Tom, have you looked at Chuck Kemper's youtube videos? He runs DCC on his FasTrack layout. Chuck sometimes posts here, hopefully he will see your question and reply. I use Legacy on the SHS/MTH track with no problems, but I do not know of anyone with DCC. One reason is most S gaugers operating with DCC use scale track.

I recall some HO DCC users commenting on using a feeder about every 6', not sure why that would be necessary.

Tom,

Another thing you might want to look at is the Blunami, an very recent development in DCC. It can be run on a cell phone, at present Apple but it sounds like Android is pretty close. Big advantage is you need no DCC  base, it is wireless,  I am looking at going that way with my SW 1200 switcher and maybe a steamer.

Use this address

124 - The new Blunami decoder opens some big doors for DC & DCC users

I run DCC on a loop of Lionel fastrack under the tree with the single power feed. I have zero issues and even have a loop of HO running DCC off of the same system. My son and I built a DCC++ ex system. It is very compact and allows you to run from an app on your phone, or your computer, and you can even webcast so that anyone can run it from their phone without an app.

As Tom said above, I do DCC on S scale FasTrack.  How big will your temporary layout be? I doubt you will need a bus. You'll probably just need to run 2 sets of wires from your DCC command station/booster to 2 terminal track sections positioned at opposite ends of your layout.

@logcruiser posted:

I run DCC on a loop of Lionel fastrack under the tree with the single power feed.

@Chuck K posted:

As Tom said above, I do DCC on S scale FasTrack.  How big will your temporary layout be? I doubt you will need a bus. You'll probably just need to run 2 sets of wires from your DCC command station/booster to 2 terminal track sections positioned at opposite ends of your layout.

What size wire are you using for your feeders?  I use two, 18 AWG feeds, at opposite ends of a 37' loop and have no problem running with DC.

Would you think I would need a larger gauge wire for DCC?

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

If you did not have any problems with DC I don't think you will have a problem with DCC, but as you know there are a lot of factors to consider.  I am running 18 AWG and seem to have less trouble with DCC.

Well, it's starting to appear possible... so far.  What would I need for a power source?  I am using a 13.8 V power supply now.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

May I ask what DCC system and DCC trains you are planning to run?

@logcruiser posted:

May I ask what DCC system and DCC trains you are planning to run?

Of course, but I'm not sure I know.  NCE would probably be my first choice because many S scale people use it.  Maybe Digitrax a close second.  Engine wise, mostly steamers, all with can motors.

I think that's what you are asking.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Okay,

If you get the NCE starter set it will come with it's own power supply.  Do you currently have any engines with DCC decoders, or will you be adding those?

@logcruiser posted:

Okay,

If you get the NCE starter set it will come with it's own power supply.  Do you currently have any engines with DCC decoders, or will you be adding those?

SHS engines have an 8 pin plug so a decoder can just be plugged in.  I'm not sure about American Models, old Flyer engines would need everything (whatever that might be), but would have a new can motor installed.  No guess about Flyonel engines, but I would probably take out the existing electronics and install my own -- I guess.

It's my understanding the the Digitrax system will allow you to operate 1 DC loco, while NCE doesn't.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Tom, I can provide lots of advice on these topics having been through the journey of DCC in S scale.  But it will too much to type out here, especially since much will be dependent upon your desires. I am happy to schedule a call to discuss as I have done with others. You can email me at chuck7612@hotmail.com to set something up.

Tom, Legacy engines beginning with the ES44Ac in the 2013 American Flyer catalog are DCC enabled. Just put them on a DCC track and run them as you would a DCC engine.

@Chuck K posted:

Tom, I can provide lots of advice on these topics having been through the journey of DCC in S scale.  But it will too much to type out here, especially since much will be dependent upon your desires. I am happy to schedule a call to discuss as I have done with others. You can email me at chuck7612@hotmail.com to set something up.

Thanks Chuck, I'm still at the prelim stage, but maybe leaning a bunch more will get me off my butt.  I will take you up on your offer.

Tom

@AmFlyer posted:

Tom, Legacy engines beginning with the ES44Ac in the 2013 American Flyer catalog are DCC enabled. Just put them on a DCC track and run them as you would a DCC engine.

Tom, if I had an engine at would do that, would I be stuck with the Legacy generic steam chuff?

Tom

All the features would stay the same, they are just accessed with a DCC system rather than a Legacy controller. Same steam chuff. Chuck can tell you about this, he has converted some of his Legacy engines to Kadee couplers and runs them on DCC.

