I was just browsing around and read this:
“DCC decoders that conform to NMRA standards have the ability to operate under normal DC power.”
Is that true? I know BLI and some other locos will operate DC or DCC, but I thought that was a ‘special feature’… Will any old decoder-equipped loco do it???
kchronister,
I guess the key words here are “have the ability to operate”. That doesn’t mean that they will or are set up to. It just means that that capacity is a viable option for a decoder manufacturer, if they should so choose to implement it.
The current decoders have (i.e. QSI, dual, etc.) and future decoders will have this capability. That will help bridge the gap for those who financially won’t be making the leap to DCC because of the plethora of locomotives they have but would still like to purchase a particular DCC-ready locomotive to have that option. So, it may be a “special feature” now, but I think it will become more common place as more and more DCC-equipped locomotives are manufactured.
As far as older decoder-equipped locomotives are concerned: Unless the older decoder is a dual decoder, it won’t run on a regular DC layout.
Tom
There are several decoder manufacturers that have provide for DC operation. BLI, obviously, Digitrax, TCS, Lenz and even Bachmann! The decoders have to be programmed for DC operation, but the default settings usually allow for this. New Soundtraxx Tsunami decoders and MRC ‘Brilliance’ sound decoders also have the dual capability. The older ones do not. There are probably more out there, but the above are the ones I use and know about.
The HO-scale Master line of locos from Atlas also have dual-mode decoders installed… It’s set to run on DC by default. To enable DCC one has to set a jumper.
Hope this helps!
The ‘dual mode’ decoders will operate on DC if jumpered for DCC. The jumper to DC cuts out the DCC circuit so you do not have to move the throttle up so far before the engine moves.
Jim Bernier