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Discussion Boards => N => Topic started by: pamardon on April 27, 2009, 06:54:18 PM

Title: How to convert to DCC??
Post by: pamardon on April 27, 2009, 06:54:18 PM
what do you need to convert to DCC??
do you need a DCC station? I mean some special track section??
or just plugging  the DCC controller will do??
Title: Re: How to convert to DCC??
Post by: taz-of-boyds on April 27, 2009, 11:10:49 PM
Pamardon,

The basic stuff is a DCC controller in place of the DC controller, and a DCC decoder installed in the locomotives.  What kind of train setups do you have now?

Charles
Title: Re: How to convert to DCC??
Post by: jwoj69 on April 29, 2009, 12:42:00 AM
it's simple. You need DCC controller and each engine needs to have a DCC decoder. For start, just buy one engine with decoder installed (not dcc ready, all that means is tha the engine is easy to modify, it does not have decoder included). For DCC controller, Bachmann EZ Command is the cheapest and simplest to use. For most small layouts, all You have to do is unplug Your old DC controller and replace it with DCC controller. Good idea is to clean contacts and the track, just in case.
jack

Title: Re: How to convert to DCC??
Post by: ecarfar on April 30, 2009, 11:55:52 AM
Quote from: pamardon on April 27, 2009, 06:54:18 PM
what do you need to convert to DCC??
do you need a DCC station? I mean some special track section??
or just plugging the DCC controller will do??

If you already have a layout using the old block method of train control, it's not too difficult to convert.  You simply tie all of your blocks together and hook them up the the dcc power supply.  You then cannot run your old locos on the track unless you convert each of them (if you can, not all can be converted) to dcc.  Now, if you have a reversing loop on your layout, that's another story....