I know next to nothing about DCC so this may be a silly question. How many cabs can you have with the E-Z Command system and how do you add a cab if you have bought the basic set? I had a fellow in the local hobby shop asking me questions about N scale. He was just getting started. I could answer his questions until DCC came up. I’m still DC so I couldn’t tell him much. How hard is it to install a decoder into the N scale Bachmann Consolidation? On the package it said DCC ready.
Bachmann has a bunch of stuff in their catalog but I do not know if any of it made production. There is something called the walk around companion and connector panels that will allow multiple controllers and access points. I like my EZ Command system but will be the first to tell you it is not for everyone. There has been a lot of conversation on this forum about it’s pros and cons. For a first time system I think it is great. It lets you try DCC without a whole lot of money being spent. As for putting a decoder in a loco it all depends. I suggest going to this link.
They have several installation pictures and how to’s. A couple other good links are.
http://www.tonystrains.com/ and http://www.loystoys.com/
RMax1
Check Model Railroader’s December DCC Buyer’s Guide –
Bachmann’s E-Z Command is the cheapest of the cheap DCC systems, so it’s a simple case that you get what you pay for.
WVHagan,
Bachmann EZ Command system is a good, basic, no-frills DCC system but limited in what it can do. With the current EZ Command, you can NOT add another cab to it. However, Bachmann has stated that with their new accessories coming out, this will be an option. They are planning a 5-amp booster, controller add-on, reverse-loop and turnout decoder. The current EZC is only 1-amp max. output.
As far as N-scale locomotives, being about half the size of HO, it will be a challenge if neither the decoder or locomotive is PNP (Plug-N-Play).
Tom
Maybe I’m not understanding, but if you can not have more than one cab on the Bachmann DCC set up, what’s the point? I thought the whole point of DCC was being able to run more trains realistically without electrical blocks. If you can only have one cab, how is that much better than having one powerpack with one electrical block on a DC layout? If I am out in left field with this, please forgive me. A DCC system with multiple cabs makes all kinds of sense and I can imagine how great that would be. You would be running trains as opposed to running electrical blocks. Thanks and maybe I just don’t get the point of DCC.
you got the point alright . bachmann makes a very basic entry level system , and you can run more than 1 train on your track with it (as you can with any DCC system) . now they have announced an add-on walk-around controller so you can have multiple operators running those trains , adding to the usefulness of their system . hopefully , when they actually ship the units , someone here will write a review .
I think what Bachmann was going for was the nitch market of what I call the in between crowd. As it is now, you kinda have the Tyco-Christmas-Tree group or you got the full on DCC set up with NCE or LENZ or somehting. That is a big gap to jump when getting into DCC.
With the Bachman, you can get the DCC fun with a small setup either as a real part timer who sets up everynow and then with your EZ snap track on the dining room table or maybe a great starter set for the kiddo and his little brother. Super easy, with few functions to confuse and yes, cheap. So you can dabble with out being broken. For what it is intended, I think it is good idea. Now they are proably adding to it now as you have a bucnh of folks out there that have it, want to go bigger, but like the system.
Your not out in left feild. Well, only a little. There are some systems now, and more coning who have only one user ability. They are ment for the small layouts, or Lone Wolfers, or folks who want to test the club stuff at home. And also, same reasons as stated as above. But, most systems will allow a lot of cabs to be used. Most come with postions for 4 right out of the box, and can be expanded. The bigger systems can go up to 99 (or more, not sure) cabs for the big club layouts.
John “Not a DCC exepert” K
[quote]
QUOTE: Originally posted by ereimer
WVHagan,
That’s okay. Yes, you have one DCC “cab” (called a command station) or throttle but you can run several decoder-equipped locomotives with just the one command station.
Let me see if I can make DCC a little more clearer to you. DCC-equipped locomotives (i.e. those that have a decoder installed in them) are given a particular address by what’s called the “command station”. The command station is the heart of your DCC system and communicates the command signal that will be sent to your locomotives “decoder” or receiver.
When you want to tell the locomotive what to do, you press a button or call up the number assigned to that locomoitve, input your command (e.g. accelerate, stop, slow down, change directions, etc.) and away it goes. Only the locomotive assigned to that paticular address will obey the command given it. All other locomotives will ignore the command. Does that make a little more sense?
For example, let’s say on my Bachmann EZ Command station (pictured below), I want to move Locomotive #5 out of the way so that Locomotive #2 can move out onto the mainline.
Be pres
Thanks! I finally got the picture! I really appreciate this forum. With the E-Z Command system you can issue separate comands to two or more different locomotives so you do not need one cab for each independent train, as you do in DC. It makes sense. Just one more question. Can the two trains be running in opposite directions?
You got it! [tup] And - Yes! - you can have BOTH locomotives going in the opposite directions, just like the real protoypes. [:)] You can even program them to run together in tandem (in the same direction, of course), called consisting or MUing. Basically, you program both locomotives to the same address and they respond as one locomotive. Cool, huh!?!
Tom
Tom,
Your description above was about the best down and dirty explanation of DCC I’ve seen!
WVHagan
Yup, cornfield meets are possible with DCC!! Make sure you know where the “Emergency Stop” button is!!!
