How important are they. I am running DC right now ,and am looking at DCC systems to buy. I havent made my choice yet but, am probably going to go for the prodigy express since i will probably only have two maybe three trains going.And yes ,the questions again for you guys but maybe these are new to some.
Ok, so, first off i have no power blocks at all, since i run power loc track . So, since i have no blocks, and the power is ran by the rerailers i have four all together can i get away with not having power districts?
Second what , kind of sound decoders do you use? I have been told the MRC decoders are junk but ,since i know no better i will ask this.reason being i have at least 7 locos i will have to try and convert. I have gotten to the point where i go to buy a DCC system go to click the buy button but, back off so all help would really be alot of help.
I live where i am about the only one who is in this hobby , and i know the only one going DCC, there are no hobby shops here ,and no clubs , unless i go to San Antonio. So, thanks ahead of time for you help [:)]
Hi Talon.
I am not sure what scale you are running, but digitraxx decoders seem to be some of the best around. If you don’t need hi end sound I would say go with them. they have descently priced units. Their N scale ones are rated for 1 amp so you can use them in HO which is great because the small foot print makes them easier to install.
It sounds like you have a small layout. I would say overall segmenting your layout into at least two districts makes sence. If you have a short somewhere or an engine malfunctions it will help in troubleshooting. Also depending on the DCC system you buy it may not support programing on the main so you will have to segment at least one section of track to program on. The rest of the time it will be toggled to the main. I would say that if you have switches on you layout you could section them off logicly as though you were running traditional DC for mutiple train operation. This gives you the best methode for trouble shooting any issues that may arise.
thanks for the reply dsilver668.
Sorry for the limited info, am just so darn frustrated in what to do. Stay DC or Go DCC. I am doing a HO layout . i figure the size is 12x8( one side of my garage) . The system i am really leaning towards is the prodigy express. Was thinking The NCE powercab but, all the probs i dont think have been worked out and i will only be running up to three at most train (most likely two)
call me stupid for just starting out but i am basically new so, my concern at this moment is how to build , adding scenery, and i want the locos with sound. trivial to some,but basic to me .
I figure the rest will fall into place on my next layout years down the road.
Thanks for your help dsilver668 again
C.C.
Given the problems with insulating sections of the PowerLoc track, and a reasonably simple layout, I would just tie the DCC straight to the track as you do with DC. The only disadvantage of not having power districts is that a short (usually caused by a derailment) will shut down the whole layout. Might not be a bad thing when it’s only you operating!
Most of the newer DCC systems and decoders support “ops” mode programming which means you program the decoder right on your regular track. I believe the MRC PE and PA systems don’t even have a “program track” output (but could be wrong).
Go for it and enjoy yourself!
Fred W
Thanks Fred Alot.[:)] you answered my question and I appreciate it . I’ll give this thread till i get off work tonight to make a decision. Maybe someone else in here has some more info ? I would hate to invest lets say $160 for the DCC system and another 70 or so a pop for decoders and it had been a wrong choice and stuck with DC since it is already working as is now.
Thanks again
C.C.
If you’re that sold on sound, you probably do want to go DCC. There are some locos that will do sound on DC (mostly BLI), but it seems like they’re more limited.
If you “bite the bullet” and go DCC, you’ll have all the flexibility and control. I wouldn’t rule out the Powercab, at least not without talking to the folks at Tony’s (800-978-3472). They are absolutely great at even-handed advice.
Many of us think the Tsunami decoders have the best combination of sound and operation (steam out now, diesels maybe this summer). They’re not cheap (usually about $80 plus speaker, etc.), but again, most folks think you get the most for the money with them.
If at all possible, I’d recommend getting in touch with a club, even if it’s a long way. Some of their members no doubt run DCC, probably various ones, and should be full of opinions. Try to get a demo, hands-on if possible. The main thing you want is a system that “feels” right to you, which may not be the same as somebody else’s otherwise perfectly good system.
thanks alot for everything guys.Pondini your absolutely right about everything you said, thank you so much. i have been sitting on the idea all day at work and i guess i will have to just wait it out [:(] funny thing is i was thinking of the powercab LOL , or the prodigy express ; leaning more towards the prodgy express. One reason i have decided i am going to wait is to find out more info on the DCC systems, figure out if my layout will eventually need a "Sledge hammer " and just the shear reason that since i am as far as i already am i might as well just finish it out then since i am using the track that i am it wont be any different doing it now or later( if you know what i mean ) , All of you have given me alot of good advise and i am sure going to use it all
Thanks
C.C.
