However, as with any electric railway, there is wiring to be done, but because dcc controls the locomotives individually, there is no need to split the track into many sections in order to run multiple locos, making dcc layouts easier to wire than dc. With steves guidance, youll wire your layout for digital command control in no time. Good wiring is essential for reliable operation with digital command control due to the large number of related topics to wiring. The version with battery backup model iii can be useful if you also work on dc layouts, as the normal kind wont work if track voltage drops below 7 volts. Again, we have gone dcc and for the most part, use digitrax equipment. Dcc track feeders for your layout wire for dcc youtube. Dcc planning software model railroader magazine model. I show you how i run bus lines, short circuit management, and feeder wires.
The maximum input voltage to your power pro or pb105 is 18 volts ac. My layout comprises basically a circle for want of explaining the ins and outs. This site might be helpful but if you feel hopelessly lost, it might not. Ho scale layout will need the least amount of wiring, s or o scales will need double compared to an ho scale. Too much amps can cause serious issues, such causing a short, derailments at turnouts and damage to your. Page 22 lzv100 commandpower station the current required by your layout is the sum of the following. Imagine youve just begun running trains on a layout equipped for digital command control dcc and suddenly your locomotive and all the other layout action jerks to a halt. Page 1 power pro power pro system reference system reference manual manual version 3.
Wiring up a power routing turnout to dcc isolating problem turnouts. This article originally appeared in the october 2004 edition of the interchange the newsletter of the ottawa valley associated railroaders and updated on november 16, 2010. I show you how i run bus lines, short circuit management, and feeder wires to bring your digital command control layout to life. Higher currents heavier power wiring, and overload protection must work. Greg elmassian web site on large scale trains and garden railroads, cigars, and computers. If you scroll down on the right side of this page and type in wiring turnouts for dcc in the search the community block a poorly advertised feature of the forums to new users. Block is a legacy term from the days of analog operation of model railroads. Kato unitrack is a very good product and allows reliable trackwork to be assembled quickly without the need to cut and solder track.
How to wire your model railroad for dcc using bus and. Dcc track power less expensive than battery on a per loco basis. Layout wring kits will get you up and running in no time. Dcc track feeders and how to position them on your layout using the three rs track wiring for easy dc and dcc installation on to your. A power district is the preferred digital command control term for what was, and is often called, a block. How to wire your model railroad for digital command control. Dcc power supply the digitrax command station i settled on using, the dcs 100, provides up to 5 amps of track power. It will be definitively be operated by dcc, not only for the ease of wiring. Steve barkley offers a stepbystep demonstration on the dcc installation process. Connect a feeder from the two wire track bus for that main track to its corresponding rail for each section of track that has been joined to the previous rail by a metal rail joiner. The hidden assumption is that dcc wiring is a go or nogo situation and since this wiring worked it must. The downside is that it is only too easy to drive a train into a point that is set against it. With six tracks not counting the helix or storage tracks, and the likelihood of having at least two trains on each of the commuter tracks three if i want to get clever, its possible that even a 5 amp command station could be inadequate.
This can easily burn out wires inside the locomotive decoder. An uncontrolled short has as much power as a 60 watt light bulb. Even if you arent technical, you can see which ways are highly reliable and also dcc safe, whether you are using dcc or dc now or perhaps going to dcc in the future. This leads to layout design decisions that are anecdotal engineering based. Kalmbach digital command control a comprehensive guide to dcc by stan ames, rutger friberg and ed loizeaux. Includes his garden railway and ho layouts with other train related links. Wiring your layout for digital command control model. Lowvoltage bulbs or leds used in some locomotives may not hold up to the higher constant voltage of most dcc systems.
It has a chapter that describes the basics of layout wiring for dcc including revesing loops. More detail about the layout track power wiring design is available on the power wiring design page. Adding dcc power districts to a model train layout. In prototype railroad operations, a block is a section of track, usually controlled by signals, where only one train should be in operation. Dcc in small locos easier since no room taken by battery 6. Lenz digital plus lzv100 operation manual pdf download.
Or, jumping in with both feet without looking by ron newby. Voltages higher than 18 volts ac will ultimately destroy your booster resulting in an expensive repair charge. Before you can start on a large layout you need to spend a considerable amount of time planning it. Wiring a large layout is about the same as a dc layout. Attach the yellow wire to one lead of the backup light if equipped. Allan gartners wiring for digital command control home page for model trains. If you are looking for specific information there is a search box at the top of each pageplease use it. Sort by top products name brand type roadname price.
