DCC Pushing the Limits

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Just an interesting FYI:

On the new layout, I’ve got my logging branch laid - about 120’ of track.

I started dropping feeders from it, got about half-way round. “trigger finger” started to hurt, and I was just tired of soldering for the day… So thought I’d bag it.

Then, got a crazy urge to hook up the new NCE system and check the wireless out.

Slapped the first set of feeders into the system (20 ga. solid copper in staging area) and figured the loco would at least run a few yards either side of the feeder before signal fade/loss.

Set the wireless receiver on top of the benchwork - again, figuring it would pick up a signal at least there in the staging room…

Set it all up, put a loco on the tracks, put batteries in the throttle, cranked her up.

And away we go! All was well from the get-go. System performed flawlessly.

So then, I figure I’ll see how far the loco goes before the signal fades out… I ran it out of the staging area, and sent it on its way around a 120’ loop of track.

No problems. Went all the way 'round… off one set of 20ga. feeders yet!

So then I figure I’ll really push it and see how my wireless throttle signal is (given that the antenna is just sitting on the benchwork in staging, not properly hooked up).

So around the loco goes again, with me following this time, constantly fiddling the speed and setting off sounds.

Again, no problem.

Mind you, I have feeders every 6’ and every intention of running a full bus. I also will be mounting the receiver from the ceiling near the center of the layout. But it certainly removed most (if not all) of my DCC signal/wireless throttle worries! If I can run the sucker off 2, 20ga. wires and a receiver shoved in the corner of a separate room… That’s a good thing!

2

DCC is a ball. I learn something new about my digitrax system every day

3

kchronister,

That’s good news to hear. [tup] I’m enjoying (and learning more about) my NCE PowerCab. Had a friend over trying it out on Saturday. I thought he wasn’t going to give it back. [:)]

I sent him home with the Bachmann to play around on his layout. He may be spoiled after playing around with the PowerCab first.

Tom

4

kchronister,
You’ve proven the theory that we model railroaders over-build too much, over-think too much, over-engineer too much and over-worry too much… sometimes we should just hook up two wires and run trains. [:)]

5

I have the NCE PowerHouse Pro Radio set and testing revealed that it has a range of approximately 30 feet, even through walls. It operates on a frequency of 916.5 MHz, which is described in the documentation as an Industrial, Scientific, and Medical frequency.

One weird thing about the system is that NCE must have taken lessons from Microsoft – “to turn on the wireless throttle, press ‘Emergency Stop’.” Just like you click on ‘START’ to turn off your computer.

6

I’ve seen an NCE wireless throttle run on our club system, over 100 ft, with the antenna sitting on top of an unseniced corner module. Typically, our modular layout runs 60x100 ft at shows.
Not too shabby!!

7

Ironically, if you search for “over-build” you’ll probably find several posts from me. I definitely subscribe to the theory myself - though mostly you’ll hear me talking about it re: benchwork.

Bear in mind, this situation was on newly-laid track, with brand-new full-strength batteries in the throttle. No time for temperature shifts to wiggle things loose, joiners to loosen up, batteries to get ‘aged in’, etc. I’m still going to run a bus and drop feeds from the track to the bus as a matter of dealing with the “issues over time” thing - especially since some of this track will be significantly harder to reach once I get the whole thing done.

But I certainly agree that the whole “if you don’t feed each individual section of track from a 10-ga. wire bus your trains won’t even run” thing can get overblown…

8

You are so right! We build benches like we were going to put 100 lb drill presses on them, and then put enough wire in them to wire an entire house!

Apparently all those thin telephone lines never studied physics.

9

All;

The reason for low resistance buss wires is not for just one locomotive, it is needed when running multiple trains, especially lighted passenger trains.

10

Just what I thought, we’re over designing and over building most of the components. However, if it doesn’t cost a lot more money, doesn’t take a lot more time, and you know that you’re going to have smooth operation 99.999% of the time - it’s probably worth it.

11

Kchronsiter,

It’s great that you posted this thread.

Over the past 2 years a few newbies have posted concerns that DCC is “too complicated” and takes a lot of extra effort to incorporate into even a simple layout.

Good to see that your experience has shown that it’s the complete opposite! (reassures me as well).

Thanks![:D][8D]

12

Kchronister

Are you using insulfrog or electrofrog turnouts? Also what brand?

Thanks

Larry

13

Atlas customline (insulfrog).

Have always used Atlas without problems. Tried some Walthers, and didn’t find 'em worth the extra money. Higher priced stuff just wasn’t realistic, so never tried them – I have about 120-odd turnouts on the layout, so you start talking $5-10 more per turnout and it can really add up for me where it might not matter much for someone with a more turnout-modest setup.

14

Absolutely! It was literally an afterthought as I ended my work session… “Oh, heck, let’s give it a shot”… 4 wires (in from power, out to track), 4 batteries and about 5 minutes later… I was going.

15

Wow!!! That’s a ton of turnouts. I couldn’t imagine wiring that many.

Larry