decoder meanings

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

I would appreciate someone answering the following questions as I am new to the subject.

  1. What is a dual mode decoder?

  2. What is a DCC decoder(does this apply only to the motive power of an engine)?

3.What is DCC ready and can you run a DCC ready engine on both a DC & a DCC layout?

4.Do you need DCC to have sound ?

  1. Can you recommend a good book on the subject

Thank you for your answers.

2

You’re welcome!

Don Z.

3

Some additional info:

  1. Digitrax DCC systems can operate a single DC loco along with DCC locos. Some folks use that ability and like it. However, some folks (myself included) don’t like the way it works and turn off that ability in both their DCC command station and their decoders in order to prevent potential problems.

  2. Besides BlueLine, most other brands of sound decoders that I know of will also work on DC. However, the control of the sound functions, and in many cases the operation of the loco itself, may be less than optimal. You can buy a “sound controller” that goes between your power pack and the track, but that’s a band-aid approach at best. DCC is by far the best way to make good use of sound capability.

  3. The Digitrax Big Book of DCC is also an excellent reference if you can find a copy at a reasonable price (it’s out of print). Although (obviously) oriented towards Digitrax, most of the concepts and ideas apply to DCC in general.

HTH,
Steve

4

You don’t need a book to learn about DCC because most of the information in the books is available on-line at places like Tony’s Train Exchange free for the downloading. The lead time to print a book makes it outdated before it even hits the store shelves.

Tony’s DCC Primer is available at http://www.tonystrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm

5

  1. DCC ready can mean there’s an NMRA eight-pin plug or nine-pin socket, or it could mean there is a light board that can be replaced by a “drop in” light board replacement decoder, or it could just mean that the engine is electrically isolated from the chassis and that there’s room enough for a decoder probably. In other words, there is no set definition of “DCC ready”, it’s kinda up to the manufacturer if they want to use the term, and what they mean when they do.

  2. Strang’s book is very good, I still refer to it when doing a “hardwire” installation or an Athearn bluebox one etc. The BIG Book of DCC is good but has a lot of stuff in it which you may never use (and some info is a little out of date). It’s kinda like buying a bible because you want a copy of the 10 Commandments.

[angel]

6

With all due respect, you need to put in a disclaimer or two about the information at Tony’s, like I did when I mentioned the Digitrax book (“Although (obviously) oriented towards Digitrax…”)

First of all, a lot of the stuff on Tony’s site seems to be as much opinion as it is fact. For example, he says the PA is a step up from the Zephyr. Not maybe, or it depends, it just is a step up.

But that depends a lot on your situation. The PA may have more amps/functions out of the box, but it doesn’t have the upgrade path or range of accessories that the Zephyr has. So if you’re going to buy a DCC system and never expand/upgrade it, then yeah, the PA might be a step up. On the other hand, if you ever want to expand, use a computer, signal your layout, etc, the Zephyr’s abilities in those areas might make it a step up from the PA.

And you mention outdated? Take a look at the comments below his DCC Comparison chart located here: http://www.tonystrains.com/productcompare/dcccomparison.htm It’s still making comparisons to the DT100 and the Wangrow System One! Not surprising, considering it was last updated in December of 2005. Nope, nothing’s changed since then…

On the other hand, the things you’ll find in a good DCC book, like the basic concepts of how

7

Thanks for the “mini-review” of Strang’s book. I may take a look at it the next time I stop at my LHS. Then I’d have a prayer book to go with my bible! [:D]

Steve

8

Well the Digitrax Big Book is a good book (not to be confused with “the good book”), but I found when I got it (when I was first starting in DCC) that there was so much information in such minute detail that it was kinda overwhelming…kinda like learning about baseball by first being taught about the infield fly rule!! [%-)]

Plus, by the time I got it, a lot of programming had gotten easier, you didn’t have to convert numbers to ‘base eight’ to enter them etc. Now after 4-5 years I go back and refer to it for information and it makes a lot more sense.