can anyone tell me what a decoder is im new to the model train hobby so work with me.
and did anyone enter the $ 2,000 hobby shop buying spree contest cuz i did[:D]
Decoders in this day and age referr to DCC …Direct Command Control
Close… DCC is Digital Command Control
Technically it’s Digital Command Control. To start with, a short explanation: DC power is traditional, you have a power pack with a rheostat that varies your voltage, thus changing the train’s speed, and a polarity reversing switch changes the direction for everything on the track. With DCC, you have steady AC power on the rails, and a small computer chip in each locomotive (or anything you want to control) that picks up full power all the time, and puts out power to whatever functions you have selected, such as lighting, sound in some locomotives, and obviously the motor. In this case, the decoder puts out DC power, and varies the speed and direction of the motor. With digital, you can control many (infinite with the right system combination) trains and stationary objects such as layout switches and lights all from one handheld remote, even wireless if you want. You can always add more remotes so several people can operate something all at once.
DCC greatly expands your possibilities of operating trains. The price is somewhat higher than that of traditional DC, but it is worth the extra, even if you can’ t have as much. Also, you can buy locomotives with decoders in them already, but installing your own will make you feel like you have more power over something and make the hobby more enjoyable. You’ll learn a lot too.
For more DCC information, you can either ask questions here (you’ll find out stuff quickly, and there’s a huge wealth of info here). Or you can visit www.digitrax.com they are one of the main manufacturers of DCC products, along with Lenz, Bachmann, MRC, and others. My system is Digitrax, and I like it, so that’s what I recommend, but others will often recommend what they have. It’s all personal preference.
Good luck, and welcome to the forums,
Greg
I think DCC is for Digital Command Control. A decoder is a small computer that is installed in an engine or a device like a switch machine to read digital instructions from the controler in order to do certain opperations, like go faster or turn off the lights. It is not terribly complicated but does take some learning. There are several manufacturers. I chose my brand because all the people around me had that brand and I had people to talk to. I did not enter the contest. I hope you win it.
Welcome to the forum. If you have questions, these people have answers.
Or more specifically, a decoder is an electronic circuit board that is installed in a locomotive that controls the motor, light effects and sometimes sound effects of that locomotive when it is used in conjunction with a DCC command station. If you want to read more about what DCC is there are many good refernce sites on the web including
www.litchfieldstation.com (click on the university button) or http://www.tonystrainexchange.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm
or http://www.loystoys.com/MiscHTML/dcc-topics.html
[#welcome] trainmaster12345
A decoder reads information from a command station and performs control functions to the motor and lights (and sound if equipped). The command station receives information from the throttle and passes it on to the decoder.
DCC: what it is and what it does
(click on highlighted words for link)