DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Discuss your experiences with systems, decoders, installations, wiring, control and any general hints & tips you have found.
Terry

DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Terry » Thu Apr 15, 2021 8:34 pm

Hi,
Can anyone recommend a decent current book as an introduction to the whole DCC scene. Just need something to get me up and running in understanding the basics, and how things all hang together! I've seen a few out there, just need some seasoned guidance.
Thanks
Terry

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grovenor-2685
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby grovenor-2685 » Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:00 pm

Regards
Keith
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Paul Willis
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Paul Willis » Thu Apr 15, 2021 9:25 pm



I've downloaded that recently. Recommended. Just the right balance of plain language and technical explanation, for me at least.

HTH
Paul
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nigelcliffe
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby nigelcliffe » Fri Apr 16, 2021 7:30 am

Its a good introduction.

But won't answer "what DCC system should I buy, and which should I avoid". That's a bit of a moving target, and comes down to a mixture of aims, personal preferences(*), and budgets.
I think things have moved a little over the last five years, and what I'd recommend today has shifted due to new product launches from some makers and lack of updates from some others.


(* Different controllers (throttles) feel different in the hand, and have subtle differences in how they send control instructions. That leads to different perceptions and there are personal preferences as to which is best. ).


- Nigel

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LesGros
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby LesGros » Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:11 am

I concur that Davy Dick's eBook could be considered an essential read, by way of introduction to DCC. :thumb
As Nigel says, deciding which system is a matter of the choices one makes about controlling the railway.

There is now a bewildering choice of Systems. For an indication about what is currently available try here: http://www.dcctrainautomation.co.uk.

Rocrail is worth considering for PC based layout control and monitoring, along with JMRI.

For Rocrail command station compatibility see: https://wiki.rocrail.net/doku.php?id=en ... d_stations.
LesG

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Tim V
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Tim V » Fri Apr 16, 2021 9:20 am

Back in the old days, PECO used to run a DCC day down at Beer, you could try all the manufacturer's systems. Then sound came out (the last year I went) - it was deafening in there!

There is no substitute for hands-on experience of DCC, once things return to some normality, look at systems on other layouts, ask questions.
Tim V
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)

Terry

Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Terry » Fri Apr 16, 2021 11:14 am


Thanks Keith. Looks like what I need to get my brain cells started!
I'll follow up the other suggestions also.
Terry

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Penrhos1920
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Penrhos1920 » Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:24 pm

Just remember that there are only 2 wires. :D

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LesGros
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby LesGros » Fri Apr 16, 2021 1:33 pm

Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires. :D


In your dreams :D
LesG

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Paul Willis
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Paul Willis » Fri Apr 16, 2021 5:52 pm

Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires. :D


There are four just on the chip I fitted last night! [1]

IMG_7926.JPG


Cheers
Paul

[1] The updates of the 48xx blog are running a few days behind real life. <sigh> I have free time to model, or to post, but seemingly not both!
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nigelcliffe
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby nigelcliffe » Fri Apr 16, 2021 6:49 pm

Paul Willis wrote:
Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires. :D


There are four just on the chip I fitted last night!

Cheers
Paul



Clearly not trying on use of wires...

IMG_20210407_223502011_HDR.jpg


At least eight wires: pickups, motor, decoder to stay-alive charging circuit, charging circuit to capacitor bank (5*470uF). Plus the wires connecting the capacitors within the bank together....

First shot before all insulation added, still checking space for everything.

IMG_20210408_131526361_HDR.jpg


The wires around/above the motor are there to make it easier to disconnect stuff should I need to later. Its a trade-off between "looks really neat inside" and "actually its a lot quicker to disconnect". There's plenty of room as the motor is one size smaller than the kit was designed around, and rotated so the pole magnets are horizontal, so there's a lot of vertical space (lot = one or two mm). The motor isn't "fully down" in this shot, in reality it sits horizontally.

Yes, the wires and other gubbins are worth it: the stay-alive gives it 1/4 inch at slow speed over dead track, 1 inch at higher speeds, tested by bit of paper over rails. So, loco shouldn't stall or stutter in normal use.

Video of it running here : https://youtu.be/QH1vu5nTlTU

I'm even slower than Paul - this one has a receipt from 2008 in the kit box.

- Nigel
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Terry

Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Terry » Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:14 am

All from just two wires ......... fascinating!

Terry

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Paul Townsend
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice

Postby Paul Townsend » Sat Apr 17, 2021 10:58 am

LesGros wrote:
Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires. :D


In your dreams :D

My partners in modelling are not electric savvy and easily overwhelmed.
I always tell them that each circuit has only 2 wires.....out and back. Yes there are many circuits on a model railway but you only need consider one at a time.


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