[?] Now that I have a DCC system, what can I do with it? [?]
I mean, I can operate over two locos, control the lighting and possible sound features, but what else can I do for my layout?
To answer your questions in order:
Amazing amounts of things.
Yes
Yes
Just about anything really, control turnouts, control signals and other lights…
But I have a question (or two) for you: Did you jump into DCC without researching what it can do for you? Following, how much research did you put into what ever system you purchased? (or was it a gift?)
What DCC system do you have? Some can do more than others.
I have a Bachmann E-Z command that I got as a gift and it came with two DCC on board locos and some frieght cars.
unionpacific4
Well 'grats! Sounds like an awesome gift [:)]
I have no exp with that system, although I heard its a decent starting setup. Did you try Bachmann’s website and see what they have in the way of documentation?
Bachmann’s website is horrible. Can’t find anything on the internet or the instruction DVD.
Go to Tony’s Train Exchange and read his “DCC For Beginners” booklet or download it and read it off-line. You can learn a lot about what DCC can do for you from this booklet.
UP4,
With the Bachmann E-Z Command: Although it’s a decent little DCC system, it is fairly limited in what it can do. You have the following:
-
9 DCC address button, 1 DC address button
-
Speed control (28 speed steps)
-
Lighting control (ON/OFF)
-
Directional control (FWD/REV)
-
Emergency stop
-
8 Sound functions: Button #
Bell
Whistle or Horn
Coupler crash
Blower hiss (steamer)
Dynamic brake
Doppler (only works over 40 MPH?)
Brake squeal
Mute
The downside is that you can NOT program CVs or configuration variables.
You can also do some limited consisting by programming your locomotives to the same address. And you have the choice of programming each locomotive in your consist to run in either cab forward or hood forward.
UP4, did your E-Z Command come with a DVD? Along with the manual, Bachmann does a pretty decent job of going through what the E-Z Command can do on the DVD.
I had my E-Z Command about a year and enjoyed it a lot. It was a good way to get my feet wet with DCC without spending a lot of money upfront. I just sold it to another forum member who is now just starting out in DCC.
Tom
Edit: UP4, I forgot that the 5-amp booster, walkaround throttle, reversing loop* and turnout modules* are available now. (*Or, will be available?) That does add some new features and capabilities to the E-Z Command. But that still doesn’t change the inaccessibility issues to the CVs.
I guess I don’t understand. What else do you want to do? It can simulate the momentum of the locomotives and trains. When the computer interface is activated, it can be programmed to do all sorts of things.
Yes, my E-Z command came with a DVD, but I read about DCC in ModelRR and it sounds amazing but prices are out of sight! If I wait till prices come down they’ll have new things. Also, what is the I/O port on the back for? I’ve printed a million pamplets from the NMRA site, nothing intresting. All I want to know are the advantages of DCC.
tstage,
E-Z command allows you to have a reverse loop on you’re layout, or do you have to have a decoder for reverse loops?
Tom, out resident E-Z command expert has provided a summary of the system capabilities, but I sense that you are still struggling with why DCC would be of benefit to you compared to a regular DC pack system?
On a small, single operator layout that exists already converting from DC to DCC may not seem like it offers very much in the way of benefit. You would gain some advantage in more realistic operation if you run more than one locomotive at a time and you get more realistic control of lighting and sound features on a locomotive. With a DCC that lets you program CV’s you can tune the performance of a locomotive to provide dramatically improved low speed control for yard work and switching maneuvers. As well as control the braking, acceleration and momentum characteristics of each locomotive. The advantages become more apparent as the layout grows. For a new layout on which more than one operator will run, the wiring is vastly simpler. Gone are all the switched blocks. The cost of a pair of better quality DC throttles and the associated block wiring and switches and panels will be very comparable and probably higher than a good starter DCC system with an extra throttle.
The best thing for you to do is to have a bit of fun with your system and see what it does for you. For most of us DCC converts, it is the more realistic operation that gets us hooked. A simple loop of track, a single passing siding and 2 locos heading in the opposite direction can be controlled with ease in DCC with just 2 track wires from the DCC unit.
i don’t beleive that the EZ command has any auto reverse loop control capability. As with a DC layout, this can be handled with a manual switch or via one of many auto-sense reverse modules that are on the market. Typical cost for an auto reverse module in the $25-35 range.
