As a Network Admin by trade, IP is just an internet protocol or a connection to a device. That is no difference than the connection with Bluetooth and the CV values within a DCC decoder that stores the address. DCC also runs on AC, not DC which allows the pulsating signals to work. IP communications also uses pulsating electrical signals through copper or a pulsating light through fiber. Wireless is a different animal all together as you have different variations between Radio Waves, Bluetooth, IR, etc... A lot of people use DCC accessories which add even more devices and can jam the pulsating signals on the bus which is why I have went the LCC route (seperate system) to control my layout accessories. DCC for trains and LCC for layout. Thing with DCC is, that once a signals is sent from the command station, it's not sent one time but several times over and over until the next command comes in from the system. Imagine how many commands are being sent every millisecond when you have several operators or several things going on the layout at one time. - Jason

@gravesclay

4 ай бұрын

Several corrections to your post: DCC is not AC. It is differential PWM DC. IP communications uses differential signaling on copper with pwm speeds approaching microwave, and amplitude / phase modulation on fiber / coax. Bluetooth uses radio waves why differentiate? The modulation scheme and bandwidths vary from 802.11 but they do share the 2.4GHz ISM band. DCC accessories aren't going to jam the bus. DCC bus is broadcast based (one way) return information is done via current sensing. The whole system is non-blocking, however as address space and command intensity increase it can take longer to transmit the full message simply because the message gets longer. There is only ever 1 command station on DCC layouts, additional controllers talk to the command station utilizing a side channel (like loconet) to communicate. I think you are mish-mashing the side-channel, and the actual DCC signal.

@TheTrainFreak

4 ай бұрын

@@gravesclay I guess my original source misled me on the AC vs DC but after reading your post and doing a little research, per DCC Wiki, the DCC signal or bus doesn't use PWM on DC but the decoder supplies PWM to the motor if you really want to get technical. As for the extreme technicals on how TCP/IP, Wireless Interfaces work: I didn't want to get too technical on that as the average person in our hobby, one wouldn't understand or two wouldn't care, however, you are correct as to how it all works in the fine little details. The reason to differentiate on wireless is that it depends on which bands are being used but then again the average person doesn't know that a Bluetooth band won't work with a WiFi band even though it could cause interfere with each other and that's simply to not confuse those who haven't went to school in our field. To keep it simple for the most people out there, copper is signaled with electrical currents and fiber is signaled with pulsating lights. As far as the DCC system, there is an input bus (the cabs or throttles) and an output bus (track) which does broadcast. The commands aren't sent just one time but repeated and if you have a lot of devices, let's say 50+, then you can start to experience delays in controlling your locomotives. I used to do signalling, block detection, turnout control all with my NCE ProCab system but with the locomotive control delays, a very good friend of mine (Dick Bronson, RR-Cirkits) suggested I go to LCC (Layout Command Control) which uses a CAN Bus that does two way communications and pull all the accessories off my DCC system. Now I no longer have the delays or jam signaled of the locomotives responding. With that being said, all I can do is share my experiences as to what did and didn't work for me. Have a great day!

@cmdr_ultraviol3nt

4 ай бұрын

@@TheTrainFreak I’m pursuing Network+ and I was just as surprised as you were to learn this. It’s a common misconception, but it’s one of those distinctions that’s not really necessary to know unless you’re trying to make something close to the signaling itself, or something closer to that part of the, uh.. OSI model? Does that apply here? Whatever a model railroad’s equivalent of the OSI model is

@michaelhaueter6011

4 ай бұрын

Another Network Admin here. Another big consideration for IP vs DCC, is that you can get a lot of devices that are DCC enabled, such as signals, detectors, switches, turntables, etc, ect. If these were all wireless, on a layout even with 30-40 of these DCC items, you might start running into wireless communication issues over wifi, wired would be fine more than likely, but ethernet is probably overkill as a solution for this kind of setup.

If one is to ask the question of why we use DCC, the return question is what do you intend to gain by using another system?

@mr.e1944

23 күн бұрын

“Dead Rail”. That is why I went with Ring Engineering Prorail. No bus lines, no frog juicing, no reverse loop switches, just fun!