Tom, just wondering, did you look at all at the Bluenami, with that you can use any DC power supply. I am looking at that because I have quite a few TMCC and Legacy locomotives. By adding an on board rectifier the Blunamis can be run on AC powered track together/  at the same time with the TMCC/Legacy engines.

Ray

@Rayin"S" posted:

Tom, just wondering, did you look at all at the Bluenami, with that you can use any DC power supply.

Ray

Ray, I haven't yet (though I did see Bluenami is a restaurant in CA).  I can say that I tend to shy away from 'new' systems.  For me, DCC is tried and true and will be around for a long time.

Okay, I did just give it a glance, they are partnered with  SoundTraxx which means the Tsunami sound chips... sound is my primary goal.  I don't know what to think of Bluetooth, but it might interfere with my hearing aids or other BT speakers around the house????  I'm not big on using a cell phone to run trains (mine is so old it has a rotary dial).  Bluemani also states their system is only good for 'small S-scale models.(????)

As you can tell, I have a lot to learn.  Is SoundTraxx a DCC system similar to NCE or DigiTrax?

Gad,

Tom SToltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Ray, I haven't yet (though I did see Bluenami is a restaurant in CA.)

I'm not big on using a cell phone to run trains (mine is so old it has a rotary dial). 

Tom SToltz

in Maine

...😊😊...

Mark in Oregon

Chuck, have you considered writing up your experiences and recommendations for an article in either the NASG Dispatch or S Scale Resource magazine? Your knowledge would be a great guide in those who would like to convert their American Models or American Flyer equipment from DC/TMCC to DCC with some assurance it would work. Your YouTube videos prove that conversions work and work well.

Terry O'Kelly

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Ray, I haven't yet (though I did see Bluenami is a restaurant in CA).  I can say that I tend to shy away from 'new' systems.  For me, DCC is tried and true and will be around for a long time.

Okay, I did just give it a glance, they are partnered with  SoundTraxx which means the Tsunami sound chips... sound is my primary goal.  I don't know what to think of Bluetooth, but it might interfere with my hearing aids or other BT speakers around the house????  I'm not big on using a cell phone to run trains (mine is so old it has a rotary dial).  Bluemani also states their system is only good for 'small S-scale models.(????)

As you can tell, I have a lot to learn.  Is SoundTraxx a DCC system similar to NCE or DigiTrax?

Gad,

Tom SToltz

in Maine

Tom,

Blunami is DCC, it just eliminates the requirement of having a DCC base unit. I have a number of American Models and S Helper locomotives, not one of those have drawn a full amp even on my grades. My largest AM diesel is the SD 60, I have a pair of those. The can motored S gauge engines with single motors just don't draw 1 amp. The Bluenami 220 is rated at 2 amps, most of the decoders being used in S gauge are rated at 2 amps.

You can go with what ever DCC system you like but eliminating having to purchase a base unit is a plus. I agree, not to hot on running trains from a cell phone but does seem to be where the hobby is headed.

Ray

Operating Blunami is a unique experience which will satisfy many seasoned modelers.

Plus one on Blunami.  If you are just getting started with DCC, you should really look at it.

Somewhere above I thought I read you wanted to run AC power.  If you don't want to look at rectifiers, then look at the Blunami predecessor BlueRail.

BlueRail runs AC or DC and you just add your favorite sound decoder.  You still use the Blunami app to control the engine.

Here is an Atlas O BlueRail running on AC track power along side a DCS and Legacy engine all on the same track.  I used a Soundtraxx Tsunami decoder for sound.

If you don't want to watch the whole thing, just skip to 2:47.

@Rayin"S" posted:

Tom,

Blunami is DCC, it just eliminates the requirement of having a DCC base unit.

Ray

My power source at present is a regulated, 13.8 VDC, 20 amp, power supply.  Will the Blunami work with that?  There must be some minimum voltage requirement for Blunami.

The layout I would like to use DCC with has 3 loops, the 20 amp power supply handles that with no problem.  What kind of power is a DCC base unit?  And why would I not want one?

Remember this is all new to me and it seems like there are too many choices.  I like simple, but I would also like sound.

Chuck and I are trying to coordinate a phone call that I hope will clear things up a bit.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

My power source at present is a regulated, 13.8 VDC, 20 amp, power supply.  Will the Blunami work with that?  There must be some minimum voltage requirement for Blunami.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

According to Soundtraxx...

@Ron045 posted:

According to Soundtraxx...

DCC Track Voltage:

7.5V – 22V

Ron, that is very interesting.  I can see I have a lot of reading to do.  I should ask is that volts DC?

