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
DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
grovenor-2685 wrote:Try https://www.merg.org.uk/download/chapter/9
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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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
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
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
Nigel Cliffe - Blog of various mostly model making topics
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
I concur that Davy Dick's eBook could be considered an essential read, by way of introduction to DCC.
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.
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
The man who never made a mistake
never made anything useful
The man who never made a mistake
never made anything useful
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
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.
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)
(Not all railways in Somerset went to Dorset)
Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
grovenor-2685 wrote:Try https://www.merg.org.uk/download/chapter/9
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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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
Just remember that there are only 2 wires.
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires.
In your dreams
LesG
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires.
There are four just on the chip I fitted last night! [1]
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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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
Paul Willis wrote:Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires.
There are four just on the chip I fitted last night!
Cheers
Paul
Clearly not trying on use of wires...
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.
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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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
All from just two wires ......... fascinating!
Terry
Terry
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Re: DCC - current reading to help a complete novice
LesGros wrote:Penrhos1920 wrote:Just remember that there are only 2 wires.
In your dreams
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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