shibushe

Used 3 so far DCC 80s  Magic.

The original Select got a panning in a German model magazine for its dodgy DCC signal.  After that Hornby improved the Select a bit sought NMRA warrants for the Elite and some decoders, so *if* NMRA warrants (and thus compliance) is your goal, the Elite is just about your only option.    Because everyone else doesn't bother with the NMRA, and hasn't bothered with them for a lot longer than a decade; you can't buy a current system from NCE, Digitrax, Lenz, Gaugemaster (who rebadge Model Rectifier Corporation stuff), or anyone else, which has a NMRA warrant.

 

However, I agree that in terms of usability, the Elite is poor, and any of the ones you list are better.   But, those four are also not that good, incredibly dated, and there are better options around.

 

 

- Nigel

Thanks Guys. I thought so. A friend ask me to ask the question, even though I knew the answer, thought would ask just in case there had been improvements. 

Whats the differance. I read somewere that one of these is not so good.

Not NMRA compliant. ?

FOUND IT. HOW DO I GET IT TO YOU. ITS FREE.

No worries. Thanks for looking.

Hi. I think I have one. If I have its yours for free. I will be back.

Sorry mate. Cant find it. Now where did I leave the wife.?

If anyone knows where to get hold of a cheap Next18 blanking plate i'd be interested in knowing where as I have a loco that requires one!  

Hi. I think I have one. If I have its yours for free. I will be back.

Happy Christmas all.

 

Perhaps an odd day to be looking for advice but could do with it none the less.

 

1. When it comes to programming loco addresses (4 digit address), some people adopt 4 of either the first 4 or last 4 numbers of the printed loco number as it's address. What is the most common, first or last?

2. Going off the above, in the example of a Voyager, example 220021, the 4th or 1st number is a Zero. What is best practice because my controller doesn't like Zero as the first number in address.

3. What CV number is it that identifies the decoder manufacturer?

 

I'm using the digitrax superchief if that makes any difference...

 

 

Many thanks & hope you all got what you were after from the big red man

Having got fed up with 2/4 digit addressing and getting in muddle in my early days of DCC. I adopted my own system. More so as the stock increased.

So  Steam is divided into two numbered sections with short numbers. IE 1 to 6 omitting 3. then 6 to 11. etc. 

The Diesels. Start at 20 to 25. 26 to 30 etc. All on a master list pinned to the wall.

Next to each Loco is what decoder is fitted and what CVs are set to what.

It works for me,

I either button press or scroll the roster.

Martyn. Your a learner like most of us at some time or other when we dip our toes into what could be a digital minefield.

Just start with the basics, don't get bogged down with all the tech stuff that will come later.

One tip that I would suggest.

When playing around with CVs write down what you have set a particular CV to against the Loco you are programming easy to forget what the last one was.

Hi Guys,

 

Being a bit of a newbie to DCC, what is the difference between DCC 128 and DCC 28 ? I model in 7mm and am using Touchcab through a Lenz system if that's any help. In the Touchcab app on my iPhone it gives you the option of 128 or 28 ?

 

Martyn.

Martyn. These are Speed Steps. The higher the number the smoother the acceleration. There is another 14. very course and not recommended.

For instance. At 28 a Loco may move at Step 1. At  128 it may move at Step 5 or more, if you see what I mean.

Or at Step 28 you will reach Maximum throttle quicker.

Go for he a Sprog,will do all you want and more.

The owner responds to problems & questions promptly.

As you can see lots of food for thought. For a start where are you ? maybe someone prepared to let you have a play.

I was in the same position as you, what system to go for.

So, go to shows see what's available and try if you can.

Digitrains/ DCC Supplies have test tracks with most control systems to try.

Can help with your problem. Except to say have had no problems whatsoever running sound with my ZTC 511.

Neither with my new 611.

Interesting to see what cures it.

If like me you want NO complications then use DCC80s Only 3 wires required. ! each to the power bus. 1 to the frog.

At £15 for a packet of three cant go wrong. ( No available from Barbers)

Find a man working down a hole in the road mending telephone cables.

See if he has a scrap length, all the colours you need, thin and for free. I did.

JST. DCC 80s work a treat. At £15 for three cant be bad. 3 wires required. 2 to the power bus, 1 to the frog.

Have used several no problems. 

Yes I know there are other means to do this, for me who hate unnecessary wring does the job.

I do so very hope that it will be possible to pay for an upgrade from the 611 to the 612 - the larger screen is the one thing that will make the biggest difference, but I do not fancy paying for a brand new jobbie after having only recently bought a 611 (albeit second hand).

 

ZTC/Taunton did this for an upgrade to the 611 from the 511, so hopefully.......EDIT - having looked at their website, I see they intend to cater for upgrades, so that's OK.

