Hi, I have PowerCab and am curious which layout switches you all use, especially if your using Powercab. Do you have to stick with the NCE stuff?
I’m not sure what you mean by “layout switches.”. Do you mean static decoders for turnouts? Most DCC stuff can be used on any system. I use Switch-its on my Lenz system.
You don’t have to control your turnouts with DCC throttles, either. I find old-fashioned toggles on a control panel are actually preferable.
Could you be a little more specific? Are you asking about which track switches (turnouts) people use or are you asking about electrical switches?
Good luck,
Richard
This is similar to your Digikejis thread.
http://cs.trains.com/mrr/f/744/t/279162.aspx
Sometimes it’s best just to let the thread run and take it in a different direction if you choose. You can even re-title it. It saves having to explain all over again what you are trying to do.
ok, I have PowerCab, and though I will use toggles or push buttons to switch the track switches at turnouts, I would also like to incorporate them into my dcc, either with the NCE switch 8 or Digikeijs switch module. Is one better than the other and can both, I assume, be used with tortoise switches?
Both run Tortoises. The Digikeijs device does not have an option for toggles or pushbuttons. The Switch-8 has the Button Board which allows toggles or pushbuttons in addition to the DCC control. ANd if you have places where there aren’t 8 Tortoises all together, there is the Swith-It, which controls 2.
–Randy
ok cool, that helps make that decision. I want to use the tortoises but incorporate them with the switch-it or switch 8, like you said depending on how many are together. In this case the tortoise is wired to the switch-it, which of course is then run to the powercab? In looking at videos online kinda seems complicated but im sure its not?
Make sure the circuit board you choose includes the option for panel toggles. Those that don’t are cheaper. I have a couple of the cheaper ones, and one of these days I might upgrade.
The circuit board does go to the Tortoise, and I think to the track bus. I believe some of them can also be fed external power to drive the turnouts. You would need another set of wires for external power, and yet another set for toggles, if used.