I was surfing the net and found out the E-Z command IT’S SELF has no reverse loop capibilities but my question about the I/O port is demolished. The I/O port is for accesories like a REVERSE LOOP MODULE, power booster, or E-Z command walk around companion (yeah, I saw that tstage). I’ve found two great websites where NO E-Z COMMAND PRODUCT IS SOLD UNDER $150. E-Z command decoders are sold dirt cheap.
I’ll link you to them:
http://www.wholesaletrains.com/HOProducts2.asp?Scale=HO&Item=RGBVCW
May I ask you one more thing?
I’ve read in the magazines that there’s lots of wiring, so am I missing something or is that E-Z command’s capabilities? Also, is there an I/O port strip so you can have more I/O plugs?
unionpacific4
Wiring for DCC can be as simple as hooking up 2 wires to the track from the controller. For my first temporary loop layout, that is all I did. For a more permanent layout then it makes good sense to run a power bus wire pair under the layout and have regular power drops from the rails to the bus. This will provide better electrical continuity around the layout. Ideally you want to try and avoid having to rely on push fit track joiner s to transfer power and DCC command signals from track section to track section. On larger layouts it makes further sense to divide the layout into power districts. If you want signalling with block control then the layout also needs to be divided into power blocks for that. It really is not that complicated. This is not specific to the EX command this applies to any DCC controller.
UP4,
I guess I’m not sure what you are stating/asking exactly. No DCC system comes with “built in” reverse loop capabilities. They rely on a module connected to the command station and a set of turnouts to do that automatically. (Or, you can do it manually yourself by throwing a switch - as with running a DC system.)
You are correct. The I/O port is for the accessories that you mentioned. No, there isn’t a I/O “strip” available. However - and I’m just making a guess at this - the modules may (or should) be able to be “daisy-chained” together somehow so that you can use more than one “module” at a time.
Again, UP4, I’m not entirely sure what you are pointing out. I found plenty of products under $150. Am I missing something here?
Simon asked a good question before. Are you inquiring whether or not your new fangled “gift” is worth pursuing more or put more money into vs. just running your layout on DC?
Tom
What I meant about “under $150” is that most DCC systems I’VE read about are a little pricy.[:I] Tom, so what you’re saying is that each I/O attachment product has an I/O plug in it. I’m sorry. I thought what I found was cheap.[oops] I want to explore DCC I don’t want to go back to DC. DCC seams facinating.
I hope this doesn’t sound goofed-up: Can you hook digitrax “stuff” onto an E-Z command system.
unionpacific4
You can use Digitrax decoders in locomotives, but none of the Digitrax, or any other DCC manufacturers product, that needs to connect and communicate with the command station will work with the E-X Command.
If you are looking for more full featured DCC systems for under $150 the Digitrax Zephyr and the NCE Power Cab both fall into that price range.
Yes, that is true. Bachmann is the least expensive of the DCC systems. But, it’s also the most spartan (bare) of the DCC systems when it comes to features. (Still decent but less features than other DCC systems.)
Again, UP4 I’m not sure about the I/O ports. I’m just making a guess. As you know, the E-Z Command comes with an I/O port. I would think that, in order to run both a reverse module and turnout module with the E-Z Command, at least the power booster would have to have one or more I/O ports - or each unit would some how have to be daisy-chained to one another. Again, I’m only making an educated guess.
The lack of a display on the E-Z Command to control peripherals would warrant some type of I/O port so that you could control it with a toggle switch of some kind. UP4, the Bachmann forum would probably be your best resource to answer that specific question.
And Simon is correct. You can control any manufacturer’s decoder with the E-Z Command. (Or, any other manufacturer’s DCC system, for that matter.) However, you can NOT hook up different DCC manufacturer’s components and expect them to “shake hands with each other”. It would be like taking a Chevy Malibu stearing wheel and fitting it on a Honda Accord. They aren’t made for each other.
Hope that helps…
Thanks, all of you!
I think it’s time to close up this forum!
You guys were a great help to me (and my layout.)
unionpacific4
It’s like anything else in life today…
“You get what you pay for.”
The best thing you can do with the B-System is take it back to the store and get your money back and save your money until you can afford a QUALITY system. By then you’ll know what DCC can do for you. Not ALL model RR’s need DCC.
cf7