Hey, what’s the difference between dcc on bored and dcc ready and such?? Does it have something to do with the price or decOders? I run dc right now. Am hoping to someday go to dcc.
Generally speaking it means the following:
- “DCC on board” or “DCC-equipped” = Locomotive comes pre-installed with a decoder from the factory
- “DCC-ready” = Locomotive comes prewired (ready) for a customer-installed decoder (Exception: Proto 2000 S1/S3 switcher - Says it’s DCC-ready on the box but the motor brushes are NOT isolated from the frame.)
Tom
Further to the above, if I’ve got it right, Bachmann often uses the terminology “DCC on Board” to indicate a DCC decoder for other than sound DCC (motor, don’t know about light control) and then uses “Sound Value” to indicate a DCC decoder with motor plus sound, requiring a more expensive decoder plus the speaker. An additional detail is the Bachmann Sound Value can include a DCC sound decoder (e.g., a Tsunami) with fewer features than, for instance, a retail Tsunami, getting them a cheaper than full feature Tsunami to keep the price point down. For instance, I purchased a Bachmann Sound Value Mogul for about $109.
Note that DCC models can be set for a 8 or 9 pin decoder and may or may not intentionally provide space to mount a speaker without modification. For instance, I bought a DC Kato RS-2 that was DCC ready and put a motor only decoder in it as speaker install in that one is a challenge and for my first attempt wanted to do something simple.
Also note that locos not DCC ready can require measures to isolate the motor from the frame, etc. Others can explain issues about lighting.
Thank you Tom! Nice layout btw!! I love NYC.
Thank you Paul! I appreciate the info! It’s really helpful!!
There are other exceptions too. “DCC ready” is a pretty loose term. From bachmann board that you CAN plug a decoder into, but run poorly until you “neuter” them, to uninsulated motor brushes that will fry a decoder, provided you can get them to program, to some Proto engines that you pratically have to crush the decoder to get the “plug & play” decoder in, DCC installs can be a crap shoot.[banghead]
My best advice is to not trust the manufacturers. They don’t talk to one another. Get a Digital volt & continuity meter, and learn how to use it. Or go with a manufacturer like TCS that offers a “goof proof” warranty.
Afte a few hundred installs, my meter and a little modeling clay (for checking clearances) have saved quite a few decoders and left me with the feeling that “plug & play” is another oxymoron, like pretty ugly, jumbo shrimp and known secret.[:-^]
The price of decoders installed is usually results in higher priced locos. Here is a great primer tutorial on DCC:
http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips.htm
ANd to futher what peahrens has said :
Bachmann has a GREAT Selection of “DCC OnBoard” locos which have a Decoder already installed that will only operate the lights, the speed and the direction.
The have “DCC Sound OnBoard” locos which have a decoder installed that controls lights, speed direction and “sounds like a loco” sounds too.
Bachmann has sometimes both in a regular loco format and in their “spectrum” format { better details, better “quality” loco.
Their regular format DCC locos are less expensive than the Spectrum locos, and sometimes the Spectrum loco become the regular format.
Bachmann also has a great customer Service policy too, I have not had to use it though with my 14 Bachmann locos- all “DCC OnBoard”, some Spectrum, some not.
Bachmann Offers great value for a fair price.
" DCC Ready" as pointed out is a relatively lo