What DCC system should I buy?

Discussion in 'FAQ' started by klrwhizkid, Apr 6, 2009.

  1. bob_wintle

    bob_wintle Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The beacons on Bob's locomotives are the Details West RB-106 (pre-drilled), using a Miniatronics 1.2mm 1.5 volt 15ma bulb. I bleieve the decoder used was either a TCS A4X or A6X. TCS Decoders have the best lighting functions out there.
    Bob Wintle
    Parsons, Ks.
     
  2. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    Interesting..............all of my current N scale roster is DCC-capable, so installing decoders would be no problem. Except for one LL Proto, the rest are Atlas engines.

    Problem is, I have a total of 11 diesels (nine Frisco, two MoPac), so the Bachmann system may not be the one for me, based on what I've read. Not running MP is not an option, because I have a MP interchange track, allowing a local to swap cars with the Frisco on my layout and head back to staging.


    On my HCD layout, I envision three jobs:
    • a Frisco local, picking up & setting out cars, and continuing on.
    • the MP local to swap cars with the Frisco
    • the paper mill switcher (whch wil be handeled with my Frisco VO1000)
    2 locomotives on the Frisco local, 1 on the MP local, and 1 switcher. I do wish to swap out Frisco engines from time to time.

    Also, I have joined the Northeast Oklahoma N Scalers out of Tulsa, and IIRC they use Digitrak DCC on their modular layout.

    So I guess I should ask this next question: are the decoders system-dependent-that is, are they only capable of working with just one system, or can they work with different systems?:confused:

    You can probably tell I'm plumb ignernt about DCC..........:D
     
  3. friscobob

    friscobob Staff Member Staff Member Frisco.org Supporter

    As in trains suddenly taking off, going in reverse, etc. for no reason? That would almost be funny. Almost.....................:rolleyes:
     
  4. bob_wintle

    bob_wintle Member Frisco.org Supporter

    The decoders are compatible with all systems. If the group you have joined uses Digitrax then I would suggest that you go with that system. That way you will learn the club system and be able to use your throttles at both the club and home. Just so you know I have been using Digitrax for over 10 years. I use mostly TCS decoders however.
    Bob Wintle
     
  5. John Markl

    John Markl Member

    Yah, we love it when we're running straight DC, and some guy from another club comes over and asks "what channel are you guys on"........um, ONE :D
     
  6. renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013)

    renapper (Richard Napper RIP 3/8/2013) Passed away March 8, 2013

    I would say the top two systems out there are digitrax and NCE. I have used both and I settled on the NCE radio system becuase it is , IMO, easier to use and set up. I am using it on a basement sized layout with the 5 amp Pro cab and two 5 amp boosters. I have four radio controllers and two more non radio controllers.
    Richard
     
  7. HWB

    HWB FRISCO.org Supporter

    Radio throttles are great. They aren't great on batteries. A couple of rechargable 9 volts are a must if your'e going to use the Digitrax system. As a matter of fact I'm going to order a few more and an extra charger today. You can't have to many batteries
     
  8. Friscotony

    Friscotony Member

    At the Oklahoma City show, Soundtraxx was there with their large speaker system that can place the speakers UNDER the layout and will progress sound along the track as your unit passes by. I do not really understand the complete working of it, but I understand you do not need sound decoders in each unit, but that their system will pick up the unit by having it addressed to the master. At the current price of a good sound decoder, their $600 cost does not sound too out of place. So, is this worth studing. While not a "which system" do I use question, it does tie in.
     
  9. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    The DSP-80 system from Soundtraxx requires transponding decoders to be installed in the locomotives (a maximum of six locomotives that the sound will follow), block detection on up to six blocks of track, with up to six speakers installed under the layout. Multiple DSP-80 systems must be used to accomodate more than six locomotives/blocks/speakers (at $595.00 each). The system does not include decoders, block detection devices, nor speakers.

    Link to their literature: http://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/surroundtraxx data sheet.pdf

    Cost for six locomotive transponding decoders (in addition to the motion decoders), 1 DSP-80 system, 1 Digitrax BDL-168, 2 Digitrax RX-4: about $880.00, not counting under-layout speakers.

    I will put my money into Tsunami sound decoders. For about $800.00 I can put sound in nine locomotives.

    I do understand that by using under-layout speakers, you can get tremendous sound - I have heard this just by connecting a Tsunami decoder output to an amplifier and a real good speaker - it will blow you away.

    I don't want this to be taken as a knock against Soundtraxx - I am a HUGE fan and proponent of their products - I just want to simply the understanding of what the DSP-80 system will do and what it will cost.
     
  10. Ozarktraveler

    Ozarktraveler Member

    Good stuff...
     
  11. Friscotony

    Friscotony Member

    Keith, thanks for the input, that was what I was hoping for. WOW, remember how simple running trains used to be, just a bunch of wires and blocks and block controls, Yuk.
     
  12. klrwhizkid

    klrwhizkid Administrator Staff Member Administrator Frisco.org Supporter

    OKAY, after tonight I now have quite a bit of first hand experience with EasyDCC thanks to exposure to and assisting multiple individuals with their EasyDCC systems.

    I feel compelled to post some important information regarding EasyDCC.

    1) With EasyDCC, if you want maximum performance of a wireless system, you need 1 receiver for every throttle (maximum 8 throttles).
    2) It is possible to use 1 receiver with a maximum of eight wireless throttles, but response to the throttles will drop some.
    3) In the above modes, the receiver is scanning a maximum of eight frequencies (1 per throttle) in SCAN Mode.
    4) To go above 8 wireless throttles, at least some will have to communicate with a receiver in BURST Mode and you will have to have at least two receivers.
    5) In Scan Mode, the response of the locomotive to the wireless throttle is what one would expect.

    Regardless, once you go beyond 14 wireless throttles, all wireless throttles will have to operate in Burst Mode, but the system can "function" with a maximum of 56 wireless throttles using a maximum of 7 receivers - all throttles operating in Burst Mode.

    One particular owner had significant difficulty understanding the setup of the throttles and receivers, so I sat down and started reading all of the available EasyDCC literature to decipher the instructions. I have been building, working with, and setting up desktop computers since before the IBM PC, but I had to spend quite a bit of time trying to help figure out how to set up his system to use 10 wireless throttles (and apparently did still did not get it right).

    UPDATE 12/18/2010 - The owner that was having problems called CVP and after spending some time talking to "Al", he was given instructions how to set up his system (the supplied/downloaded printed instructions are not easy to decipher). After following Al's instructions, he reports that everything appears to be operating as desired but he reserves final judgement until after his next operating session.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 18, 2010

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