Thanks for the encouragement, Dave. I’ve never been particularly gifted at explaining things well so I’m glad it made sense. You right on with the “Emergency Stop” suggestion. Kinda like the “backspace” key or the “undo” button on our computers. [:)]
WVHagan,
I just want to reiterate that the Bachmann EZ Command system is a limited DCC system. It won’t have all the “bells and whistles” and accessiblity that a more sophisticated DCC system will have. What the EZC has going for it is that it’s a simple, no-frills, inexpensive way of getting your feet wet with DCC. I only paid $53 for my unit. (It regularly goes for $100 list.) I already knew what I was and wasn’t getting before I bought the unit.
Eventually one day I’ll splurge and buy a DCC system where I can adjust the CVs or configuration variables. This will allow me to change and adjust things like the startup voltage, play around and tweak the momemtum and breaking so that my locomotives will behave even more prototypically. The Bachmann command station doesn’t allow you to do that. The CVs are preprogrammed or preset. Again, it’s a limited system but does have the following:
-
Emergency Stop button
-
Speed control knob
-
Direction button [< >]
-
10 Address buttons: 9 DCC-equipped locomotives; 1 non-DCC locomotive
-
Function button (used in conjuncton with address buttons) - This will allow you to:
- Turn locomotive headlights on and off (F10)
- 1/2 speed (F6) - useful for switchers
- Access some sound effects features (i.e. bells, whistles, toots, etc.) on a sound decoder.
-
1-amp maximum output: That’ll run about 2-3 newer locomotives similtaneously
WVHagan, make sure you figure out what you want to accomplish with DCC before deciding on a particular system. Tony’s Train Exchange has a nice comparison matrix for comparing some of the systems
Tom, I would like to echo Dave’s comments. You did a particularly fine job of that.
It must be difficult for those who are familiar with DC and block control, with one cab per loco. Their experience doesn’t let them grasp the concept to two locomotives on the same track doing completely different things…just as if they had little elves in them.
Crandell!
[gulp!]…You mean…they DON’T?!? [:O]
Tom
Urp!? [:-^][D)] Uh, what I meant to say was that the little elves feel slighted if we DCC guys don’t give them credit. Yeah, that’s it…credit. [:-^][yeah][:I]
Tom, you mentioned that on the EZC system you have 10 address buttons, one being for a non-DCC locomotive. Can you use older DC locomotives on a DCC layout? I originally asked about the EZC system because I didn’t like being so uninformed. My largest impediment to going to DCC is that I have many older Nscale engines. I won’t even consider trying to convert an N scale engine to DCC. For one reason, there is almost no extra room in an N scale deisel. Taking them out of service is as unthinkable as trying to butcher them to possibly fit in a decoder. So, are you saying that DCC systems have a mode in which you can run your DC locomotives, in essence giving you the choice of a one block DC layout or a DCC layout, just not both at the same time? If that were true, converting to DCC becomes far more attractive.
It looks like that Digitrax Zephyr system may be the way go, assuming you can still run DC locomotives. What sounded really cool was that you could incorporate your older power packs to act as extra cabs. If, and I mean IF, you can still run in DC mode with one block…now that is DANGEROUSLY tempting!
WVHagan,
Yep, you can run both DC and DCC locomotives simultaneously on the same track. However, the DC locomotive is going to emit a somewhat annoying “buzz” while it is doing it. It won’t harm the DC locomotive at all but you should be careful about leaving any DC locomotives sitting “idle” for long periods of time on your layout using a DCC system. After a long while, non-decoder locomotives start to heat up and some say that it may eventually cook your locomotive’s engine.
Yes, the Digitrax Zephyr is a terrific starter system that is expandible and, as you stated, can incorporate up to 2 DC cabs as extra throttles. And…keep those old transformers around, as they will also come in handy for running your accessories - e.g. like lighting and switches. That will keep you from robbing any precious power from your command station.
The Zephyr also has (or you can get) a RG-232 port for connecting the Zephyr to your computer. Used in conjunction with a software program called DecoderPro, this can be handy for storing your CV settings for your various locomotives. It can also be used to run a signal system - if you should like to go that route. You can’t go too wrong with the Zephyr. It has a lot of pluses to it.
WVHagan, looks like you may be in up to your neck now…the current is getting swift…we’ve thrown you the “DCC life preserver”…Are you going to grab it??? [:)]
Hey, I forgot to mention that N-scale locomotives generally use less power than HO so you will have more juice to run more locomotives. Since your locomotives are older though, they will draw more power than the current N locomotives that are now on the market.
Tom
Well, I expect I will probably convert to DCC. It is just that for now I have some other goals for my layout/trains first. I have more rolling stock to add to the roster (cars and cabeese, cabooses). As more DCC ready locomotives come out, that will help alot. I may change my purchasing to DCC ready locos only in preparation for the big switch. Yep, it now seems inevitable that I will switch. And I had promised myself to never open that (DCC) can of worms. Never say never. Now all I need is more time, patience and money.
WV,
Have you been inside my head? I was pretty much a “gonna stay DCC” guy, but after a year of reading what a revolution (as opposed to evolution) DCC is I decided to go for it. I then spent several months reading the various threads and posts here seeing that the pros and cons were of the various systems and seriously looking at what I want out of a system (I think this is the hardest!) and then balancing that against what I can afford and how much it would cost to change systems if I didn’t like my original choice.
Needless to say, this “DC is king” guy just received his Prodigy Express in the mail yesterday and am waiting for a couple of decoders!