Just wondering if I have my DC layout and wi***o go to DCC, what work is involved with my existing wiring, etc.
In short, what is the process needed to covert my layout from DC to DCC?
It really depends on how complex your existing DC wiring is.
If you have the DC wired with a common rail (block toggles and gaps in only one rail, all wires from the other rail connected in common) you will want to gap the common rail and install feeders. Common rail is BAD for DCC. I won;t go into the details here, you can find it on numerous sites such as http://www.wiringfordcc.com
If you just have a simple connection tot he tracks, all you really need to do is connect the DCC booster to where you used to connect your DC supply. If you don’t have feeders every so often, you will want to add additional feeders to prevent power and signal loss which would result in erratic operation. I feed power to EVERY section of flextrack, most people say every 10 feet or less. Depending on your layout size, the power bus connecting all these feeders should be #14 or heavier (smaller number) wire if you are in HO. Drops from the track to the bus can be #20 or #22 wire, over the short distance the thinner wire is fine, but would drop far too much voltage to provide power all around your layout, thus the heavier wire for the bus with the thinner wire for easier connection to the track.
Reverse loops and such are actually easier with DCC, as there are automatic reverse units to switch the polarity for you, or you can continue to use a toggle like in DC, except that with DCC you can throw the toggle WHILE the train is moving and it won’t stop since the ‘polarity’ (more accurately, the phase, since DCC is a square wave AC signal) does not control direction.
There’s a lot more, check out the site above for a LOT of good information and more detail than I am giving you.
–Randy
Thanks Randy, I am toying with the thought of DCC. I’ll check that site you gave too.
It is absolutely worth it no matter what. The simple ability to run any train anywhere without crazy block wiring, not to mention just being able to run your train over the entire layout without constantly flipping block toggles, is immeasurably better than the old way.
I don’t even have the first bit of track laid onmy layout yet, but on a simple oval of track is was a lot more fun using DCC. I also set up a test section with one turnout and 3 pieces of flex track. With DCC I had 3 engines shuttling back and forth on this little test section. To do what I was doing there with DC control would have been nearly impossible, and would have needed 6 blocks in that shrt section of track!
Heck, I was hooked on the concept when I was a kid and read about the GE ASTRAC system. I was prepared to build a CTC-16 system when my situation changed and I no longer had a layout. I was there on the COmpuServe Trainnet forum when the original ideas for NMRA standardization were being bantered around, and made up my mind that no matter what, when I built another layout it would be DCC or nothing.
–Randy
I wouldn’t change your wiring. Leaving the block system in place will allow for a smoother transition to DCC with your locomotives. I’m sure you’re not going to just by all the decoders for all your locomotives at once right? By leaving the block system in place you can also save the bulbs on some of the decoder equiped locomotives that have constant lighting whether the loco is recalled or not. I have that issue with my Atlas AEM7s and the TCS TH150DP decoder.
What I would also suggest is not to disconect your DC throttle. Leave it in place and just wire the DCC system to the existing layout. You’ll then be able to switch back and forth between analog and digital control. To be on the safe side though, I would wire in a toggle switch so that you can select the power source. That’s what I do. By having the option to switch back and forth, there’s less pressure for me to by decoders for my new locomotives.