Earl Bathurst Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 I am in the process of moving from 00 to 0 gauge. I have a few locos and will chip them over the next few weeks. I have used dcc for 00 for a few words but never in 0. What system would be best suited for running 0 gauge. I will be running a maximum of 2 engines at anyone time. Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
3 link Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Lenz, been around a long time now, totally reliable but maybe not the easiest to get use to nowadays. Martyn. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted December 7, 2014 Share Posted December 7, 2014 Happily using Lenz system 100, upgraded to v3.6. I have added a USB/LAN interface and use a Roco Multimaus as a handset. The Maus is easier to use, but the Lenz system architecture and programming capability is excellent, if fiddly. I have a JMRI interface linked to the USB interface, and also use my iphone as a throttle (mainly to annoy my son when he's watching the football) I intend to keep this arrangement, and will add a few more Multimice as they become available second hand. Btw, I do not use accessory decoders for points & signals, only for loco control - but these systems will do this if you want. HTH Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-UnitMad Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I use an NCE Powercab. Fine for one or two locos, smaller single motor types. I do use an NCE Booster with it as well though, as I have several twin-motor locos, some with sound. Smaller O motors can take an HO chip, too, especially if they're only going to potter around a Shunty-Plank. Digitrax do a 1.5Amp decoder (DH126) which is very useful although it only has two light functions. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simond Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 All my locos have standard "HO" decoders Biggest motor is a crailcrest in a 52xx 2-8-0 but most are coreless maxxon, canon or portescap types No issues with this at all, but others have had some problems Best Simon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
66C Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I am in the process of moving from 00 to 0 gauge. I have a few locos and will chip them over the next few weeks. I have used dcc for 00 for a few words but never in 0. What system would be best suited for running 0 gauge. I will be running a maximum of 2 engines at anyone time. Any advice would be most helpful. Thanks Scott Hi Scott If you already have a DCC system - just use it for 0 gauge. No need to invest in another system. Regards. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted December 8, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2014 If you already have a DCC system - just use it for 0 gauge. No need to invest in another system. That's my view. And if your O Gauge locos are modern, then they probably don't use appreciably more current than OO ones, so special beefed-up decoders may not be needed. The system will soon tell you if it's struggling for power, in which case add a booster. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill Dyson (onslaught832) Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 That's my view. And if your O Gauge locos are modern, then they probably don't use appreciably more current than OO ones, so special beefed-up decoders may not be needed. The system will soon tell you if it's struggling for power, in which case add a booster. The exception to that is Heljan RTR loco's which can have very high power consumption, usually around 2 to 2.5amps Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Earl Bathurst Posted December 8, 2014 Author Share Posted December 8, 2014 I was in the process of using the gaugemaster prodigy for 00 gauge. I suppose that will be fine for my 0 gauge? I have a few Heljan locos also. Scott Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81A Oldoak Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I use a Gaugemaster Prodigy on my Cwm Bach layout. However, I was helping Chaz Harrison to operate his Dock Green layout at a show in Portsmouth recently and was using a Lenz 100 handset. Although an older style, I found it much easier to use the one-handed Lenz push button controller than the two-handed knob on the Gaugemaster. I am thinking about replacing my newer system with the older one. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeg Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I use the Prodigy and all the heljans run fine, even the early class 47 only draws 2amps and the Prodigy has 3 available. Also the club I belong to have a new Prodigy and that has run three Heljans, 2 class 20's and a class 55 all with sound so carry on using the set you are used to. regards mike g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Gilbert Posted December 8, 2014 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 8, 2014 The exception to that is Heljan RTR loco's which can have very high power consumption, usually around 2 to 2.5amps I use an NCE Powercab but with a relatively inexpensive booster from Digitrains purchased when I too realised my Heljan Hymek withHowes sound was going nowhere with standard NCE. Interestingly my Heljan 40 with a Zimo sound chip could not be programmed on the NCE and I had to dig out the Lenz system for that. My Lenz system has no problems with any of the locos. Chris Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
81b Posted December 8, 2014 Share Posted December 8, 2014 I'm using a prodigy system with no problems. Regards. Mark. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Hi, All of the above are great systems, with initially, the Prodigy being based on the likes of the NCE Powercab et al.,if you already have eg. a 3 amp rated system and appropriate Transformer then you need do no more... I have a Digitrax system (rated at 3 amp with a transformer to match), which, whilst a little more pricey than those mentioned above (by others), has a lot of functionality (more than I will ever need) and is not the most expensive system on the market (IIRC Digitrax also do a 5amp system now too, including IR and RC etc etc). Have a think about Circuit-Breakers and power-districts etc too - dependant on the size/type of layout. As Phill mentioned, Heljan RTR diesels have a high amperage and in that regard are a bit of a chore when it comes to DCC. Of course you could go for RC!? ATVB CME Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phill Dyson (onslaught832) Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 Of course you could go for RC!? ATVB CME That's my chosen path, but we face the same power consumption problems with Heljans ........no regrets abandoning track power though Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CME and Bottlewasher Posted December 9, 2014 Share Posted December 9, 2014 That's my chosen path, but we face the same power consumption problems with Heljans ........no regrets abandoning track power though Hi Phill, Agreed - I can almost see a time when Heljan gears/motors could be replaced in some of my locos to help ease this problem (or perhaps the locos sold on and kit-builts in their place if time, energy and money permits). I have always liked RC - but kinda thought that DCC would be the way to go and my other half kindly bought me a Digitrax set up for a significant birthday - and have been using RC for models for 35 or more years. With our H&BLR we have several RC locos (battery/electric and live steam) as well as some free-runners (battery/electric and live steam) and I like RC for railways, because, like DCC, one is driving the loco/train and not the track (so to speak). When I have my hand and eye in - it takes awhile when away from the models for any amount of time - I can shunt with certain live steam locos such is the level of control possible with RC. From a practical POV, getting something up and running quickly (eg when an unexpected visitor arrives and would like to see something running - immediately) without having to clean the track is a real boon. But as you will know with a garden railway, and on the H&BLR, we have to, in effect, 'walk the line' and then send out an old faithful (heavy battery powered loco) to test the track before a running session as the weather and wildlife leave their mark from time to time. ATVB CME Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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