Help (DCC)

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

Since im new to model railroading i was wondering what DCC is and if you can do it on N scale locamotive

2

DCC. Digital Control Command. A way to run the trains with a constant track voltage and “sensors” in the locos. Yes it will work in N scale. Othere will fill you in on the details. Mike

3

Welcome aboard. DCC stands for digital command control. It’s a way of controlling multiple locomotives without any special wiring. It is used all the time for N Gauge. Let me suggest you got to www.tonystrainexchange.com and read up on DCC there. He has some good articles that explain DCC in non-technical language.

4

Welcome

Usually you get a little more response if you add a more descriptive title.

DCC is Digital Command Control and differs in that the track is wired to an AC-like current and signals are sent to the engines which have decoders. In other words you control the engines instead of the track like you did with DCC. This also means you can run multiple trains that are controlled independently or in consists.

N scale is no different than other scales when it comes to DCC.

5

So what does it cost to do this two a couple of trains

6

It depends on the decoder you use; I use the TCS T1, which I beleive is a high-end decoder, and it cost me $25 each. You could get chepaer Lenz decoders, which just might not have all the 25,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 functions, est.

I hope you don’t mind, I changed the title when I replied, which might change the title on the index, I’m not sure. EDIT: Never mind. You might want to edit your post and change it, however.

7

So it cost roughly $25 dollars per unit but what does the controller cost. Also are the chips hard to install.

8

For the higher end decoders, but you could get cheaper ones for, well, cheaper! Maybe somebody could shed some light on that… Jeffrey?

For the controller, my Digitrax Zephyr is very good, can handle 10 trains, and can support 10 walkaround throttles. It went for around $100 at Tonystrains.com.

The chips aren’t really hard, all you need to do is soilder wires from the included plug to the parts of the locomotive (motor +, motor -, light common, ect.)

If you’ve never soildered before, it’s not that hard; I’m 13, and have installed DCC in all my locomotives myself.

9

Check at the link I gave you for Tony’s Trains. He has all the information on decoders and DCC systems and his prices are very fair. You can get a good idea of exactly what it will cost to convert almost any engine.

10

My last final question is how is the bachmann ez command

11

The Bachmann EZ-Command is good as a low cost entry level DCC system for the beginner. With it you can assign addresses to locos (two digit addresses only, from 01 to 09). You can run a DC loco on button ten, control headlight on/off with button ten in function mode, dim the lights, control certain sounds, and set loco run direction. You can do much more with a more expensive unit and run more locos at once. With the EZ-Command, you can probably run five or six N scale locos at once.

12

Grant,

Along with what Jeffrey has said, of the sound functions, you can access up to 8 (F1-F8) with the E-Z Command:

  • F1 - Bell

  • F2 - Horn

  • F3 - Coupler

  • F4 - Blower hiss

  • F5 - Dynamic braking

  • F6 - Doppler effect

  • F7 - Brake squeal/flanges

  • F8 - Mute

Yes, it’s limited as far as it’s inability to access CVs (or configuration variables) and maximum output (only 1 amp). However, for me, it was still more better and more fun than running DC.

Grant, what are you plans as far as building a layout are concern?

Tom