Im new and iv been wondering about some of the wiring and track set up details. Is all the wiering as complicated as it sounds and if someone could please try to explain the diffrence between DC and DCC that would be awsome help.
Thanx
Benjamin R.
DC vs DCC: if you have only one locomotive to run, it makes no difference. For more than one, with DC you have to set up seperate electrically isolated blocks, with DCC (for smaller layouts) you need only one block (except for reversing sections). Basically with DC you control the track, and the locomotive responds, and with DCC you control the locomotive(s).
Technically, DCC is a high powered low frequency serial signal, very similar to the serial port on a PC. In fact you can use a PC as a DCC unit. Do a websearch for how. Buying a system is cheaper, even if the PC is free.
If i were you, i’d get a couple of wiring publications and study them very closely…“Easy Model Railroad Wiring” by Andy S. (I still can’t spell your last name Andy) and “Wiring your Model Railroad” by Lynn Westcott are two very good books…Andy’s book is better because it goes into DCC…Something that wasn’t around in Lynn Westcott’s day…both are Kalmbach publications and you can order them from their website…Chuck[:D]
If you go the traditional DC route and plan on using only Atlas components, Atlas has published a very clear wiring book that does not necessarily help you understand the theory behind DC block control wiring but will help you wire a variety of layout sitiuations in a clear step by step approach. My copy is old enough that it is silent about DCC and perhaps they have updated or rewritten it.
Dave Nelson
No one has answered your question about DC vs, DCC. DC stands for direct current were you control the train(s) by varying the electric current running to the rails. In DCC see the defintion two answers above but basically it allows more than one train to operate on the same track independently of the other so it runs more like a real train. This is done by having a computer chip in each engine decide which signal is for it to obey. It requires a decoder in each engine that can run from about $15.00 for a basic one through $150.00 for one with sound included plus a base system to send out the signals. They are coming down in price but for a top of the line one plan on $5-600.00.
DC: you control the track
DCC: you control the train
Thanx steamerfan all of these replies and yours was the only one that made sence.
Benjamin R.
As for wiring, it gets more complicated as the track gets complicated.
Think of a straight segment of track. It needs two wires, one to each rail, regardless of whether you are using DC or DCC.
You make a simple loop or circle, still no trouble. But if the loop gets big, you might isolate parts of the track into different blocks. Each block needs its own wiring.
If you have a curve that turns back on itself – so an engine can turn around – that’s a reversing loop, and the wiring for that can be tricky if you aren’t comfortable with wiring.
correction clarification:
DC: you control the track
DCC: you control the train, or trains, and have an awesome time!
[:D]
calvin.
yep its complicated. a good understanding of the basic understanding abought electricity helps. ie single, parallel, single parallel cuircits ,ohms resistance, amps, volts.etc.
Ok guys, another newbie question. Consider I have a total loop. You could set the trian running and it would run around the room for ever if you let it. Let say I have a 8 segment yard in the mix. How does that effect the DCC wiring?
Or on that same loop set up what happens if I have a single spur that goes out with no return option other than reverse…does that require more technical wiring?
And if I have a layout that’s got 30 feet of track, will I have to have more than one power source or will it just take different wiring schemes?
Whew. This stuff is all voodoo magic to me right now! I’ve been in the r/c world for to long! I get the basic’s but the details are kickin my butt!
Thanks for your time in answering us newbie’s questions!
5150
You don’t need a larger power supply just because you have more track. You will probably need more wire because the current does disappear at each rail joint and the wire gets past that.
Adding a switch adds complications to the wiring, depending on the type of switch. Atlas Snap-switches don’t add complications. All rail switches can cause short circuits if the power feeds from the frog end and the switch is set across it.
For basic operation, DC and DCC wiring is the same. The difference comes when you want to control a second train – with DCC you just add the loco and program it; with DC you need another electrical block, probably more.
Even as complicated as it may sound it will all come with education and experience (hands-on). Find someone in your area that has a layout and go learn. I learn something everytime I look at someone’s layout.
I got into DCC kinda by accident. I had been out of the hobby for about 20 years and didn’t know how much things had changed. SO LONG TYCO!!! Went to an estate auction advertising big train layout and bought two MRC Command 2000 for $5.00 ea. because they looked like nice controllers. Boy were they when I found out how much they retailed for!!
I’ll never look at DC again. I’ve been trading it off at train shows. It’ll get easier with more experience, trust me, and you’ll love the end results. Good luck and “Happy rails to you…”