If I have a locomotive in which I installed a decoder to run in DCC, can it be run on a DC layout without removing the decoder?
Rich
In most cases yes. AFAIK all modern decoders are dual mode, meaning that they can run on DC as well as DCC. Some of the older Soundtraxx decoders were not, and there may be others.
Also, realize that the DC function of the decoder can be disabled with a CV, so it is possible that it wont run if this has been done by someone. I always disable DC capability.
Do you know for sure the decoder that is in it?
Sorry, I should have mentioned the type of decoder. It is a Digitrax D13SRJ. I have disabled the DC capability with a CV on the decoder.
Rich
D13SRJ sounds like a NCE decoder to me, not Digitrax.
And you would have to re-enable the analog capability to get the loco to run on DC.
Arghhhhhh, sorry again. Yes, it is an NCE D13SRJ.
So, instead of using the CV to disable DC, I would reverse the procedure and use the CV to enable DC?
Thanks.
Rich
Yes
Excellent. Thanks for that input.
Rich
[*-)]
What am I missing here? I thought there were dire consequences for decoders if they ran in DC. Just when I thought I was understanding things, this one throws me for a loop.
Doug, there most certainly were, Soundtraxx LC decoders for instance, and may still be, decoders that could not be run on DC. Every decoder I have installed in the past few years from NCE, Digitrax, TCS, Lenz, QSI and Soundtraxx Tsunami have been dual mode, meaning that the DCC decoder can be safely operated on DC.
Doug, as the OP of this thread, I would have thought the same thing at one time.
My first hint that a DCC equipped loco could be run on DC is the fact that in programming the decoder, the question is asked whether to set the decoder for DC operation.
I am thinking of selling some of my DCC equipped locos on eBay, and it crossed my mind that DC users might be interested in purchasing one or more of these locos. So, I began to wonder if the decoder could be reset to DC so that i wouldn’t have to remove the decoders before sale. In my mind, a DC guy who purchases such a loco has the advantage of being able to reset the decoder once again to DCC if he decides to go in that direction later on. Of course, the disadvantage of the decoder to the DC user is that he is paying for something that he doesn’t need. My problem is that I am stuck with an used decoder if I sell the loco without it.
Rich
Rich, sell with the decoder, I would rest all address back to 3. Just mention the engine can be ran on DC as well as DCC. You will have more buyers that way.
By the way, what are you selling?
Ken
I thought that it would be better to set the decoder back to running on DC so that a DC buyer could just run the loco right out of the box. Otherwise, how could a DC user change the CV setting?
Rich
Wow. Well thanks for your original post Rich!
We only have two locos with decoders, both of them being DH163’s. The only programming I did on each was to set the address, and I don’t recall being prompted on the DC/DCC thing. I guess I need to spend some time on the Digitrax site to learn a little more about my decoders.
This is a blessing for us, as we’re wired up to run both DC and DCC (with the appropriate precautions taken to prevent mixing of the two) so my
Doug, one of the regulars that attends the K-10 model trains running sessions, where kids get to run on the 4K sq ft layout has a Bachmann Thomas converted to DCC with a sound decoder. It works great, but has to be the most annoying thing to be around, constantly whistling away!!
Which prompts the question, what happens if you try to run a DCC equipped loco on a DC layout with DCC enabled on the decoder? I sure don’t know the answer.
Rich
Give me $20 and I’ll find out [:P]
OK, Doug, here is the deal.
You run a DCC equipped loco, your most valuable one, on a DC powered layout without any adjustments to the decoder. Then, come back and tell us what happened. We can then decide the best way to reward you for your efforts. [(-D]
Rich
If you set CV29 to turn off the automatic analog conversion (DC) mode, nothing happens. It just sits there, provided the DC voltage does not exceed the maximum input voltage of the decoder.
We have two loco cleaning options on the club layout. One is a Bachmann DC power pack hooked to one of those Kadee wheel cleaning brushes, the other is a section of track hooked to a DB150 with a throttle plugged in. I never use the Kadee brush because I always turn off DC in my decoders, I use the DB150 track and a paper towel soaked in alcohol to clean my loco wheels.
–Randy
I ran a Kato SD40-2 DCC on DC and it started smoking so i stoped it but it still runs.
CV 29 is used to enable/disable DC running, however CV13 and 14 are used to turn on function keys on many decoders. CV29 will just enable the motor. 13 and 14 will enable the lights and sound.
I have found MRC 324 decoders flaky on DC running, but in large scale all Zimo and LGB decoders work on DCC and DC as well as MTS.