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

@Tom Stoltz posted:

Ron, that is very interesting.  I can see I have a lot of reading to do.  I should ask is that volts DC?

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Guessing it must be since Blunami only works with DC.

BlueRail states that Blunami equipped engines can be consisted with DCC engines, if I am reading their literature correctly. If that is true, then Blunami will also work with DCC track power in addition to DC track power.

Since we are discussing high rail S gauge application, a word of caution. First, Blurail appears to be an excellent alternative for command control of American Models engines. However be aware that DC track power can damage the electronics of some TMCC and Legacy engines from Lionel. Check the specific instruction book for each engine prior to placing it on a DC powered track.

I’ve been reading about the Blunami system on the SoundTraxx website, nice sound samples.  I want to be about to run at least 3 engines at once, but I don’t think the 2 amps will be enough or is it the decoder is 2 amps so each engine would have 2 amps available?  Are there boosters for Blunami?

So, I would need a decoder for each engine – I think the decoder includes sound – and a speaker.  I guess a dealer would be able to tell me what else I would need, like plugs, connectors, and all the rest, if there is the rest.

Also looked at a couple of starter sets.  That are a number of getting started in DCC YouTube’s which I’ll look over through the next week.  I can say for my needs DC is fine other than not having sound, sound is my objective.  As an aside, Flyer Chief sound doesn't make it for me.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Here is an interesting review of Bulnami from Model Railroad Hobbyist, November issue:

https://online.fliphtml5.com/b...fzx/index.html#p=109

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Nice review, thanks for the link Tom. The product and DCC in general are impressive for their accuracy and customization. Its at this point I always appreciate what I have using the Legacy system and LCS. One wire to the layout, set the engine ID and away we go. I suppose that is just my personal priorities influencing my decisions.

One thing I did not see is provisions for the smoke unit control. Most of my diesels have fan driven smoke units, they draw about .5A. I know some steam engine DCC decoders are set up for this but I have never seen it mentioned in the Blunami literature.

Tom, I agree about the FlyerChief sounds. All mine have been retrofitted with TMCC/RS. Much better sound and better operation with 100 speed steps.

@AmFlyer posted:

Nice review, thanks for the link Tom. The product and DCC in general are impressive for their accuracy and customization. Its at this point I always appreciate what I have using the Legacy system and LCS. One wire to the layout, set the engine ID and away we go. I suppose that is just my personal priorities influencing my decisions.

I believe Blunami is similar, but I don't know first hand, yet.  In a conversation with Chuck, he seem impressed by the ease of set up.  What has been cleared up for me is the ability to run multiple trains.  I don't know how I'll take to an iPhone for control, I think I'd prefer a hand held throttle, though that would add a lot more expense.

One thing I did not see is provisions for the smoke unit control. Most of my diesels have fan driven smoke units, they draw about .5A. I know some steam engine DCC decoders are set up for this but I have never seen it mentioned in the Blunami literature.

Chuck could probably answer this better, but I think there are enough extra function wires to do pretty much anything.

Tom, I agree about the FlyerChief sounds. All mine have been retrofitted with TMCC/RS. Much better sound and better operation with 100 speed steps.

Tom Stoltz

in Maine

Thanks Tom. I phrased my smoke unit control point poorly. DCC controls smoke units and Chuck does that using decoders sourced from WOW in his engines. What I am wondering is does the Blunami software that runs on the iPhone actually render a smoke unit control function on the iPhone screen.

If you are following the long saga of Lionel's design of the new Legacy Base3 and its companion iCab3 App for the iPhone these type of software details are part of the complexity when there is no physical handheld.

Like you, I just do not like running trains with my iPhone. I have handhelds but the day is coming when I may need to switch. What I have tested is using an iPad Mini with one of the accessory knobs attached to the back. the knob allows the Mini to "stick to your hand" and the screen seems the right size to legibly display all the functions w/o needing reading glasses. For me this solution works. The iCab3 app will scale to that screen size. I do not know if the Blunami app will scale to an iPad Mini screen.

The Blunami doesn't put out enough enough amps to power the heating element in a smoke unit. You could have it turn a smoke units on an off via a relay that you would have to add. But the power would need to come from the track or possibly the motor contacts.

One of the advantages of the Blunami smart device app is that you can have simultaneous throttle display and speed control of several engines. This was also a feature of the earlier BlueRailTrains DCC module. The 2amp limit of the current Blunami will power smaller OGauge engines like the NW-2 and 44Tonner. I have done this several times with good results. The proposed 4amp version is most likely the best approach for heavier engines.