@theminer3746

20 күн бұрын

@@mr.e1944What do you mean by no reverse loop switch? I read their manual and you still need to put the AR-1 module in

@mr.e1944

20 күн бұрын

@@theminer3746 only if your running power through the tracks. My trains get power from a battery, so I can run anywhere. Even. On the table with no track. Railpro is wireless. You can take the wires from the pick-ups at the wheels and attach them to the leads to the battery. The train is then isolated from the track. No reverse loops switches and no frog juicing. There is no need for capacitors or stay alive units.

I started into the model train hobby a couple of years ago. I was going to buy the NCE Procab after looking at the available options. However at the store the sale guy could barely get the train to run. It kept going over unclean track and dying out. I went to a friend house who had a full layout. Same thing. It got me wondering why we were using a 1980’s technology. I was going to make my own remote control train. However I discovered Ring Engineerings Railpro. It is wireless and a cheaper alternative. Since I did not need a track signal I decided to go dead rail and installed 3.7 LiPo batteries. Now I can make my track layout plan really prototypical. No juicing frogs or reverse loop switches. No bus lines, just lay track and ballast and have fun!

I wouldn't like the models to have IP functionality. Not that I am oppose it in general but I can see a future where all models always need to stay online and you need subscriptions to run your trains. "want to do some shunting? buy the shunting package for 20dollars a month and experience the awesomeness!"

@StefsEngineering

4 ай бұрын

I am specifically talking about the IoT aspect, not the protocol in general. (see for example the pinned comment)

@dda40x

4 ай бұрын

Yeah, exactly! On a related note, if I control all my locomotives via an app, that's great, until the app stops working because the manufacturer went out of business, or doesn't care anymore about stuff they did twenty years ago. Maybe that will never happen, who knows. But DCC is an open standard, well established and all. There will always be DCC command stations available to buy, or ways to build one yourself.

So excited and thankful to see my question answered. Thank you so much!!

Always good to see and listen to Jimmy. Thanks once again.

As someone very tech oriented and new to being "back" into trains after a hiatus from my 80s childhood, I've been wondering why DCC is still dominant as well. I've been implementing DCC on an RP2040 just to learn the protocol on a deep level. It IS simple to understand and seems fairly robust, so it has that going for it.

@theminer3746

20 күн бұрын

Not sure if you’ve heard of this but there’s an open source project called DCC-EX that implements the DCC booster on Arduino Mega, I’ve played with it for a bit and it’s great

A drone camera is tiny and it's tiny enough to fit in a n scale f/eunit

You talked about using ballast on hopper cars: 50yrs ago I had some '20ft' hoppers on my N scale and I used modeling clay for ballast. It can be shaped to look like any load. I pressed a little track ballast into the surface to make it look like coal or gravel. Haven't had any stability problems with the cars since.

Thank you Jimmy for another informative video

Thanks for answering my questions, Jimmy - excited to get into sound in N scale once I have the time and funds!

Camera wise, its a matter of the cost of R&D, Since Apple can fit a 40 mega pixel 4k camera into a very small space on a smart phone, its a matter of funding the engineering to create something new for model railroaders. So it's not really a technical limitation as much as it is ..... what that cost to do that.

When I got into train control, my first system was Marklin, which back then cost an arm and a leg and WAS the original DCC protocol. Decoders had a 50% failure rate and Marklin wouldn't warranty them unless install by a "authorized" installer (which allowed them to hide the failure rate). Then came DCC ( I bought the Lenz system in '93, the creator of DCC) and Marklin changed their protocol to Motorola so it wouldn't be compatible with DCC. Brown rubber cement like Pliobond or Walthers "Goo" are excellent glues. Personally, I never use hot glue.

It's very simple why we are stuck with DCC: Backwards compatibility and open standard. As long as new system isn't somehow backwards compatible, it's going to stay as niche application, as power modelers with hundreds of locomotives, won't have the means to convert all locos at once. Unless it's a standard backed by NMRA and MOROP, nothing is going to change, because manufacturer don't want to back a competitors system, which could change at any time, or might have licensing fees. I have started to spec a system which is IP based and would run on ESP32. The rules I set is that only existing standard and protocols are allowed to be used. The decoder could still understand DCC, but the new system would unlock all function. If you know how tiny the CPU in smartophone is, you could easily build that in H0 locomotive.

