leikec
Junior Member
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Post by leikec on Oct 2, 2018 15:45:46 GMT -8
This will certainly show how out of date I am...
Do all current (no pun intended) DCC units in locomotives allow for DC operation--as in two wires from the transformer to the track? In particular, if I buy a sound/DCC equipped Rapido FL9 will it still run on regular DC voltage? Would any sounds still work?
Jeff C
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leikec
Junior Member
Posts: 96
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Post by leikec on Oct 2, 2018 15:59:10 GMT -8
There are at least 14 other people on the forum who don't know anything more about DCC than I do?
I suddenly feel better.
Jeff C
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Post by riogrande on Oct 2, 2018 16:03:48 GMT -8
You mean are all dcc decoders dual mode? I don't know. I'd guess most newer ones are. I think my Atlas engines factory equipped from about 11 to 14 years ago have dfual mode decoders.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Oct 2, 2018 16:10:47 GMT -8
Yes, all NMRA-compliant DCC decoders will operate on DC analog voltage. They won't do it that well, but they will go forwards and backwards. Top speed will be reduced from what you're used to. If you buy the Rapido FL9, do not use the MRC RailPower 1300 powerpack (or any "trainset" powerpack). They suffer from voltage spikes and they will damage/destroy your DCC locos. The FL9 manual is here: www.rapidotrains.com/content/manuals/14-Instructions-Web-English.pdfAFAIK, the FL9 will make diesel sounds when DC voltage is supplied. I don't know about the horn or bell. On older QSI boards, one could flip the direction toggle while moving and it would blow the horn. But I don't know if ESU boards do anything like that. |
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leikec
Junior Member
Posts: 96
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Post by leikec on Oct 2, 2018 16:15:33 GMT -8
Yes, all NMRA-compliant DCC decoders will operate on DC analog voltage. They won't do it that well, but they will go forwards and backwards. Top speed will be reduced from what you're used to. If you buy the Rapido FL9, do not use the MRC RailPower 1300 powerpack (or any "trainset" powerpack). They suffer from voltage spikes and they will damage/destroy your DCC locos. The FL9 manual is here: www.rapidotrains.com/content/manuals/14-Instructions-Web-English.pdfAFAIK, the FL9 will make diesel sounds when DC voltage is supplied. I don't know about the horn or bell. On older QSI boards, one could flip the direction toggle while moving and it would blow the horn. But I don't know if ESU boards do anything like that. This is all your fault. All those years on the old Atlas forum reading your New Haven threads...  Jeff C |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 2, 2018 17:10:47 GMT -8
Yeah. Not only did he make me buy a couple of FL9's, but now I'm rather far down the slippery slope of New Haven stainless-sided passenger cars.
I've been sending out counter-vibes that he should buy a BN C-415 when Bowser brings them out. We'll see.........
Ed
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 2, 2018 18:30:12 GMT -8
There are plenty of DCC engines on the market that are NOT dual mode. The FL9's may run on plain DC, but you have limited features.
Intermountain specifically warns the buyer NOT to attempt to operate some recent DCC engines like the GP10 on plain DC. Theirs are not designed for DC operation.
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Post by theengineshed on Oct 2, 2018 18:56:04 GMT -8
If you buy the Rapido FL9, do not use the MRC RailPower 1300 powerpack (or any "trainset" powerpack). They suffer from voltage spikes and they will damage/destroy your DCC locos. This begs the question, anyone have recommendations in regards to a decent "still in production" DC powerpack? My DC bench powerpack is a LGB unit that goes up to 24 volts, probably should invest in something cleaner... |
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Post by lvrr325 on Oct 2, 2018 19:58:26 GMT -8
Just buy a basic DCC system and have done with it. My MRC was $200 or so list and works just fine.
Still running DC only? Put it on a DPDT toggle and use a Tech II, Tech IV or whatever is cheap that doesn't spike.
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Post by John Sheridan on Oct 3, 2018 3:57:27 GMT -8
Yeah. Not only did he make me buy a couple of FL9's, but now I'm rather far down the slippery slope of New Haven stainless-sided passenger cars. Ed Our nefarious plans are beginning to bear fruit I see. You do know about the NH Diners don't you ? New Haven Stainless Steel Diners |
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Post by roadkill on Oct 3, 2018 4:55:35 GMT -8
Yeah. Not only did he make me buy a couple of FL9's, but now I'm rather far down the slippery slope of New Haven stainless-sided passenger cars. Ed Our nefarious plans are beginning to bear fruit I see. You do know about the NH Diners don't you ? New Haven Stainless Steel DinersWhat, no Penn Central  ? |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 3, 2018 6:51:26 GMT -8
As a matter of fact, I do. Just mulling over the name choice. Hoping to see a grill, someday. Ed |
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Post by brakie on Oct 3, 2018 7:07:43 GMT -8
Sounds like a MRC Tech 6 might fill your DCC/Sound needs plus by a push of a button you can return to DC and run your DC engines..
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2018 8:19:43 GMT -8
I use the MRC Tech 6 for the reasons Larry cited.
AND
I tested last night after reading this thread:
My Rapido FA-2's and FPA-4's, that are DCC/ESU Loksound equipped will not even move in plain DC mode on the Tech 6. It should be putting out about 12 volts, maybe slightly more, but clearly not enough current for the DCC Rapido engines to do anything, other than I think the headlights came on a little bit.
IF you want to run a Rapido engine in plain DC, I recommend buying one of the ones special ordered by the various dealers to be plain DC.
I have one plain DC Via Rail FPA-4, and it runs just fine in plain DC mode.
All the other full DCC/ESU Loksound equipped units that I have only run in DCC mode on the Tech 6. Interestingly, it is the same thing with the recent Intermountain diesels. As stated above, Intermountain warns you not to even try running in plain DC.
