My layout is up and running great on DC. My friend wants me to go DCC but I would prefer to go remote control. I have a Crest system for my HO layout and it works great. What I am wondering is if there is a manufacture working on one that will plug into a DCC plug. I am looking for the type that for the basics (forward and reverse) does not use DCC. I know I can buy the components and build my own but I would prefer to do the other, even if I have to wait a year or two.
Look into Railpro if you’re leaning towards radio control (http://ringengineering.com/RailPro.htm). The modules plug into a 9-pin DCC socket, and it can be used on both DCC or Railpro powered layouts. It’s possible to run it on a DC layout, but spikes in voltage on DC can destroy the module. All function are controlled through radio signals from the controller directly to each locomotive, no signals through the track. I’ve been using it for over a year now and have been very pleased.
-Kevin
What do you want to "plug into a DCC plug?’ A throttle? A receiver inside the engine?
And, what do you have against DCC? Several manufacturers have radio throttles for DCC that don’t require tether wires, if that’s the issue.
DCC is too sensitive and I want to have fun, not learn to program things. I know many with DCC and have not met one without problems from time to time, some insurmoutable and decoders tend to go up in little puffs of smoke making mistakes can be very expencive in DCC. The worst I can do on mine is pop the car fuse, Last I want to charge the batteries from the track, why use the DCC plug, because it is there.
Bacicly that is what I run, only a dcc version, though I am told that your system works great!!!
I am one with no problems with DCC. Ever. Not one. I have never heard of anyone destroying their entire DCC system. Ever. Maybe a decoder.
And why do you think a complex direct radio control system like you are talking about will not be sensitive and subject to blowing up the radio modules, too?
A friend of mine tried an early version of Railpro and gave up because people in the aisles blocked the signals. And it will be just as expensive or more than DCC (no competitors and no standardization) and lack the drop in modules to retrofit engines.
And you think radio plus battery will be easier to install than DCC that is designed to drop in?
I guess it is nice to have a dream.
I’ve also never had any sort of problem with DCC, and think learning how to program and master the dynamic control can improve everything about model railroading.
OP, If you’re afraid of heights, then say you’re afraid of heights. Don’t go around saying the cliffs are too high. See the point.
With DCC, it only has to be as difficult as you make it. Most engines today either come with a decoder or are equipped as such to just remove the shell, plug in a decoder and re-install the shell.
The only programming you HAVE to do, is change CV1 to the address you want and you’re done.
That’s exactly how I started. I bought a couple dozen basic decoders, plugged them into my engines, changed the addresses and I was off and running. My first DCC system was an Atlas Commander - extremely simple and basic. Used it for years with not one single problem … and I still use it on occasion.
The ONLY decoders I ever had trouble with were deemed to have been defective right from the manufacturer.
Wireless / battery systems are still in their infancy right now. Systems like Rail-Pro are propietary, meaning if you buy their system, you are stuck having to buy their decoders, which, by the way, are bigger than most non-sound decoders and will be more difficult to install in smaller engines like switchers.
Mark.
My wife was intimidated by, and therefor hated, computers. She is a voracious reader. I kept trying to get her to consider an e-reader, but she resisted, claiming she preferred books. E-readers were too complicated and she heard you can’t use them outdoors, and the batteries have to be recharged. In short, they are too much trouble. I finally bought her a Nook for Valentine’s Day and she is hooked. She was intimidated by the web and had heard all those virus stories, until she learned to access the internet from her Nook E-reader. Now she looks up stuff on the internet all the time. She has even upgraded her Nook to the newer and better model.
In short, people are wary of the unknown. The cure is to make it known before deciding.
Radio control for trains has been around for a long time, just wasn’t very practical in smaller scales. Now with the batteries that are out there you can get up to 15 hr run time in HO. Also some new batteries are coming an the market in the next three years that will make those look like dinosaurs, that will bring it to N scale. As far as others saying they have never had problems with DCC, that is great but I have seen the opposite. To basically run a train you don’t need much but if you want all the bells a whistles, that is another mater. The main reason for radio control is except for the charging track, you can run over wood or plastic rails for that mater, you don’t even need metal so dirty track is not a problem. Yes I have played with DCC, a couple of the main one in fact, my buddy having an NCE. As far as computers, your wife was wize to be wary but as long as you don’t do your banking online, you realy don’t have to worry. Yes I do know computers and yes I could learn DCC as it is mainly run on comands but I would prefer to pick up the control and turn on the devise and run but that is just me. I was hoping to find someone that was working on advanced stuff on this forum but as you can see, not so far.