Great video Jimmy. We only upgraded to DCC from DC less than a year ago. We were looking for the next big thing, but I think what is holding the model train community back from the next big thing are the locomotive manufacturers. There is no reason that a locomotive can't come ready to run from the factory from a phone app or computer program with nothing more than a track power source.

@MilwaukeeF40C

4 ай бұрын

Phone apps HELL NO!

@TwoRailfans

4 ай бұрын

@@MilwaukeeF40C well not on a phone, but something the side of an iPad. We usually run our setup through an app on my son's iPad and it is easier to control multiple trains and controls at the same time than the controller that came with our DCC system.

@immrmessy

4 ай бұрын

The main reason DCC is still around is that anything new doesn't solve anything. You still need a constant power connection.

I'm about to start building an n scale layout and I've ordered a ScaleTrains Operator N scale CSX GEVo and I've been watching your videos trying to learn as much as possible before building my layout. I've decided to model mid 2000s to 2010s Norfolk Southern loosely based on my home town and industries around it.

Thank you for bring up my problem. Good going.

thanks for answering my question 😊

I originally bought Marklin Digital back in '89, 90. Not sure of the exact date. It cost me over $1000 back then and my wife almost killed me. :). It didn't have a walk-around throttle, just a base station. Decoders then were $90 ea. and Marklin would not warranty them unless installed by an "authorized" installer. This was, I think, a way to hide the fact that the decoders had a 50% DUD rate. Well, DCC was introduced and surprise, the Marklin protocol was the SAME as DCC. Soon thereafter, Marklin changed their protocol and a DCC equipped loco would not be compatible with it. I switched to Lenz DCC in 1993 and have always loved it.

Great video! I am laying down extruded foam insulation board for my sub roadbed. Some people wait until they lay the track to paint it. I wanted to completely paint it with flat latex paint, before I lay down any track. Would the paint cause issues with the cork roadbed sticking properly or even staying glued down? Just curious.

If you are modelling the UK railways Dapol has produced a few dummy locomotives and multiple units. They are the only company to produce dummy locomotives in the UK. One way to get dummy locomotives where no one produces them is to buy non-runner and strip out the motors.

Awesome Q&A, well edited and well presented!

I have approx 200’ - 250’ of HO Scale Track on a two level layout in a 10’x20’ space. It’s all DC Currently, but my wife purchased the DCC EX System for me for Christmas. The most I would be running would be about 6-8 Locomotives at once and that would be two separate trains with consists. Is one DCC EX System enough or should I do separate systems for the two levels? Or, should I add boosters as you spoke about in this video? TIA and Love The Channel. Also, I submitted photos of my layout, was wondering if you got them?

Great content Jimmy. My question is how should I hook up my accessory lighting of my layout? I run 4 wire trailer wire and use the yellow and green wires as my bus wires, I’m just not sure how to hook up my lights for the layout, should I tap into the brown or white wires of the trailer wires or run a separate wire throughout the layout and use that as the accessory lighting wire?

The primary reason for not using some advanced protocol is that it is too ponderous (more bits to get the same job done). That's not the only reason, but probably the main one. For example, there are 14 fields in just the header. One of the HUGE advantages of DCC is that it runs at a startlingly low frequency in the world of digital electronics. The 1's and 0's have different cycle widths, but the average frequency will always be below 10 kHz. This is actually an audio frequency - it is that low. And this, plus using the FULL magnitude of the voltage swing (that is also used for power) creates an exceptional "signa to noise" ratio. This low frequency and large voltage swing is what makes it possible to run all sorts of bare bus and feeder wires (and remember, the rails are also bare wires) many feet all over a layout and have it work.

Thanks. And I hope to have some “work in progress” photos this year. My athern big boy runs on a 11” minimum radius just fine. Don’t think I’ll try anything less. lol

Hey Jimmy. Love your videos. Was looking for the link on those soldering irons. Looking for a new one and wanted to take a look

@DIYDigitalRailroad

4 ай бұрын

oops! I have them linked in the description now!

Awesome thankyou for your blessings 💞

Hi Jimmy. Great video. @PacificCoastMiniatures: The JMRI software (including a decoder programmer?) will work on a Mac, but you need to check compatibility between which OS you have and the requirements for the latest version of JMRI. HM7000 Bluetooth decoders (+- sound): Assuming you can fit the decoder into you N scale loco, I plan to setup the decoder with the HM7000 app and then control the loco with my Digitrax controller. This may sound like a retrograde step, but I prefer to twiddle knobs on a handset over using sliders on a phone/tablet.

