DC to DCC 101

[WrathofWotan]

As a new subscriber, I have a question about the track voltage for N scale. What would be the best way to achieve the drop in voltage from 13+ to 10-12 volts. BTW, I'm not what you could call a whiz at electrics.

[IMRROcom]

@WrathofWotan:Thanks, Your system should have some way to drop the voltage. I do have a video on how to drop the voltage for an NCE Power Pro. But you needed to find out how you do it for your system. It is not the same for all. If your running sound locos you might as well keep the voltage the same or closr to 12 volts. If you find that you have no over hed to adjust your speed tables then you should look at lowering your track voltage. I do have video for speed tables too.

[BuckHunter613]

On my layout i only have a small dc controller, can i run regular dc trains with a bigger dcc controller?

[IMRROcom]

@BuckHunter613: It is not a good ideat to run the DC and the DCC at the same time. som DCC controlers let you run 1 DCC loco too. I do not think it is a Good idea, Just keep your DC locos of you DCC tracks.

[csgaraglino]

What is the Voltage/Amp board (not the test meter) that you have there?

[IMRROcom]

@csgaraglino: It is called a ramp meter. Look up Tony's Train on the web. He sells them.

[ToaCelon549]

Have you ever used the E-Z Command DCC system by Bachmann? It can only control 9 locomotives on it's own. (10 when you add a DC Controller) I think it's really simple and fun to use.

[IMRROcom]

@ToaCelon549: I find the EZ Command from Bachmann a limited system. It is ok for a starter system but as your layout grows you will become frustrated with it.

[ToaCelon549]

@IMRROcom Well, I myself will keep myself limited in terms of how many engines I'm using. I will only use up to five engines at on time.

[stationmaster12]

I have a 2' x 8' N scale layout using Atlas code 65 true track. How many n scale locos can I run using the MRC Prodigy Express system give or take. I don't have sound decoders on any of my locos, but I'd like to have some. Thanks!

[IMRROcom]

@stationmaster12: I'm thinking the MRC Prodigy is 3 amps, so if each engine draws about .33 amps yout looking at 9 engines running at one time. I would run up to 3/4 system capacity or less. 5 to 7 engines at one time should be ok. At this point you should start to look at boosters, I do not know what MRC has for boosters, Sorry. Some Non OEM Co. do have booster that can be used with other systems. But NCE and Digitrax are the big Ones then Lenz and Easy.

[Finisherdrummer3]

Could you recommend a good dcc unit that would run two separate lines?

I am building my first layout in n scale, should sound be important or do I have other options aside from getting deep into the whole dcc/sound decoder stuff?

Imo n-scale sound is a bit "small" (no pun intended) when you compare it to larger scales.

Awesome video btw. Subscribed!!

[IMRROcom]

@Finisherdrummer3 : I would stick with the Name brands like NCE. as for sound,  do not worry about it. I have some sound engines and most I turn of the sound. Just do not sound good.

[Finisherdrummer3]

@IMRROcom Thanks!!! I hope to post videos of my layout in the coming future!

[Finisherdrummer3]

@IMRROcom Have you heard anything good about the Bachman EZ system?

[POWERWAGON79]

what dcc will work on a BLi PRR Q2? Im a newbie to DCC and dont have aton of money to blow..what to know if that mrc would work?think it got 38 funtions to it?

[IMRROcom]

@POWERWAGON79 : Not sure about the engine you have but if it is DCC and sound the MRC should be fine for a small layout

[pyronathanpyro]

the atlas one the 2 digit one is now produced by lenz dcc

[JBILL2228]

Could you run more then one DCC controller on a layout? Would that allow you to double the trains and accessories? Not that you would have 19,998 trains but is that possible or are you stuck with just the one controller? Thanks!!!

[IMRROcom]

@JBILL2228: No, You need to add boosters. You only need one master controler.

[trackspike64]

what do u know about the atlastmaster dcc i need to know how to set up a consist can u help

[IMRROcom]

@trackspike64: it can be done. There is a old and new version of the AtlasMaster and both are real old now. If your AtlasMaster did not have how to consit in the instructions the odds are good you can not do constiing with it. I think there might be a way to do constiing by programing the CV's on there own but it has been years. Maybe 10 or more from the last time I had My atlas DCC system hooked up. I would say you might be better off to buy yourself a NCE PowerCab or MRC hand held.

[Ibucfio]

Thankyou and yes it's hard to fly at or field with the kids. If you come To Las Vegas ,nv come out to Bennett field and ask for Dan and I will Hook you up to a buddy box to get you back in the air. Every weekend

[IMRROcom]

@Ibucfio: Thanks

[Ibucfio]

So it works like my airplane receivers on 2.4 ghz with radio system I'm an r/c plane guy but I always loved trains and pretty much any hobby that keeps us young but I have a little n scale me and kids where playing w/and I remember you can't put two locos on same track with transformer so I wanted to know what you guys use and I think you just showed me.

