Wow, what a pile of info. Nice to see. I also am new to this hobby and am scrapping my layout and building a new one. I want to go dcc. My question, do I still need to divide up into blocks or just power up the track. Thanks
Larry,
I have a webpage discussing the wiring of a small layout for DCC:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/wiring/
and a DCC control bus using common phone components from home improvement stores at:
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/4x8/dcc/
Hope that helps some
Harold
no need for blocks, you just wire up the track. on a small simple oval usually just the two leads are ok, but it is suggested every three feet to drop leads from the track down to a power line runing the entire length of the track (power lead being 12-14 gauge, leads being 18-22 gauge)
Larry-
As “SteamerFan” and “Harold” are correct and have provided some great input there is a benefit to still having blocks on a DCC layout (only the mainline really). The benefit is signaling, it makes block detection SO simple by having blocks, that and you can have the block detection trip not only the signals but also lights on a dispatcher board. This is for doing block detection through the track.
If your going to do block detection by other means, such as optical light sensors, then there is no need for blocks at all.
Technically Dano, you’re not blocking in DCC for signals, as your only gapping 1 rail, leaving the other as a common line.
the only thing close to blocking with DCC is is multiple power districts (when you need more power supplies due to exceeded the amp of one), whuich is rare on home layouts as most people won’t be running the 10-12 loco’s to max out one 5 amp supply, even a 2.5 amp supply will do for most as it can handle 5-6 loco’s.
Techically your right, I just reffer to them as blocks because that is what they are concidered. However, on our club layout we gap both rails due the way the guy that did the signals wired them (I think this is left over from when the layout was DC, dunno before my time there)
Sorry for the termanology confusion Larry.
It is useful to have some electrical blocks in a DCC layout for troubleshooting. If you have a yard, you may want to separate it.
It’s handy to have switches in the power supply to cut off segments of the layout. We found this out when one person was running trains and another was doing track repairs and shorting the whole thing out every so often.
Thanks a lot guys. It is sure nice to get good honest responses .Some questions might sound a bit petty to you experienced guys but to us greenhorns it is very helpful. Thanks…