Thanks for answering my question. I've never worked on N so am unfamiliar with their size limitations. I would like to do a Pi in a G locomotive with HaLow and GPS and even started writing my own code. Not sure when I'll be able to get my first set though. I also think that tachometers and ammeters on the motors would be cool too. Possibilities are really endless.

good vid thanks lee

Hi!! Just was curious if you have looked into the blunami decoder from soundtraxx? I am thinking about using this to update some of my old DC locos & my DC layout. Just wanted so input on it , if it’s a good idea?

As an alternative to some of the sound questions, the JMRI/VSD option might be useful if you can use the JMRI throttle.

JImmy, really love your channel. I recently purchased a Soundtraxx 885022 Tsunami 2 TSU-2200 Digital Sound Decoder : EMD-2 Diesel for my HO scale 2-8-0 Union Pacific locomotive. Not sure of the brand since I bought it second hand My question is what speakers would you recommend for this sound decoder? Second question is I'm trying to control 16 turnout servos from a sensor shield instead of a PCA9685 on an Arduino Mega in JMRI through my Arduino DCC-EX and while I have added the turnouts to the Turnout table in JMRI I can't get the servos to move. Could you point me in a direction that might help me get this resolved or should I just switch to a PCA9685 to control my servos? Thank you.

Tomix (from Japan) makes 2 different, 3-car sets with cameras inside the cab of the train. Tomix item #’s 5594 and 5595, based on the 223 and 235 series of commuter trains. Retail, about $150, IF you can find them. Secondary prices are usually outrageous.

A fairly easy way to add extra weight is Deluxe Materials Liquid Gravity. It's a granular non-toxic dense material which only needs a glue to hold it in place (I used Roket Card glue on my N gauge wagon kits). Simply pour it into the void where you want to put some extra weight (keeping it clear on anything that turns or moves) and then glue it in place.

Hot glueing issues. I’ve experienced that with the Low Temp glues more than the High Temp glues. The High Temp seems to adhere better but keep in mind working with a higher temperature you need to be a bit cautious on the application.

Best model railroading channel on YT. Thank you, keep up the great work! 😊

Hey Jimmy, Is there any DCC power or non power slug for N scale?

better question - Why are we still using DC.

Wow, so cool👍🏻

why DCC instead of IP: the main issue is that the transmission line (the rails) are very sub-optimal, and IP would be way too much information per packet to have a good signal to noise ratio.

I moved my layout years ago, I rented a Uhaul enclosed trailer, I took scrap wood and a few 2X4's just built a few cross 2X4's slid the layout boards and screwed them in and it made the 350 miles with no damage

Hey Jimmy, would love to hear what your approach is to avoid scope creep in layout planning and execution to stop yourself from heading down the rabbit hole of planning mega layouts that don't fit in your space (or budget) so you can focus more on the achievable outcomes?

Hey Jimmy, since we're on the topic of DCC, how do you find the type of decoders you need if you're wanting to install DCC on a DC locomotive? I'm trying to find the DCC/Sound board for my N scale Athearn F45 and can only locate the plain one without sound.

Hey Jimmy, I was wondering if you would consider making a video on locomotive maintenance? I bought a Kato GE C44-9W at a train show a few months ago that is kind of noisy and I think just needs some maintenance, but I don't really know where to start.

Jimmy, have you found or used a good N scale End Of Train device?

Hey Jimmy. As someone who is just getting in to the hobby (haven't built a layout yet) I had some questions about consisting trains. I've watched your and others' videos about DCC speed matching, but one thing I still don't understand is how you can control 2+ locomotives simultaneously. Do you have to assign them all to the same address to do this, or are there ways to bind multiple units to one throttle without changing addresses? Thanks for the great and helpful videos!

@danp2779

4 ай бұрын

When locomotives get "consisted", they get a special "consist address" that handles that "one address controls everything" logic.

Hi Jimmy. Great content as always! Can you do a video on what made you choose N scale? I am interested in starting a railroad, but I am really torn between HO and N scale. I’d love to hear what made you choose your scale and why you didn’t go with another scale if you ever considered any besides N. Thanks!

