The MRC Tech 6 Hybrid DCC/DC Sound Controller system is a very interesting product. After watching videos describing how to create your own personal DCC/DC combined system separated by wiring a DCC control system to one side of a DPDT switch and then wiring a DC control system to the other side, I now see the MRC Tech 6 system as doing the same thing.
Installing the two pricier control systems via a DPDT switch is the same as having the Tech 6 “hybrid”. However, the Tech 6 is limited to controlling six locomotives at once whereas a larger, pricier DCC system can control up to thirty locomotives. “Limited”? Six locos at once is enough to stress out the best of us.
I believe this is a very clever product design. My guess is they shrunk the electronics down to a PC board level which performs just like having two full- size DCC/DC combination systems separated but linked through a DPDT switch. I’m going to install it on my 9’ x 7’ N scale layout and enjoy running both DCC/DC locomotives.
I’m also amused that it’s labeled as a “Sound Controller”. That’s like calling a DCC system exclusively as a sound controller. Sound control is simply a feature on DCC as well as on this system because this system is actually DCC. I think this is an example of branding a product to avoid cutting into the sales of similar, more expensive products which perform similar tasks.
Any comments?
Maybe just that I would clarify one thing for those out there who don’t know. With combination DC/DCC systems and the Tech 6, you can use both types of trains on the layout, but only one type of control system at a time. Unlike analog locomotives, speed contol for DCC locos is not affected by variable voltage. DCC systems provide constant fixed voltage to the track, and all the speed, light and sound functions are controlled by signals superimposed over the track power. If you tried to run an analog loco on DCC it would sit with the lights on and hum. That is why you would have the DPDT, so you can flip it between controllers.
And that’s why it’s such an interesting product for folks like me who own mostly DC locos. I can now build up my collection of DCC locos since I will now have two separate systems in one inexpensive box. From what I’ve learned, it’s ok to run DCC locos on DC mode. Yet I should avoid running DC locos on DCC mode. They could heat up and cook the motor.
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Yup, and I have done that before myself.
All I can say is that unless you are operating a busy mainline section of track/have a large, busy rail yard to operate, I’d go the DC route. It’s much easier and it’s more realistic to me. You can always get a sound system (Kato makes an excellent one) for your DC layout. Keep it simple for less busy secondary or even less busy mainline layouts that don’t include much of a rail yard, if any.