I have a Digitrax system that I have been working with for a while. It seems to me that it would be helpful if I had a degree in electrical engineering and computer technology? I am having problems programing locomotives, creating power districts, and operating a turntable. I am wondering if there is a more user friendly system for those of us who are not electronically gifted.[:$]
[:#][sigh]
Which Digitrax system do you have?
What decoders are you trying to program? How are you trying to program them? Where are you running into brick walls?
What does creating power districts have to do with the specific DCC system? It doesn’t.
What does operating a turntable have to do with the specific DCC system? It doesn’t.
David B
I would suggest trying one thing at a time. Pick something and post it here and we’ll walk you through it. When you learn it, repeat several times so you can comit it to memory.
As noted earlier though which system and controller are you using?
Digitrax hard to operate? I have a Zephyr and I find it easier to use than my old Bachmann system.
JW, you must be a Genius.
David B
Creation of power districts is nothing to do with the DCC command station you are using. The basic concept of breaking up a layout into power districts and then providing power is fundamentally the same regardless of the DCC system you are using. In fact the devices you use to create power districts don’t even have to be Digitrax, even if you are using a Digitrax DCC system.
Likewise turntable control. What control system are you using to run your turntable? Perhaps you are struggling with auto reversing? which has more to do with the wiring design of the turntable, and nothing to do with the DCC system.
So these two issues will not be impacted at all by changing DCC system. As for locomotive programming, what issues are you having? Brand of decoders etc?
Oh no. Not again.
Yet another post on the “best” DCC system.
The answer is NCE.
Rich
I don’t know, I may be. I’m familiar with hexadecimal because I used to program computers back when 640k was a big thing. I also built many of my circuit boards from scratch. I also have a very high IQ. It could be any of those or all three. Anyway I found the Digitrax manuals to be very light reading and somewhat entertaining but the plot is a little thin.
Actually if you ask a bunch of different people you’ll get a bunch of different answers with no or very, very few definitive answers other than what they like and are familiar with. If you ask someone who has used the NCE system extensively and other systems to a minimal degree (probably while looking for their NCE) they will say NCE without a second thought. The same goes for someone who uses a Digitrax system extensively or an MRC system, etc. Only when you come across someone who has used all the systems to close to an equal degree can they give you an unbiased answer based on their experience. Simple answer? The viewpoint you’ll get from the people you ask will be based on what system they are most familiar with.
Yes NCE is not bad, I have a NCE Power Cab since January 2008 and find it OK. I also own a Digitrax Zephyr since 2001 and this is the system powering my modules under construction.
I also use a Digitrax 8 amps. Super Chief Radio at the club since 1999 and enjoy it very much. This is not all, I also use a NCE PH Pro 10 amps tethered since 1999 and find it delivers as expected. So after 13 years using DCC I have yet to know which is the best system.
I wonder just how much simpler it is to program oh let’s see…
How about all 28 speed steps. Just trying to see how much simpler that would be for me if I ran out and purchased an NCE rig. One CV at a time, no cheating with JMRI allowed.
Martin Myers
Hi!
While you re-opened a question that has been around the horn here many, many times, it has never - and IMHO will never - be resolved. There are obviously some systems better than others, and Digitrax is one of those.
I really was shy about jumping into DCC after 50 plus years of DC operation. I ended up with Digitrax, although it was a toss-up against NCE (I think it was Digitrax’s pretty grey cases that swayed me).
Setting up a programming track is very easy, and programming the basics into locos is really not hard at all. But, it is not something many of us can do every couple of weeks are remember exactly how to do it.
The thing is, with DCC one has to learn to walk before they can run. Believe me, I know. And yes, the Digitrax manual is somewhat complicated and filled with stuff. What I ended up doing is translating various programming tasks into easy (for me) language that I readily understand. Stuff like putting in 2 or 4 digit I.D. numbers, setting up consists, adjusting sound levels, and so on each has their own step by step instructions without all the “extra words”. That may sound silly to some, but it does work for me.
I also recommend picking up a couple of the Kalmbach DCC books - and reading them, over and over. And, start your set up at the bottom, and when you do have a problem, ask the Forum.
Oh, I didn’t address your turntable issue as I have not messed with that (or reverse loops), but I understand there is a “reverser” that automatically eradicates the electrical problem with those two configurations.
ENJOY !!!
I be appreciative if you could explain exactly what you mean by this. Are you saying that JMRI cannot interface with NCE?
Thanks
I dont have DCC but have run several DCC layouts and i think Digitrax To Me is the best.
I have found that there are some extremely knowledgeable and helpful people at this site. Most if not all are willing to assist with any question posed. I cannot help you because I am a strict DC only guy. However, I have been in model railroading since…well…a lot longer than I care to mention, and the one thing I have found in all my years being in this hobby and the others I engage in is never overlook the gift of the printed word. I have countless books in my library explaining every aspect of model railroading; some of theses books and magazines date back decades. Some are more relevent than others but all of them provide me with some sort of guide to help me through this diverse hobby.
Take a trip down to your local hobby shop and persuse the book shelf. My local hobby shop operator doesn’t care how long I look at the books and magazines on his shelf because he knows at some point I am going to purchase something keeping him in business. And just about every hobby shop owner is willing to provide any assistance in choosing a DCC system because he sells them and he knows from feedback from his customers, which ones are the ones to get. Make friends with those guys and they will always be there to help you. That is my two cents.
-Paul
Instead of just saying (insert brand) is best, or saying what you don’t like about (insert system) … why not state the positive aspects of the system you do like ?
The original poster or anyone else for that matter isn’t going to get much of anything out of a thread that bashes the “other guys” and gives no positive input as to why they prefer the system they do. A person is more apt to make a better decision on a product based on the positive aspects as well.
To be perfectly honest, basing your decision on what DCC system to purchase based on a bunch of online comments really isn’t the best approach. You need to experience them first hand. How does the controller feel in your hand - do you like the button layout on the throttle - etc. Also, what system do the majority of the modellers in your area use ? - this could be a big help if you ever have problems. If everyone in your area is using ABC and you buy XYZ, might be kind of tough to get someone to stop by and help with any problems.
It all comes down to brand loyalty - no different than the car manufacturers. They all do the same thing - they just have different buttons and different looks.
Mark.
Nope. NCE interfaces quite nicely with NCE.
The OP expressed his frustration with programming.
My point is that when it comes to bare bones CV programming other then simple addressing, no system will be much easier than another without the help of additional computer software like JMRI/DecoderPro.
Using only the parts that come with any capable system, one will have to enter programming mode, enter the CV number, enter the desired value for the CV, then write it to the decoder. Repeat 27 more times. In the case of a 28 step speed table a change to CV29 would also be required to turn the speed table on. Every system will require these steps. The name on the button or display may be different but it won’t change the process. JMRI definitely makes things easier because it will program all 28 CV’s at once and even turn on the table in CV29. But that is just as easy on any system that works with JMRI.
Martin Myers
I think the best DCC system is the one that can do what you need it to do when you purchase it, do what you want it to when you want to expand it, and will result in the least amount of discarded equipment when that upgrade comes.
Comrad, I think you have brilliantly answered this topic once and for all, now and forever! You’ve said it better than any of us have ever tried before. Bravo.[bow]
Moderator, consider this topic asked and answered. Lock it up.
-Paul