Hey buddy I have a question for you , I currently use NCE Powercab and NCE Switchkats for my turnouts however I’m building a bigger layout so I’m wondering if you know what can I use for my turnouts that’s simple to use and less expensive than the switchkats ? Thanks

I am running Oscale and I want to get more space I am thinking of breaking down the wall to get more space because everything on the table is so close together what do u think of breaking down the wall for more space.

QUESTION! I just bought a used bachmann spectrum c&o heavy mountain steamer, and when i say used, it was very well loved. My question is, is it safe to run a dcc engine on dc? I ask because from factory it had a dual mode decoder, but as its used, i dont know if its the original decoder

I'm into HO scale model railroading, and what I was hoping you would talk about blunami decoders as compared to Railpro decoders and that control system, especial where it concerns speed matching.

i WILL BE JOINING SOON BUT I HAVE A QUESTION i DOWNLOAD SOME N SCALE BUILDINGS ON THINGVERSE ZIP FILES. USING WIN ZIP I OPENED THEM BUT IN THE FILE IT HAS THE FILE CALLED 3D OBJECT NOT STL FILE ON ANY OF THE ZIP BUILDINGS. IS THAT THE SAME AS A STL FILE TO PUT IN SPLICER?

I currently have a simple oval track and still just use DC. Im gathering up Ttrak modules to build myself and slowly build a layout. Once I have a Ttrak layoit loop ill get my locos (less than 10) swapped to DCC

In HO scale, what is the best way to install a KD coupler in the pilot of an AHM/IHC Srteam locomotive (4-8-4) (4-6-2) ?

While DCC still leaves things to be desired, I'm in agreement with others that TCP/IP on everything on the layout adds unnecessary cost and complexity. You would only need a bridge device to connect it to the internet, leave the layout to be all DCC. I don't know what sort of physical layer you would need to signal TCP/ IP over track but the whole thing seems like a solution looking for a problem.

@Crosshair84

4 ай бұрын

As someone who doesn't do model trains, but works with computers, TCP/IP strikes me as trying to open a can of baked beans with an axe. Yes it will work, but it is going to get very messy very quickly and not actually work any better than the old solutions. You're just going to trade certain problems for different problems.

The Bachmann 5A booster is incredibly useful for using an H0 DCC system to run G scale. You can just boost the track signal to enough for G regardless of the system.

I have 2 MRRC Tech 2 12 volt power supplies that have, all of a sudden, reduced power. Is tths a sign of rheostat failure? These packs are decades old and I only run 12 V DC.

Drinking black rifle coffee. Love your channel.

Do you have merch for sale like t shirts?

Looks like the Tindie store is no longer supplying the DCCEX Motor Shield. Any other suggestions for US?

I've enjoyed learning about DCC from you. Now I'm looking to expand my layout. I recently updated from my DCC++ to DCC-EX and wanted to use the programming track to power the new section of my layout. I was going ask if you could explain what I should do to add more "power districts" to my planned expansion. Maybe help me understand stacking motor boards? You've been such a great teacher, and I watch so many of your videos for inspiration. Keep up what you're doing‼️

@tomkamm2173

4 ай бұрын

that is interesting - and it comes to my mind to ask about BOOSTER with the "power districts" . It will be great to have an information with the latest boards - some videos are so damn old - doubt that they are the stand of booster technology of today. BOOSTER ;-)

@paulantoine1696

4 ай бұрын

DCC-EX has a booster mode coming, and more hardware too. We have a prototype with 8 districts.

Good morning 🌞☕️👍

Thanks Jimmy , another good one. I wish we could go battery and radio or bluetooth.

@StockportJambo

4 ай бұрын

Hornby in the UK do a Bluetooth system.

Discussion for the next q&a: What do you do when you get in a rut and can't find any inspiration for your own layout? I just completed a section and I want to do a double oval that connects to it and I just can't find inspiration. To the point that I barely touch the layout and prefer to go work on my friend's layout.

