HO Mod SIG DCC Information

Home

About Us

Module Construction

Procedures and Reliability

Current Information

Join Us

Contact Us

DCC Issues

1. POWER DISTRICTS:
   In DCC, one could simply hook up the track wires to any part of the layout and start running. In practice it is better to divide up the layout into sections called Power Districts, to manage the currant and to isolate problems. Our system uses 5 Power Districts: "outer left," "outer right," "inner left," and "inner right" and "yard." The yard district is a automatic reversing district because of the wye."


2. SHORT LEDs
   DCC systems are very sensitive to shorts. In analog (DC) systems, the locomotive usually rolls through the short and one hardly notices it or maybe see a few sparks can be seen. With DCC systems the amperage is quite high (5 amps for HO), and a short could cause some melting of parts or even fires. Consequently DCC systems all are very sensitive to shorts and immediately shut down until the short is cleared at which time the power is automatically restored. If one's train stops or fails to start, the first suspect problem is a short. Since each Power District (see #3) has its own short LED, it is a simple matter to see if there is a short. In addition, we have an additional TOWER of LEDs above the yard that mirror the lights on the Power Box for easy viewing from anywhere. The tower LED color will reveal which of the 5 power districts are shorted and thus should be easier to locate. The locations revealed by the colors are as follows:
   TOP RED indicates a short on the RIGHT side of the wye, INNER track.
   UPPER YELLOW indicates a short on the RIGHT side of the wye, OUTER track.
   LOWER YELLOW indicates a short on the LEFT side of the wye, INNER track.
   GREEN indicates a short on the LEFT side of the wye, OUTER track.
   BLUE indicates a short in the YARD.
   These codes will be posted and don't need to be memorized.


3. POWER BOX AND LOOP MODIFICATIONS:
   We have recently (fall '06) modified the DCC wiring and Power Box. Please read this carefully to help you understand how to setup the layout and use the DCC system. The goals were to make more power districts (easier to localize shorts), remove the DC components from the Power box, and to install ammeters in the DCC system. This is more difficult to describe than to show, so ask about the changes at a show to verify what has happened Read about it here


4. CAUTION REQUIRED AFTER MODIFICATIONS:
   Since we have created two more power districts some are on the same rail. If not careful we may have a few more collisions, as some trains will stop due to the short while others on the same track will keep going. Read that "watch your back" and "watch where you are going."


5. CAB PROBLEMS (Battery timeouts):
   Probably the "assist" that I give people most often is to turn on the Cabs and how to do it (hold horn down until the LED on top blinks). It is possible to replace the timer with an on/off switch so that the cabs will not turn off spontaneously. Although this seems to be the number one problem, the group chose to leave them as is. Remember that to use the radio, it has to be turned on (horn button) and that it times out after about 4 minutes. If you press any button, the timer is reset. You should routinely press buttons or adjust the throttle to prevent time outs.


6. RESETTING LOCO CVs TO FACTORY SETTINGS
   The DECODER RESET PROCESS is used reset all the CV values to the initial factory settings on your mobile decoders. This is useful if your decoder becomes unusable or if you want to have a fresh start with the decoder. Not all decoders have CV reset functions, please refer to your owner's manual for full instructions and details on its use. Some decoders allow you to reset everything or only certain sections of the decoder (such as the speed table only, or everything except the speed table). Decoder reset is entirely handled by the decoder. This function is non-intrusive; that is, you don't have to use this feature at all. The only necessary tool to active this function is a method in which to program various CVs. The Cab (throttle) can most easily handle this on most systems, or through the use of DCC software. There is a page showing how to reset each brand decoder in the FIELD MANUAL.


7. CAB ADDRESS NUMBERS:
   Many of our members are obtaining their own Cabs and it is becoming essential that we keep a list of assigned cab numbers and have this handy so people can find out which numbers are still available. Here is some information about numbers for various cabs.


8. STATIONARY DECODERS:
   These special decoders (made by NCE, Tony's and others) can be used with DCC to operate turnouts. Sometimes called stationary decoders, they throw turnouts either straight or turned directly from the ProCabs using an address just like locomotives. They can be programmed to operate with Macros that are available on the smaller Cabs. Some of them can even use push buttons along with the Cabs making them really convenient. I think that the ones from NCE will control up to 8 turnouts. Two types are available, one for slow motion switch motors and one for twin coil motors.

Mission Statement

Promote participation, sharing, railroad history, and the NMRA/4 Div.
Entertain and inform people about the hobby.
Help charities, community organizations, and other railroad groups.

DCC Information

NMRA DCC, Introduction
NMRA beginner's overview of DCC

Wiring for DCC
Check out the DCC Topics!

Tony's Train Exchange
A very well respected commercial source with tips, information, and stuff for sale

NCE
Web site for NCE (North Coast Electronics) the DCC system that we use

Last updated:

July 22, 2007