Trying to learn about Dcc

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

If I have all old locomotives say 25to30 years old is it worth converting them
to Dcc and if so is it hard to do or just buy new locomotives [ Ihave three or four
about 5 years old]

Greg

2

Hi. Chances are that your older locos are going to be very hard to get running well. The motors are older and will require a lot of attention, and then you will have to convert them to DCC operation once you are satisfied that they are reliable.

First, you will have to isolate the motors from the frame…completely…no power to them other than via the two wires from the decoder, and not metal-to-metal contact with the frame. If your tenders are empty, you can put a decoder in them and wire the motors to them.

Your most recent engines are sure to be easier to convert, and may even be ready for DCC. An inpsection of the engine mount and its wiring will soon reveal if it is.

3

I had the same questions. Then I learned I could run the old locos by calling them 00 and they ran fine. The only limitation I have found is that you can only run one at a time, and when they are not running they need to be on a dead track. I just use one of the old DC blocks.

As far as conversions goes, there are several people in the area that say it is easy and they have done many. Maybe someday I will try to convert one. In the mean time, I just run them as 00. My brass Seirra, BLI Mikado and Spectrum Mountain make a nice tripleheader on my coal train.

4

Thanks for the help so far but what I think I am looking for can you use sound decoders
with Dc power or does it need to be Dcc

Greg

5

A friend of mine recently had decoders installed into 30 and 40 year old cast metal steam engines and they all run just fine after tuning up the decoder start voltage and momentum CVs.

6

BLI knows how to do it but I don’t. All the sound stuff I have heard about is DCC.

7

Good thread!
I am trying to do my old stuff also. The Wiring for DCC website is a great source to figure it out also their Yahoo Group.
I feel like I am back in school learning this DCC stuff but it is the best exercise my brain has had in years!!
I can tell you from experience that:

  1. All decoders are NOT created equal
  2. Decoder Pro is a gift from the DCC GODS
  3. When talking about bus wires SIZE does matter.
  4. A written log for the old farts like me is the best way to keep DCC in order.
    I have found that a beeping tester is the best for seeing if the motor is isolated
    A diigital soldering station is ALMOST a must for doing decoders
    Last of all, there are no DUMB questions when talking DCC.
    Doing the decoder install thing is easier if you have a test set-up for the DCC decoder BEFORE you put track power to it.
    Take Care
    George P.
    9 Loco’s done 46 to go!