If I put a small DCC unit (I’m thinking Bachmann EZ Command, since I’m not heavily into the hobby and have only a 3 by 5 n scale setup) on my little layout, which now uses Atlas Selectors and reversers with DC common rail wiring, will it be alright to simply flip all the Atlas switches to one cab or the other and plug in the DCC at the start of it all, where one of the current power pack is? On this small layout, I can’t imagine higher DCC voltage or whatever will be a problem. What do you think? I run only two trains at once, and don’t care to run more. It’s just for fun.
To my knowledge, The atlas Selectors uses the Common Rail method of wiring. My knowledge of DCC is that it is not save to use common rail. Wich might mean they might need to be replaced with a set of connectors. One for the DCC and the other for the power pack. The "Twin for controling reverse sections will be fine. Just hook the DCC up to that like you would with DC.
James
It wouldn’t be too hard to do what SofBSB said, but I agree that taking that way out would be much better. If you could, but you can’t. I use the same system for my medium sized HO layout, and I really want to convert to DCC, but the wiring would need a lot of changing, plus the cost, and the thought of not being able to not run trains for a few days make it a very tempting, but hard option.
Good luck either way, and Welcome!
Matthew
The short answer is, yes. I have used this scheme in the past because at one time I had 4 “cab” positions that were DC, PFM Sound, Railcommand, and DCC. To run any particular system I just flipped all the blocks to that position, BUT …
BUT 1. You have to use a totally separate power supply for the DCC unit than anything else on the whole layout. If you don’t, best case is it won’t work. Worst case is things fry.
BUT 2. If you ever goof and a locomotive runs a block crossing a DC block to DCC block several things can fry.
BUT 3. If you ever goof and don’t flip all the blocks to the DCC setting then #2 can happen.
So if you want to do this I would recommend completely disconnecting the regular DC power packs. Better yet, if you go DCC you don’t need all those selectors anyway. Just disconnect them and hook up the DCC directly. Running two trains with it will be much more fun then flipping selector switches. Worst case is that you use channel zero for DC locomotives. The reversers can easily be replaced by automatic DCC units. Also much more fun than having to remember the exact moment to flip the switch.
Thanks, Wind River and Great White North. I find the selectors not that much of a bother. May just stick with the old 1950’s system. It works. Sounds like a hassle of time and money to change. I appreciate your thoughts.
Thanks, Colorufl Colorado. If I disconnect the DC selector, won’t I have a DCC problem because of those silly plastic rail joiners in the old common rail scheme?
On a small layout with only a single DCC booster, having common rail wiring isn’t really a problem. You can certainly connect the DCC to one cab input of the selectors, flip all the switches, and leave it alone. No sense making things more complicated than they need to be. Save the complete rewiring for the next layout - ie, build it with DCC in mind and don’t use common rail.
–Randy
I do think that if you want DCC and have enough money, you should get it. I have 1 of the 2 required ptions right now, but I am saving my pennies (ooh, a BLI SD40-2 w/sound!) uh oh, there goes my funds…
Matthew