DCC Topic Ideas
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- Analog
- Control of Locos (address 00)
- DCC standards allow one Analog (de-coder-less) locomotive to run on a Digital layout. The technological magic behind this trick is explained elsewhere, but it allows you to keep running one engine from your fleet of Analog engines while using Digital control.
- Much discussion can be found about the pros and cons of running an Analog engine under Digital power.
- The main argument "pro" is that it allows an Analog engine to run under Digital control-- speed settings work, 1 Analog and multiple Digital engines can share the track.
- The "con" side has a lot more in its favor--
- Analog engines brought to a halt may BuzzzzzZZ and potentially overheat.
- I believe someone mentioned a halted Analog engine 'quivering' as it tried to use the Digital signal to go forward and backwards at the same time
- I believe that some types of motor (coreless motors) {help appreciated here!} can be damaged if run under Digital control without a decoder.
- Analog motors do not LIKE Digital power, although some will tolerate it rather well.
- Precautions-- if you run an Analog engine on Digital power, DO NOT let it sit still for more than a few minutes (if that), lest it overheat and melt the plastic!
- Conversion
- Function Settings
- Zero Stretching
- Control of Locos (address 00)
- Auto Reversing
- Block Detection
- Booster
- Color Coded Wires
- Command Station
- Common Rail Wiring see Wiring
- Computer Interfacing
- Conventional DC Control
- CV Bit Manipulation
- DC Braking Sections
- DCC
- Decoders
- Accessory Decoders (Stationary)
- Accessory Decoders (Mobile)
- Locomotive Decoders
- Sound Decoders
- Switch Decoders
- Default Address (address 03)
- Many decoders and decoder-equipped locomotives (DigiTrax for sure; is this an NMRA standard?) are shipped from the factory with address '03' pre-selected. This allows you to open the box, plop the engine on the track, and run it around the layout by simply selecting address '03' on your throttle.
- Of course, since -every- decoder comes with address '03' pre-programmed, only one brand-new engine can be on the rails at once! If you want to run more than one, you'll have to program a different address.
- Of course, of course, if you want to run these multiple engines as a consist, you can leave them programmed with address '03.'
- This will, of course, of course, of course, still cause problems with the -next- new engine! So, address '03' is best used for that first out-of-the-box thrill ride!
- Note-- because a decoder has a factory pre-set address, if you totally mess up your decoder's programming, you can select the options to re-set the decoder to 'factory settings' and have a usable decoder again!
- Detection
- Direct Mode Programming
- Directional Lighting
- Dispatching
- Grounding
- Grounds
- Full-Wave Lighting
- Half-Wave Lighting
- Hexadecimal Numbering
- Infrared (Wireless) Throttles
- Kick Start
- LED Lighting and Resistors
- Loadable Speed Tables
- Normal Direction of Travel (NDOT)
- Programming Decoders
- Power Districts
- Pulse Width Modulation
- RJ12 plugs
- Roster Selection of Locos
- Routes
- Route Control
- Rule 17 Lighting
- Service Mode Programming
- Short Circuit Protection
- Signaling
- Slot
- Slot Following
- Speed Matching of Locos
- Stationary Decoder
- Status Code
- Status Editing
- Stealing Locos
- Throttles
- Wireless Throttles
- Radio / Infared
- Computer based (Palm, Laptop, Etc)
- Vmax Vmid
- Vstart
- Wiring
