PLEASE I NEED HELP WOULD ANY ONE GIVE ME A LIST OF ALL!!!THE DCC TERMS i AM SO CONFUSED OF THE DCC STUFF!!!
Your first stop on the Web should be Tony’s Trains at http://www.tonystrains.com to look through all of his information. He has a downloadable article (PDF format) that explains DCC for Beginners like yourself. I found it very helpful when I was starting out. Tony is a very highly regarded mail-order house as well. I’ve ordered from him, and I’m very satisfied with everything, including the prices.
One thing I’ve noticed in the posts about “Which DCC System Should I Buy,” which come up pretty often, is that everybody is happy with their DCC system, regardless of which one it is. In general, you won’t be disappointed in any of them, particularly if you’re just starting out with a small layout.
And last, let me be the first to say that you’re making the right decision by going to DCC. It is SO much better to run the trains than to run the track. Welcome aboard.
I dont think anybody could list ALL of the terms without missing some. Could you give us a list of what you are confused about?
Welcome to the forums. Just a small suggestion, could you not capitalize all your letters? It just makes it a bit difficult to understand and help you. One thing I highly recommend is that you take a look at the Dec 2005 ( current) issue of MR. I think many fo your questions will be answered there. There are a few basic components to a DCC system. I’ll go in order from Wall Outlet to the Locomotive. First there is a transformer, like any power pack. It converts 110-V electricity to low voltage ( I don’t remember the number, somethin like 12). Then, there is the Command Station. It is ther nucleus of your system. It takes the signals from your throttle and sends them to your locomoitves, etc etc etc. ( More on throttles and decoders next). The throttle is how you control your decoders in your locomotives and accessories. You administer speed, functions ( such as lighting and if you choose, sound) with your throttle. Decoders are what take the electric signal from the command station and throttle and do what the throttle told it to do. The most common type of decders are locomotive decders that control the locomtoives moptor and functions. There are also stationary decders that you can use to run stationary things like turnouts.
DCC is a bit confusing ( I am still completely confused, heck, I don’t even have a DCC system) but with time you will understand it.
Best of luck from another 13 year old
Yoshi,
For being “still completely confused” about DCC, you have a good handle on it and did a VERY nice job describing it for elrod. [tup] I wish I had had the verbal skills you possess when I was your age.
elrod,
Yoshi is right. You really need to lower your voice “to small caps”. It makes you come across as binary.
Okay, with that said, MisterBeasley’s suggestion is a good one to you elrod. Go to Tony’s Train Exchange (http://www.tonystrains.com) and click on the “DCC For Beginners!” link. I
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
t does a very good job of explaining DCC in understandable terms. Take your time and reread sections if you need to. Most of us who have DCC systems are STILL learning DCC…so keep learning [:)]
Tom
Elrod , I’m sure you are not alone, remember, if you are conversing about all the goofy terminology associated with ships, just make sure you are talking to a sailor, no one else will have the slightest clue what you are talking about, DCC is a technocrats nightmare, if you can understand any of the terms you don’t need help, If I buy a piece of so-called sophisticated electronic wizardry it better take 30 seconds to install and operate with only 5 buttons.
DCC Terms…mmmmm… let’s see… Sorry the ones I know aren’t printable.
I love my DCC but there are times…[:-^]
Fergie
THANK YOU GUYS