@ajkleipass

4 ай бұрын

What's the difference, if any, between your friend's layout's design and yours? Similarly, what model railroad articles and videos draw your attention the most? From my own experience, space and financial limitations have always left me with layout envy for layouts not as constrained as mine, and, consequently, left me disheartened with mine and ignoring / avoiding it for months on end. This is the old "the grass is always greener..." thing, in that we are so focused on what others have that we don't that we blind to the pitfalls that other layout owner faces. Yeah, he might have a 20-track staging yard capable of housing 70-car trains, but we don't see him having to climb a ladder and crawl under his enclosed porch to reach it, fighting through cobwebs of brown recluse or black widow spiders all the way. 😮 Thankfully, cable TV hasn't started airing "Model Railroading Sent Me To The ER" episodes yet. 😂

@lellopesce

4 ай бұрын

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and then, remove all you have done so far. The reason is, it is not working. It is better to design something in front of an empty room, then try to add an "undesigned" section to an already existing section, especially when there is no motivation (you call it inspiration - no motivation, no inspiration).

@DK-nv9zu

4 ай бұрын

Nothing wrong with taking a break from hobbies. I'm either in the garage working on my old car or building my model railroad. But it's not uncommon for me to five or six months off from one or the other. I come back totally recharged.

@kevo05s

3 ай бұрын

There are a few differences: I'm in N scale, he's on HO scale, I was done with benchwork and most of the track work, he had just started. He had a 4x8 double loop, I had (at the time of commenting) an 8'x7' U shape. Single track loop with operations all around. It wasn't so much "grass is greener on the other side" since I had more and higher quality, but it was overwhelming and it wasn't how I liked it so I wouldn't look at it. It actually took me until this week to remove two thirds of my layout and start fresh in those sections. Having a clean slate or a blank canvas really helps me create and get into it. I have now reduced in size to a 7'x7' L shape (2' and 3' wide) and somehow, having a smaller layout makes me happier and much less overwhelmed.

@kevo05s

3 ай бұрын

@@lellopesce I actually followed your advice and it worked! I took a break of a few weeks, then went for it and removed everything that I didn't like (and a bit more) and now I'm much better! Thank you!

On your model railway do you scratch build any of your buildings? Also I am a 15 year old who has been model railroading scince I was 11 and I want to make KZread videos but I have no idea how to get started, any ideas?

Coffee House Columbian Blend for Keurig - not bad at all. I had professional movers for a small N layout 50 years ago. Wound up with one baseboard with one small piece of track on it! No big deal, just time to start the next layout. Thanks for all.

Hey Jimmy. I am working on modeling a modern layout and would like to know, do modern railroads still use 40 and 48 ft well cars? All I have been seeing are 53 ft cars. Drinking Amazon Solimo coffee.

Coffee was introduced probably in the 15th Century, so why don't we move on to something else? Naaah. If it ain't broke don't fix it. DCC is just improving over time with more features, let's stick with it until something comes along so further advanced it blows DCC out of the water. That's my 2 cents. Cheers!

Hi I was wondering do you weigh your locos?

It takes 20 to 30 years to get most MRR's to get on board with new tech, Jimmy. A good share of MRR's Resist Technology, IMO

i use folding tables for my layout. they work great and are easy to move....

Can you use an "N" scale decoder in an "HO" scale locomotive? For instance I'd like to start a small Traction layout, using Ho scale trollys. But because they have narrow bodies, I believe the smaller units could work. Thanks for any information. Best regards. Dave.

ref kato crossover track.is it ok to have one track dcc and the other analogue as i assume the two tracks are insulated from each other

DCC is heavily invested in. Even with Wi Fi it still has it glitches. RC control likes Ring Engineering Rail Pro is the future once the patents go off. If a one button CV and auto speed matching comes along that would be fantastic too.

@3006USMC

4 ай бұрын

Yes! Rail Pro is light years ahead of DCC. I wish they would offer n scale!

What are some solid smooth-running N scale small steamers? Looking at 0-4-0 or similar engines to kitbash into HOn30. Thanks!

@AlwaysCensored-xp1be

4 ай бұрын

Do a search for "Narrow Garage" Japanese company making N gauge mechs.

I am a G Scale guy. I have 1 PS3 MTH Challenger and use MTH DCS Command Control. I have many LGB locos diesel/steam also USA Trains. Is there a way to add Controls to these engines to work with DCS ??? Thanks

I am starting to collect all the HO scale locomotives that I'm wanting for my R.R. But at this time I don't have the room for a layout, does it hurt the units not being used and just sitting around?