Hi Talon, if you haven’t already, check the following forum threads. tstage did an excellent review of the NCE PowerCab and jfugate led an excellent discussion on things to consider when one asks “Which is the best DCC system?”.
PowerCab Review
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=1&TOPIC_ID=59491
Power Cab Extra Throttle
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=60538&REPLY_ID=683416#683416
Which is the best DCC system
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=49375
Have fun.
Talon,
I’m not sure what the Prodigy Express is selling for, but you might be able to find the Prodigy Advance for just a little bit more (maybe $50 - 60 more). The extra features offered by the PA may not be worth the difference in price (at least to you), but it might be worth looking at. As for power districts, they may be overkill for what you are doing currently. If you’re the only user, and are only running one or two trains at a time, I don’t think you’d need them. If you have friends or family that will be operating with you and the number climbs to four or five trains at a time, then it might be time to consider power districts. Sometimes, though, power districts are logical for a particular layout configuration. Many people will create a separate power district for a switching yard, for example. If you have a reverse loop on your layout, then you’ll need a separate district there, too, along with some way of reversing the power (most people use an automatic power reverser for this). These are things to consider when planning power districts.
As for sound units, I have several locomotives with QSI sound installed, and like the sound quality and available features. I also have several of the MRC sound units that I’ve installed in some of my locomotives. They aren’t bad units, but are not up to the quality of the QSI sound. I generally use these in my less expensive trains, such as my IHC steamers. I also have a couple of older (pre-Tsunami) Soundtraxx units, but haven’t yet installed them, so can’t comment on the sound quality. If you get them for a good price and don’t expect the world from them, then I think you’d be satisfied with the MRC sound units. Just realize that these are lower end units and don’t have the best sound or motor control on the market.
Hope this helps.
Joe
Tom,
Thanks for pointing out the past threads; I have read them and have gotten alot of information from them that was extremely helpful. I Am just in a “Limbo mode” if you will about what to do.Seems like i have a tendancy sometime to go off and jump at the wrong thing so i’m trying not to do that with this situation . Thanks for your input.
Joe,
Yeah, the PA was actually my first choice in the matter of DCC but, i talked to a hobby shop in S.A. And they kinda seemed to shoot it down and was trying to mainly pu***he traxx system off on me. He continued to remark that the sound decoders were Junk. And Since i am in a place that has no other outlets to go to , You Great guys are my insperation and Sole confidants( SP. ? ) in the matter of trains.
I Actually almost bought a NCE powercab off Ebay for about $159 i think ( plus shipping ) but backed out at the last second for the fear of making a mistake.I know the track i use is like Bottom line track so ,the fear is there that i will buy a system and decoders and wind up with nothing but , silence when i try to start it up [:(]LOL
I was instructed by my “BIG BOSS” to wait until i finish my layout and then go for a DCC System so i guess i’ll be waiting a bit longer but, reading all you guy’s posts on here makes me drool and really want to say " just go for it" and worry about her afterwords [;)]
WEll, I really Appreciate all your feedback for my question and, if any of you have better info on the NCE, PE, Or PA you can email me with the info if you dont wanna go through it all here.
Any knowledge that you can share about your systems would really make this Grown man cry [:p]
Thanks Agains
Chris
Power districts are useful for …
-
limiting the affects of a short-circuit to the affected district only;
-
easier locating of short-circuits by limiting the size of the “search area”;
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disconnecting sections of your layout for construction or maintenance while not affecting the ability to run trains on the rest of the layout;
-
efficient power distribution when using multiple power boosters.
That said, power districts are not absolutely necessary. Your layout should run just as well with or without them.
By the way, MRC’s Prodigy Express allows for programming on both the mainline and a dedicated programming track.
http://www.modelrectifier.com/products/trainSound/product.asp?ID=1990&Subcategory=Prodigy%20DCC