These wires go to the other two terminals on the same cobalt switch. The layout can be further subdivided using a power management device into two or more subdistricts called power districts. Having worked on layout that has the nonfriendly variety and no bulbs, they are worth it. Power bus wiring for digital command control dcc basics. When they need to cross, try to do so at right angles. Wiring the layout i mentioned earlier that the myth of wiring for dcc is just that a myth. Improving peco points for dcc operation james train parts. This article deals with large permanent layouts, for other types of layout refer to. A beginners guide to decoders, dcc systems, and layout wiring at. Converting a layout to dcc welcome to the nce information station. Nce power pro system reference manual pdf download. To gain a better understanding, you can reach out to the model railroad community, browse user groups online, or read literature from from companies whose programs youre considering. Digital command control systems require wiring your layout, and theres plenty to consider before jumping in.
With dcc, your son and you will be able to independantly run a train each on the same track. Wire each main is if the other doesnt exist, and to make it easy, wire one main at a time and test operations before starting on the other main. It is a system where digital commands are sent to the locomotives through the rails. If the layout is already wired for dc, it will almost certainly work for dcc as. It also goes through the planning and changes needed to convert an existing dc layout for dcc. In the remaining portion of the book focuses on the physical details or wiring a layout up.
An analog direct current controlled model railroad employs. Dcc wiring clinic 25 summary dcc wiring is different from dc blocks and cab control in consideration of wiring methods, but many of the same basic rules for electrical gaps etc. Wiring for dcc isnt as complicated as some would have you believe, but it is a very important component to the entire digital command control experience. How to wire a model railroad layout for dcc youtube. Wiring your model railroad for dcc made simple with these easy to use products. How to find and select a power supply for your accessories duration. Dcc is digital command control and puts a standing voltage on the track and locos only respond to a digital command addressed to their particular address code. This layout uses kato unitrack, but the firm doesnt offer a dcc system. Step 2 attach the droppers 1 attach the green wire to the frog. Most kato turnouts, including n scale, have the ability to be switched between power routing and nonpower routing, but the no. Wiring for dcc isnt as complicated as some would have you. In this video i discuss how to wire a model railroad layout for dcc. Many dcc list always have people often citing anecdotal evidence that dcc wiring can be done this way or that way. So with 4 locomotives im quite content to learn what i can.
A segment of track fed by its own dedicated booster is called a booster district. I am asked so often how to wire up dcc points that i am now including this piece. For those who have a medium to large size layout, and wish to use a tested recommendation for new wiring, i offer the following. In the layout section of the forum post a photo or drawing of your layout. Allt om hobby publishing company basic wiring for model railroaders by rick selby, kalmbach 2007. Layout wiring overview this page discusses the layout wiring. As an example, it covers the plan and installation of the wiring for small layout which has 3 power districts. See more ideas about model trains, train layouts and model train layouts. A beginners guide to decoders, dcc systems, and layout wiring paperback april 1, 2011. Improving kato unitrack ho points for dcc operation. The number of transformerpower station combinations needed for the layout depends on the power needs of your layout. If you subscribe to the website you will receive an email notice when a new post appears. With a dcc powered layout it may also have the current from several locos running through the coach and i have seen a coach that was parked across such a point that got so hot that the truck actually melted. If youre using unitrack but really not interested in dcc, go ahead and use katos dc wiring system.
The track wiring needs to be done all at once since you cannot run analog and digital command control at the same time. All you need to know about dcc for beginners page 1 model. The blue wire is a common wire for all of the lights. That represents perhaps 60 or more continuous watts being available to cause spot heating at the source of an electrical problem. However, its dc plugandplay control system is as close to foolproof as you could make it. Attach the white wire to one lead of the headlight. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. This does turn out to be true for small dcc layouts, the 4x8 plywood layout is the most common, simply because there is not enough wire length or poor wiring quality to really get yourself into any type of electrical trouble.
With dcc, a booster can supply 12 volts at 5, 8 or even 10 amps into a track short circuit without becoming overloaded. Each wiring run needs to handle just one block current. You really should consider purchasing dcc friendly turnouts. Unlike dc wiring, the track remains live throughout at all times. The power bus and control bus need to be physically separate under the layout recommend 1218 inches or more if possible. Wiring standards for large layouts welcome to the nce. The actual power supplies are discussed in more detail on the dc power supplies and dcc power supply pages. A resistor may be inserted between the decoder and. Model railway digital command control dcc wiring a layout. See also the electricity for modelers toplevel section. Installing dcc on your layout doesnt have to be intimidating.
This forum was set up and moderated by wiring for dcc administrator, probably back in the 1990s. At the end of the requirements phase you should know all of the following with a. Dcc wiring clinic 8 dcc wiring basics i with dc cab control the maximum current in a block 12 amps. Anecdotal comments in layout wiring are easily believed because the experience with wiring dc layouts was not so critical. The little book is a good basic guide into wiring up a layout it cover dc and dcc, but you will need more in the series once you get started. Connect it to the common terminal of one of cobalts builtin power spdt switches. You must decide whether you want to go analogue or digital as you cannot mix the.