I plan to move to DCC soon. I know that you do not want to mix DCC and DC. What about power to the switch machines? Do these need rewired, too, or can I use DC power just for the switch machines?[oX)][#ditto]
As long as your switch machines aren’t wired from the same control units that handled your DC wiring they can stay as is. You do though have the option of using accesory decoders to power these switch machines but you don’t need to take the option.
My last layout was DCC with Tortoise switch machines run of a DC power supply. I am currently involved in a project on a club layout involving the removal of twin coil machines and replacement with Tortoise motors with NCE Switch-It accesory decoders - we’re almost 1/2 way through that project.
Regards
Tim
I converted my DC layout almost two years ago to DCC. It had 30 Tortise, 8 blocks.
I simply replaced my DC pack with the Lenz 100, turned all blocks ON. And the way I went. I had installed sufficient feeders when I built it as DC.
It was that simple.
I later installed 3 breakers and tied some of my original blocks together so as to have three separate ‘blocks’, so to speak, one for each breaker.
While not necessary, having three separate districts prevent complete layout shutdown in the even I experience a short somewhere due to derails, etc.
Don’t sweat it… just do it.
If you powered your switch machines in the past using DC because they are DC machines, then you can continue to control them as you have done in the past. That is, if the mechanisms are simple snap switch solenoids that actuated with a push button or a slide, and were run by a DC power source, you can still do that…assuming the mechanisms are isolated from track power and are fed by dedicated wires to the switches that control them.
You can keep DC and DCC power to the layout, just not at the same time…ever. Use a DPDT if you want to occasionally fall back on DC ops so that you don’t inadvertently energize the tracks with both systems simulaneously. Note that not all decoders will safely power up in DC mode, so beware what you expose to that type of current.