I am thankful for everyones help I am going to go with DCC now what else do I need to consider switches acc… what are recomendations on to purchase?
I am quite new into this, my username is my website with large amounts of brass ho that was my dads estate so just to clarify I am not that knowlegeable with this and am going to build a layout for myself and my boys. We have a room Approx size is 12x16 again thanks for all your help.
Well, of cource a DCC system [;)] then you’ll need some stationary decoders. I know Digitrax makes them so I’m sure the other DCC manufactures do also. As to the exact setup, I’m fairly new to DCC as well, but I’m sure Randy will answer all your questions( Randy has helped me and countless others with all dcc questions![^]) Welcome & best of luck!
Fred
Are you asking very basically, “How is it done?”. If so, here’s an article that gives a basic overview:
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/sta_dec_jungle.htm
If you’re asking about controlling them with DCC, you’ll need stationary decoders, and there are lots of options. Here’s a comparison between many of them:
http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/sta_dec_comparison.htm
Or are you asking about which turnouts to use with DCC, and how to set them up (if/when necessary)? If so, here are a couple places with lots of info:
http://home.neo.rr.com/mrwithdcc/
http://www.greenspun.com/bboard/q-and-a.tcl?topic=Wiring%20for%20DCC
Note that as with everything else, there is more than one way to accompli***he task at hand, and these resources may show or advocate a solution that isn’t the best for you.
For example, I use some Team Digital SRC8’s to power Tortoise switch machines, and the SRC8 isn’t even listed in the comparison. That’s probably because it’s more than just a switch-machine-driving stationary decoder, in the strictest sense of the term, but it makes sense for me to use them in my application.
Also, the “Jungle” article (the first link above) shows stationary decoders connected to the power buss before the “protection device”, but I power mine from an output of that protection device. After all, if you’re going to protect part of the booster’s output, why not protect it all? (Incidently, as another example of multiple solutions, they show a Power Shield, while I use a PM42.)
The bottom line is that there are many possible solutions, and opinions about all of them. You’re going to have to educate yourself about them and choose what works best for you. Hopefully this will help get you started.
Steve