Thanks

[IMRROcom]

@Ibucfio: Yes, you could say DCC works like an R/C plane. You have 9999 freqs you can use for just the train engines. You have some 2000 for things on the layout like lights and turnouts etc. I have not flow my planes in years. R/C and samll kids do not work. You look up at the plane or down at the kids. If you can do both at the same time you are awsom. If not one or the other will be doing somthing you do not want them to do and more than likely both at the same time.

[williamfriggle]

Great videos. I subscribed.

[IMRROcom]

@williamfriggle: thanks

;

[gtacrusher123]

give or take you must love saying that

[IMRROcom]

@gtacrusher123: Hear, hear  Quite So , quite so

[gtacrusher123]

@IMRROcom i might think of going dcc but everyone says get it straight away but i am going to stay dc untill the layout is finished then i might dish out some money for decoders and the hornby dcc controler

[ninjaofmadness]

the throttle wheele, is it a smooth wheel or a click-turn sorta thing, PLEASE REPLY thanks

[IMRROcom]

@ninjaofmadness: smooth

[MrMuddshovel]

what about turn out control with dcc system which one and best for it rather than a DC turnout control panel ?

[IMRROcom]

@MrMuddshovel I have a video in the works that will use the tortoise switch machines and NCE Switch-It, NCE Switch-8 and NCE Mini Panel. Just have not posted them yet. The video still needs a little editing to fix a few problems with the video. But it will be up soon

[MrMuddshovel]

@IMRROcom I'm looking forward to that one more and more thinking about NCE as new cab controller

if it does both turnouts and loco control .

[santoro2020]

Can you run both a decoded train and a regular train on the same track normally?

[IMRROcom]

@santoro2020 Some systems let you do that, 1 DC loco only, But it's nt good for the DC Locos it will buzz etc.  I know that NCE does not have DC operation on it's systems. The old Atlas Commander does. Digitrax is unkown if it has DC operations.

[atsf3415dbr]

@IMRROcom NCE does have DC control, you have to set a CV.

[IMRROcom]

@atsf3415dbr NCE decoders will run on DC. He is talking about runig a DC only loco on a DCC system and NCE will not do that.

[JATO457]

@IMRROcom bachmann's ezcommand (Not Dynamis) system allows a single DC loco

[slidream]

hello can i ask .can i run two line. a inner and outer oval of kato n scale. with the powercab. and if so how thanks.

[IMRROcom]

@slidream Yes you can run inner and outer loops. Just maintain track polarity (Blue wire North Rail/inside rail, White wire south rail/outside rail, or what ever your wiring plan is). and hook up your feeders to both loops. DCC will work just fine for this.

Look up the videos on feeders and DCC you might find some good tips in them.

[resiggy13]

I notice that your NCE Power Cab was showing amp readings on the top right of the LCD display. My PowerCab shows the system fast clock and I can't seem to find a way to toggle the display over to the amp display. How do you do that?

[IMRROcom]

@resiggy13 It's in the manul, I'm not sure of the location.

Page57/PDF page 59

SET UP THE CAB PARAMETERS

(Shortcut = PROG 6)

SHOW TRACK CURRENT:

Press “1” to enable the display of current being supplied to the main running track by

the system when in normal operations mode. Current display will be cancelled by

programming on the main, using the program track, or cycling the system power.

[resiggy13]

@IMRROcom Doh... I was searching through the manual looking for the keyword "Amp" when I should have been looking for "current". After not finding that, I looked through for a picture of the display showing the word "amp" but that isn't in there either. Obviously, I needed to read it word for word. ha. Anyway, thank you very much for the quick response. And, thanks for posting your videos. Over the last 2 days I've watched and enjoyed every single one of them. Robert

[IMRROcom]

@resiggy13

YuckTube will not let me post the link for the PDF.

Put this (nce power cab manual) into Google to fine the PF manul for the PowerCab

[trackspike64]

Hello I have the atlasmaster you showed and i was wondering if you have a video on how to ues that alittle more i have alot invested in it so could u show me how the features work on it like cosisting and changing hte cv.s on the engien like voltage settings and stuff ....

[IMRROcom]

@trackspike64 Sorry about this maybe a later video but myatlasmaster is boxed. I think you will find the a NCE PowerCab or MRC Prodigy Advanced would be a better choice at this time.  or evan a DigiTrax.

[ibiubuok]

Very helpful and very nicely done video! Thanks for your help and opinion. Keep up the great work.