I just purchased a new Spectrum DCC Peter Witt street car . I am using it on my DC system .This is my first ever DCC powered unit .When I first turn it on it only will move slow . After it warms up it runs faster but always takes more power than other Bachmann PCC street cars . Is this normal for operating DCC on DC ? Thanks for your input . Art
Quote from: HOART on March 07, 2013, 07:28:11 PM
I just purchased a new Spectrum DCC Peter Witt street car . I am using it on my DC system .This is my first ever DCC powered unit .When I first turn it on it only will move slow . After it warms up it runs faster but always takes more power than other Bachmann PCC street cars . Is this normal for operating DCC on DC ? Thanks for your input . Art
Yes it is normal.
The microprocessor electronics on the decoder require at least five volts just to wake up and maybe a couple more volts for the motor to respond. A motor connected right to the track starts at a much lower voltage. One thing very few, if any, DCC manufactures will mention. If they do, many miss it.
The NMRA knew this would happen when they designed DCC as they knew there would be many who would not to want to buy a DCC controller and everyone was very familiar with operating trains will a DC power pack.
Below is a block diagram of a typical non sound decoder. For right now, ignore the cap, diode, resistor.
(http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l267/richg1998/DCC/Keepalive.jpg)
Rich