between DC and AC either the entire RR or just a portion of it.  I am currently running PS-2 & PS-3 on conventional but just acquired a pair of TIUs to try DCS.  I got two, One for the two rail and one for my three rail.

There is also a battery R/C which I got awhile ago so I could run something while under construction.  I wish all my equipment was battery R/C.

Engineer-Joe posted:

AGHRMatt posted:

Hey Joe. Does DCS work better under a DC or AC power source? At some point I'm thinking I might want to build an outdoor operation and I'd rather run that on DC if I can.

I briefly tested my G scale with AC and DC when issues were creeping in about signal outside. I didn't see any difference and the issue was actually the switches corroding. It seems easy now but I had to eliminate many other items in the chain and that left me without time and energy to research AC vs. DC further. I had run G scale with my Lionel PH180s and tested the MTH packs as well with good results.

I feel the biggest thing is power for $ = AC. I spent big bucks on DC power from someone's recommendations so there's no sense in going back unless someone buys my Bridgewerks DC packs for what they're worth. They run every train I can possibly put on the rails so I can't complain there. I have a DC power pack that Tank gave me for free and guess what?, that works very well too!

 I was hoping that the benefits of AC on transmission over long distances would show up in some way on larger toy RRs. I think with my lot size and wiring techniques, it doesn't come into play. Maybe if I get a couple of acres of land that I want, I can test further.

 The Mrs. doesn't wish to move as much as I do! That has probably saved me a lot of grief already.

 Anyways Matt, how's all that for helping you decide? 

You need power in reserve and I believe that quality DC or AC packs will work.

Actually that helps quite a bit. Thanks.

Thank you everyone.  I know Mike makes engines and rolling stock with Hi Rail Wheel Sets with metal axles for correct continuity and Scale wheels with Fiber Axles so the wheel sets will not short out the DC. Am I correct?  

Close, not really fiber axles but they are insulated steel axles. Maybe that's what you're saying? I think the way MTH axles are split, is different than other manufacturers. I'm just glad that they make it easy to chose. There was a line that separated O scale drawn in the sand. That line is now more blurred everyday.

 Hopefully soon, all our toys won't have any third rail or power issues to consider. We'll be closer to the real thing that will go anywhere and anyway the rails go without worry.

I'm a DC man, I like their comics as well!  Roo.