DCC v. DCS v. Legacy - Help?

Here are a couple options for you.  Personally, I like to find as much "off the shelf" as possible limiting how much opportunity I have to blow something up.  That being said, here is a link to one of ESU's DCC decoders, the Loksound XL 4 http://www.esu.eu/en/products/...sound-xl-v40/ , which is specifically designed for larer gauges up to 4 amps continuous and 5 intermittant and their sound library of American engines http://www.esu.eu/en/downloads...-4/loksound-v40-usa/ (if you don't see what you need there, there is a gentleman here in the US working to get folks what they need).  Also, I just saw this in O Scale Trains Mag... www.protocraft.com has modified a Tsunami decoder for O Scale up to 3.5 amps.  Both of these decoders will control both motor, sound and lighting effects for you. I'd one of these before I go rigging something up.  There are a couple other O DCC decoders available out there, I just don't recall them off the top of my head.

Chris

Awh, your killin me!....they've got the 1:1 gear drives and in the tower section they show a Z-1 truck with it, then I found they have decals for the Y-1....I started a Y-1 in G scale eons ago but lost it in the flood of '96{many other things too-ugh!}...the build never left my head, maybe it's time to drop a scale size and go O this time! Thanks for that Procraft link...think it'll be very helpful!!!!!

Chris, that 1st Lok link was a 404..maybe it'll work later...the 2nd one reminded me that my precisioncraft goose{on30} has a Loksound unit....the minor problem I saw with lok was having to have the "added installer"...although...last I strolled thru Lok's sounds I spied a VW{under the german engines as I recall-hey, I was listening to everything}...really...and that would make a great gas driven sound for a small rail truck.

Thanks again!...this is why I'm here..hopefully I can pay back what I've learned... 

Hi,

Sorry about that, one too many characters in the link, here it is again...  http://www.esu.eu/en/products/...ound/loksound-xl-v40  I know ESU has another decoder that can do as well, I believe it is the straight v4.0.  

Yep, you can use the European sounds also for many things.  For example, I am going to upgrade an Atlas AEM - 7 with a Loksound v4 and will be using the sounds from the Swedish Rc4 that the AEM-7 is a variant of until I can get an AEM-7 recording.   Many model train motors don't have the draw the they used to, especially with LED's taking over.  

Chris

I'll guess you have the Lok sound installer box?

Hi,

I did spring for the LokProgrammer and decoder tester but, that is because I knew I was going to refitting several vehicles with DCC (I do a lot of traction modeling, so almost all of my vehicles are powered) and I wanted them all to have Railcom, which is built in to the Loksound decoders, which allows for feedback from the train/trolley etc and it tells the command station who it is and  allows you to tell the vehicle exactly where to stop and other things via software without complex block signal wiring, relays etc.

So for me, it made sense because I already had over 12 vehicles lined up to work with when I bought it that I planned to convert.  It is my understanding that  programmer will work with other brands of decoders but, I have not tried this myself. There was talk about this earlier today in th ESU group on Yahoo earlier today.

I am a big believer in "open source" tech.  I don't want to be locked in to any one manufacturer's hardware, even ESU.  Which is partly why I went with them for a command station.  Their products are heavily software based and are updated by the company via the web, which means less likelihood of being out moded in the near future.  Right now, they are pretty much on the bleeding edge of train tech but, who knows in the future. But all of the DCC systems have the same basic components, even though the manufacturers call them different names... Command Station; Power Booster (often included in the starter command station of an add on for larger power needs); DCC Decoder Programmer; DCC Stationary Decoder (switches and accessories); DCC Decoder (for motorized units); Occupancy Detector/Reader; Feedback Module.  The manufacturers all use different names and it confuses the heck out of folks, it did me when I first went over but, once you realize it is all the same basic building blocks, just different flavors, you can better compare the systems and capabilities.  Me, I am a minimalist.  I wan the least amount of clutter, boxes, wiring etc to run it all which is why I lean towards the computer control end of things.

I hope that helps.

- Chris

Sounds like you needed the programmer with all those...Me, not yet.

I like the "minimal" aspect as well.

Wondering today...to get a better grade DCC board for O scale....what are my options on controller{s}...don't suppose the dynamis could handle the task with a booster...or two?

Trying to see what lies ahead of me to get things running in DCC..capable engines{can motor-non AC type}, remote boards and controllers.

....oh yeah, switches are a possible problem in DCC?

Hi,

I would start small, I am not familiar with the Dynamis system but, with others I know you can add "boosters" as your power needs grow.  I would check with the manufacturer online and see what its expansion capabilities are before you spend money on a new system.  The key will be, how many locos do you plan on running simultaneously on DCC?  That will allow you gauge roughly how much power you will need and how many DCC addresses (engines, switches etc) the command station will need to be able to handle.  It may turn out the Dynamis is fine for a while.  

Any DC engine can be run on DCC.  The "decoder" circuit board is placed between the power source and the motor electrically and it is the brain that tells the engine what, when and how to do things.  Many engines now come "DCC ready" just plug the chip in or have the local hobby shop install it.  But, many now come with DCC already built in. If you are looking at buying a new engine, I would consider getting one with DCC factory installed,  it keeps things simple starting out.

Switches; depends on what you currently have and how they currently run. Some swiches, you just wire the "stationary decoder" between the power source and the switch, just like engines and it takes over interpreting signals from the command station.  It really depends on your particular situation.  The above is the ideal situation for you. It focus on basic engine running first before powering and automatic control of switches. Manual switches work fine with DCC.

Chris

Chris, I've got just the guinee pig engine to try, a few actually...I've got an RMT Beep and 2 Beefs {A&B..plus dummy A} that would be nice to have full command and sounds on 3 rail. They take DC or AC as it is and have dual can motors on each chassis. I'll try one to start...

Oh oh...novice DCC'er here...I've got a Tsunami board for one of my HO bachmann "DCC on board" On30 kitabashes{new diesel body in O scale} and "that one" is easy due to having one motor...how do I wire for DCC with "two motors on one chassis"?... both board "Motor pos/neg" pair split to both motors...right?

Hmmm, web searching "O scale DCC" and found this...cheap but shows no amp limit, but designated as O/G scale with multiple diesel sounds...1 1/2 speaker would be a tad big for my liking in the donor RMT Beef...maybe it'll fit....What do ya think Chris?

Here's a simple one but interesting reading none the less..."brass wipers"...and to think I used to use spread out paper clips on the G scale stuff eons ago...hey, low-tech worked!

http://siliconvalleylines.com/.../OSW2010DccIntro.pdf

Found out along the way it seems Weaver is getting into O scale DCC...that's good to know!

Hi Bob,

Sorry for the delayed response.  Yes, Silicon Valley Lines has lots of good info there and they've been doing it for a long time.  I like how they boiled down the gobbledy goop in to easy to understand language for folks.  I do think O gauge/scale will eventually go DCC.  Especially as the technology improves and becomes easier to use.  You already see it with MTH including DCC in its Premier engines and now Weaver.

How did the RMT decoder install go?

Chris