What is the difference on turn tables?

Model Railroader Layouts and layout building
1

I am running all DCC and was wondering what is the difference with DC and DCC turn tables?Do I have to get a DCC turn table?

2

The DC vs. DCC issue for turntables is only in the control – that is, moving the turntable. DC turntables can’t be controlled by a DCC controller, but they still handle DCC-equipped locomotives fine.

So it’s perfectly fine to use a DC turntable with DCC locos, you’ll just need to use another means to control the turntable. Often, that’s just a reversing switch to move the turntable in one direction or the other, lining up the tracks by eye (which works fine).

Or some folks use an indexing system that aligns with tracks automatically. More sophisicated, a little more complex, pricier.

But plain old DC turntables work fine, with either DC or DCC locos.

Byron

3

Thanks for the reply. I have seen a lot of turntables on Ebay that are DC and they turn with a little motor.Is that connected to the DC power pack.

4

Depends on the voltage required by a specific turntable motor. You may be able to use the auxiliary leads from the main DC power pack, a separate “wall wart” DC supply, or a low-end and/or second-hand DC power pack dedicated to the control of the turntable. The latter is sometimes helpful so that you can vary the voltage to the turntable so that it turns at an acceptable speed and less noisily.