Well, I suppose that depends on a person’s definition of “advanced” as there are folks on this site doing some pretty advanced stuff, both modeling wise and technologically speaking (I do not include myself among them though [D)]). I am sure people here would like to help you, it’s just that most folks here seem to operate on DC or DCC and don’t have the answers to your questions is all. I am a computer dunce and make no bones about admitting it. But I figured out DCC fairly easily and with no more pain then when I first started running trains on DC. Each to their own and I hope you get it all figured out. Good luck[Y]!
Happy Modeling!
Don.
I’m with Don: To each their own.
Nobody has to be afraid of DCC. Nobody has to choose DCC either. Either way, there are plenty of options for you. Don’t let the Elitists on either side of the DC vs DCC issue berate you for your decision.
Tam Valley has a small Radio-DCC bridge system to help facilitate a ‘dead rail’ setup. Not a 100% match with what you are looking for, but perhaps worth mentioning.
I don’t let anyone intimidate me and I am known for going agaist the grain, notice my moniker. People are always saing what I can’t do and then I go and do it, including the so called experts. Just in railroading my layout is built on beaded foam (all that was avalible out here at the time on the west coast). No problems, didn’t want to solder under the layout but wanted a buss line system, found a product that met that need (posi-taps). ECT. ECT.
I also have Dcc and have had an all Digitrax system since 1999. I haven’t had any problems that a little reading didn’t cure or asking someone. It is really great to have your loco’s and switches work from your remote or the signaling and track detection letting you know where your train is. Sounds difficult right! You shouldn’t condemn Dcc until you have tried it or used it at a club or show, a train show had a Dcc setup and it was Digitrax and 2 weeks later I had one and was using it without the slightest problem, it was the reading that took the most time. Since then I have 5 friends using it. It’s nice to take your loco’s to a friends home layout and run or to the local club,it’s something you might want to think about before you take that step. Jim.
I have played with DCC and unlike you and your freinds, lots of issues. Imagine never having to worry about dirty track again
I’m not so sure that battery powered loco’s with radio control is the ideal way to go. Some one posted that there are batteries that will fit in an HO engine that last for 15 hours. What about the 16th hour? I have the same situation with my cordless power tools. If I forget to charge, I don’t drill holes.
Other then getting the signal to the engine, the complexity would still be up to the user. Each engine will need some type of ID. I would hope that would be something that could be set by the user. No difference from DCC there. Options would also need to be selected (programmed). Again no difference. The only real difference with DCC as we know it today is that the signal is sent through the rails. Other then that, if one desires lighting and sound options it will become complex.
Your Crest system works well for you. We used it on NTRAK for years. Many still do. We stopped using it on large layouts because as the layouts got larger we couldn’t find enough equipment to support it.
Martin Myers
Martin,Just for laughs that’s what many said about DCC.[(-D]
I suspect the batteries would last longer then 15 hours…
R/C like DCC will require learning.
I agree. Some time it will be available. That will happen when other industries develop the components needed to assemble a model train control system. The cell phone companies made DCC possible. They might wind up making radio control possible. My point is that by the time that happens my current DCC system will be antique. First the parts become available. Then some industrious model railroader need to take them and assemble the system. Then market it and sell enough to stay in business to support it while developing new stuff to continue.
If I had waited for something better, I would have already missed the last 17 years of fun I’ve had with my DCC system. My point is maybe something will become available tomorrow. Maybe 5 years from now. DCC is here now. Get it, use it, move on when something better comes around. My VCR is in the basement on a shelf because I still own a bunch of tapes which are also on the shelf. Most likely, I’ll never use them again.
Martin Myers
Baloney!
I hear you but it will be a year or so before my layout is reasonably compleat and I am one of those that plan long term. I have been gathering stuff for my layout for 20 years and finally had the time and space to build, made it portable too, just in case. DC works for some DCC for others. A comment was made about the 16th hour, in that case I hope you have more than one engine but that is why there are those looking at charging stations, as long as you park your engine there, no problem.