@markanthonyfrench5139

4 ай бұрын

Eventually the lubricants dry out and need to be cleaned out and replaced. Consider running everything once a year, even if it is on the bench, and evaluate the lubricants.

@Phoenixknight79

4 ай бұрын

@@markanthonyfrench5139 how can I run the units if I don't have a layout or any way to set up a test track even.. my wife and i live in a one bedroom apartment.

What are you using the hot glue for.

re: hot glue Use a high temperature glue / gun, not the low temperature stuff. It glues way better.

I would love for there to be a DCC V2 or something like that. It would need to be bidirectional and also it should have any layout control removed since LCC is now here to handle all of that. Maybe call it Train Command Control.

I'm not even at DC yet!

Just a minor terminology nitpick. DCC does not really use "pulses." It uses an AC waveform that is one of two different frequencies. There will either be a complete AC cycle of 116 uS or a complete cycle of 200 uS. The waveform always a duty cycle of the positive and negative going waveform are equal (50% duty cycle) which makes the nominal DC voltage across the rails zero - no DC offset (unless using zero bit stretching - another topic). There seems to be a lot of confusion about whether or not the signal is "AC". Since the voltage ACROSS THE LOAD changes polarity and the current THROUGH THE LOAD changes direction it is AC by definition. It is sometimes called Bipolar DC which is also used elsewhere in industry. But this just means it is a square wave as opposed to a sine wave. And a waveform does NOT have to be a sine wave to be AC which is another misconception some make. All "Bipolar DC" is AC. The term "alternating DC" is the same. A voltage or current that alternates is AC no matter what it's wave shape may be. This is why they make "True RMS" multimeters to properly read non sine wave shapes, such as a square wave. I think some don't believe it is AC because of a common way the DCC voltage can be generated. A first rail is made positive to a power supply ground and a second rail held at ground. Then the second rail is made positive, and the first rail held at ground. So, some say "there is no negative voltage anywhere so there can't be AC." But those voltage levels are referenced to the power supply ground. What matters is the voltage across the load. You could alternate a negative voltage and ground in the same fashion and produce the identical AC square wave voltage. The correct term for how the data is sent is FSK or Frequency Shift Keying (something used in other applications, by the way). It is not Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) as some think. PWM typically has a constant frequency (pulse repetition rate) and the width of the pulses change which also means the duty cycle changes.

I still use DC, I have 3 f-9 locos that are 40 years old

Easy answer -- cost to change systems.

Best coffee made is called Da Bomb. Available at Menards

DCC-EX has a booster mode coming Jimmy! 😊

@DIYDigitalRailroad

4 ай бұрын

That’s amazing!

I think DCC is fine as is. Especially for us N scale champions.

Because DCC beats using your hands to pull the train around the track?

far as irons go, fellas get one of these for 40 bucks you cant go wrong. PINECIL - Smart Mini Portable Soldering Iron, Small. brand is PINE64. i use mine every day and its perfect for n scale. and its portable.. digital +- 1 dig selections. heck it can run in the field with just one 3cell batt at 11.1 volts. so use it for any all all your hobby needs. heats up to temp in less than 10 seconds. cools off in a few mins. get one, get two. let yer hobby friends know. oh ps, its a 88 watt iron that runs off usb-c 30 watt brick will do the trick. it is unreal and just the right size.

can you maybe do a minitrix train layout? because i live in europe it is very expensife to buy kato

San Francisco Bay Coffee while my kids drink their "Coffee" (Milk)

question: do you own any union pacific locos?

I’m looking to drink coffee with other modelers. I can’t help but feel there are people that share my interest in model railroading in my own town. How do we find each other?

Dead rail would be nice if they can make a locomotive that will work just as well as with DCC

Ring engineering RAIL PRO is THE answer to outdated DCC.🇺🇸

Why DCC? Because it's interoperable and good enough. A shame the manufacturers have been so short-sighted about an interoperable sensor and accessory bus. Thank goodness there's DCC-EX developing a more powerful open source system based on dirt cheap off-the-shelf hardware. May the manufacturers and their proprietary walled gardens fail.

I drink French vanilla coffee regular coffee and peppermint coffee

Drinking a McFrappe from my office as I watch. Hopefully that counts a coffee