 

A pity their picture for the 612 is actually a 611. Let's hope they can provide a mock up picture of the new screen in due course.

Mike bit late replying. However from what I know the 611 will be available to upgrade.

Likewise you will be able to fit the new large screen to the 611.

This is the option I will adopt.

I doubt if anyone will be able to do the same with the old 511 unless that's upgraded first.

Also heard the casing will be a different colour ?

Haha I will certainly do that. I also have a formation when it was hauled by BR King Class No.6024 King Edward I on the Severn Valley Railway if that’s of interest to you as well. Tornado and a Duchess Of Sutherland have also Hauled it in preservation years. I plan to convert Mk2 & Mk3 coaches with the Hurst etched sides, if they ever come back into stock, once I have completed my Royal Scotsman rake

Your a braver man than me, don't think I have the skills to do a conversion. Regards.

The train changes all the time, depending on who is travelling.

A formation during 2012 was as follows, top and tailed by Class 67’s:

 

2921 Royal Household Couchette, Kitchen, Brake Van

2903 HM The Queen’s Lounge, Bedroom, Bathroom

2916 Royal Family Dining Car, Kitchen

2922 HRH The Prince of Wales Sleeping Car

2923 HRH The Prince of Wales Saloon

2917 Royal Household Dining Car

2915 Royal Household Sleeping Car

2920 Royal Household Couchette, Diesel Generator, Brake Van

 

Most times, HM The Queen wont travel without HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh, but HRH The Prince of Wales does use the train alone sometimes. Only HM The Queen, HRH The Duke Of Edinburgh, HRH The Prince of Wales, and HRH The Duchess Of Cornwall are allowed to use the train, owing to a law that parliament passed to keep the running costs down. Other members of the Royal Family may travel, but only if one of those 4 are also travelling.

 

Hurst Models always seem to be out of stock of the etched brass sides. No point emailing them about it either as they never reply.

Thank you very much. All the info I need, From NZ. Power of the web. Have a beer on me. 

I would be very surprised if they kept it in the same formation all the time. Much more likely to assemble the required coaches for each journey.

Your probably right. Have up dated my request  with Cal.n

There's been a few. The current one?

Should Have given more info. Hornby issued a Royal Train Set/Coaches etc.

Thinking of buying a formation using these coaches.

I can only find 3 models, surely there was more than that. ?

Not sure I am in the right place. The question is.

What was the formation of the Royal Train.

Screw terminal connections are DC or DCC, momentary contacts (ie panel mounted push switches) and three further connections, one labelled L, one R and one ?

http://www.gaugemaster.com/_upload/imgs/lrg/34489/GMC-PM20D.jpg

 

In the description http://www.gaugemaster.com/news/SEEP-PM20D-Surface-Mounted-Digital-Point-Motor-Available-Now

reference is made to "Resisted led output" so I would take it that's what the three further connections are and are not for switching frog polarity. The obvious answer from them will be to use also a DCC80.

 

Gets quite pricy.

DCC 80s. Under £15 for a pack of three. Use them myself. Easy to wire. And they work.

Hi, wondering if anyone has experience of using these? I am specifically interested in whether it can change the polarity of the frog on electrofrog points.

 

I have managed to find a picture of what I believe is the accessory decoder that comes with it,and can't see any connecting point for the frog wire.

 

Thanks in advance

 

Pete

Pete. You say you have an accessory decoder that came with the Point.

Is it there DCC80 ?

hi everyone

 

can anyone suggest a thin 21 pin decoder please?

 

or is there a table online showing the decoder dimensions of the various brands somewhere? I googled decoder dimensions table but nothing  g useful came up.

 

the reason i need a thin decoder is because the positioning is precariously close to the cardan shaft ... it's for a Hornby jouef x2100 railcar.

 

it just needs to control lights and motor. I don't need anything amazingly top end but obviously smoothing that gets smooth running would be nice!

 

cheers

 

 

Tim

Hi Tim. A problem. By its design the 21 pin decoders are of course big when compared with 8.

The smallest/ thinnest decoder I have come across is made by CT Electronics. 

It is possible to use a 21 to 8 pin adaptor, I don't think this will solve your space requirement.

I have a very small / thin  CT  decoder no longer wanted, you can have it for FREE if you want to fiddle with it in your situation.

From memory ( mine)  This was explained some time back.  Set the Lighting CVs to. CV49 - O. Cv50 - 16.  CV61- 1. CV 64- 15.

Check then that FO controls lighting.

Dimming.  CV 64 -  2.  This is the lowest setting. 18 being the brightest.

This programing was for a TCS Decoder, as RFS says may not work.