The main reason I use the MRC Tech 6 is because often I can only find a particular diesel that I want equipped one way--and I may be forced to buy it with DCC and sound to get the engine at all--even though I normally prefer plain DC, no sound. The Via Rail FPA-4 was hard for me to find at all, so I ended up with one of each, plain DC versus full featured DCC.
The particular train stores I frequent have stopped special ordering the plain DC engines, and are only ordering the ones with sound and DCC, now.
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Post by Artur on Oct 3, 2018 14:43:11 GMT -8
you guys can always get the 21 pin plug for a couple bucks, pull the decoder and push in the plug. Now your locomotive is DC only, and you can sell the decoder for a good profit.
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Post by Paul Cutler III on Oct 3, 2018 17:45:01 GMT -8
leikec, Mwahahahahahaha!  The NHRHTA's plan for global domination is growing larger and gaining ever more followers! Today, HO scale; tomorrow the world! BWAHAHAHAHA...(cough, cough). Oh, um, sorry, got something caught in my throat there for a second... Ed, Yep, I forced you to buy FL9's...even tho' we've never met.  Behold my powers of telepathy through internet web forums!  But I remain resistant to C-415's because IHC has made them for years...in New Haven green & orange!  Just the very thought ruins any appeal they might have had for me.  But honestly there's so much NH stuff coming out these days I really can't afford to start model railroads 1000 miles (not to mention several years) away from the NH. I got enough to keep track of with just the NH to find and fund. But thanks for trying. As for waiting for the grill, you and me, both. The NH actually had 15 grills and just 10 diners, and the grill were used on most trains that wouldn't rate a diner. LV 582, I dunno how widespread that is. That's why I said "NMRA Compliant" decoders. All NMRA DCC decoders should operate on DC. The problem is that there are a lot of cheap DC power supplies (sold in trainsets, etc.) that don't comply with the NMRA either. And when there's a problem, the DCC decoder usually goes up in smoke. theengineshed, Sorry, but I haven't bought an DC analog powerpack in over 25 years. I couldn't begin to tell you about anything after the MRC Tech II's. John, High fives all around for another NH stainless steel car! And, um, you are going to send me the file to review, right? roadkill, I was surprised myself. AFAIK, at least a few of the NH diners made it to PC. (shrug) |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Oct 3, 2018 18:18:24 GMT -8
Paul--
I was drooling over recent Rapido NH orange and stainless passenger cars...almost bought one just to have one.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Oct 3, 2018 20:51:30 GMT -8
But I remain resistant to C-415's because IHC has made them for years...in New Haven green & orange! Just the very thought ruins any appeal they might have had for me. No surprise there. I'm about to hurl myself. But, the Dark Side, Luke:  Or, the HORROR:  I can't find any shots of BN units. Perhaps they're all in the cold dark hands of their owners. I know mine are! Ed |
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Post by John Sheridan on Oct 4, 2018 6:57:28 GMT -8
What, no Penn Central ? As far as we can tell, none of the NH Diners were repainted/re-lettered during Penn Central. All the photos show them all in NH paint & lettering right until they were taken out of service by the PC. A few grills did make it into PC Paint & lettering however. We do have photos to support that. |
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Post by John Sheridan on Oct 4, 2018 6:59:52 GMT -8
As a matter of fact, I do. Just mulling over the name choice. Hoping to see a grill, someday. Ed If you live long enough you might actually get your wish! Of course the likely hood of a Grill depends directly on how many diners we sell. The current project pays the funding for the next project. So, should I put you down for 30 Diners ? You know 1ea of Green, Mc Ginnis, & McGinnis Skirtless ?  |
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leikec
Junior Member
Posts: 96
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Post by leikec on Oct 4, 2018 7:31:17 GMT -8
I solved my dilemma in the most elegant way I know--in other words, I bought a DC only FL9...
Jeff C
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Post by nhhotrain on Oct 4, 2018 8:58:53 GMT -8
Jeff C,
I use the Digitrax DCS51 (http://www.digitrax.com/products/command-stations-boosters/dcs51/) that I can run the DC and DCC locomotives plus the Ring Engineering's RailPro products. Mainly, I use the RailPro products. Some of the locomotives that I haven't yet converted from DC to RailPro, I can still run the DC locomotives with this Digitrax DCS51 power supply. I did purchase one DCC New Haven FL-9 locomotive when it was on the half-price sale and it worked well with the Digitrax DCS51 since the Digitriax DCS51 has the function buttons.
John
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Post by jonklein611 on Oct 4, 2018 11:08:10 GMT -8
Jeff C, I use the Digitrax DCS51 (http://www.digitrax.com/products/command-stations-boosters/dcs51/) that I can run the DC and DCC locomotives plus the Ring Engineering's RailPro products. Mainly, I use the RailPro products. Some of the locomotives that I haven't yet converted from DC to RailPro, I can still run the DC locomotives with this Digitrax DCS51 power supply. I did purchase one DCC New Haven FL-9 locomotive when it was on the half-price sale and it worked well with the Digitrax DCS51 since the Digitriax DCS51 has the function buttons. John Same. You can normally pick them up quite cheap used, normally when someone is upgrading to a larger featured CS. Since I dabble in HO and N, my test bench has both wired up. I got a second connector and have one wired for my HO and the other for N. It works great and actually isn't terrible to program on. |
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The NHRHTA's plan for global domination is growing larger and gaining ever more followers! Today, HO scale; tomorrow the world! BWAHAHAHAHA...(cough, cough). Oh, um, sorry, got something caught in my throat there for a second...
Behold my powers of telepathy through internet web forums! 
Just the very thought ruins any appeal they might have had for me. 