DCC sound.

[Grandpa Pete]

Hi there, I am new to DCC and would like to purchase a controller that will be used for locos with sound decoders. I'll continue to run DC locos so I don't want to spend too much money. What would you recommend, please?

[Chrissaf]

I'll continue to run DC locos

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If you do this, then you risk permanent damage to your DC loco fleet.

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If you want to run some locos with DCC sound at the same time as running many DC locos, then you will realistically need to amend your layout topology to create a completely electrically separate and physically isolated section (loop of track) to run the DCC sound loco on. This would involve removing any points that link together the DC and DCC track powered sections. The DC and DCC parts of the layout must remain totally separate. You cannot use a DCC controller and DC Analogue controllers on the same layout, not even if you use Insulated Rail Joiners to create separate power district zones.

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You may have read about DCC controllers that can operate a single DC loco on a DCC powered track. Some DCC controllers have the capability to do it, but the product manuals usually say that the practice is not advised due to the damage that can do to your DC locomotives. I can not stress enough how this dual working concept is such a bad idea to adopt.

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Your options are:

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1. Give up the whole notion of DCC sound.
2. Implement the physical layout changes that I have described above to physically isolate a section of your layout for separate & dedicated DCC use.
3. Convert your whole DC Analogue fleet over to DCC by fitting DCC decoders to them and completely eliminate your existing DC Analogue controllers from your current layout. The 'Nuclear Bomb' full cost option.
4. Use battery operated 'sound modules' designed for DC Analogue locomotives designed and made by 'Tain-Tech'. These are 'dirt cheap' by comparison to a full DCC layout conversion ... click the previous 'Train-Tech' link for more details.

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The latest version 2.0 Hornby Select would technically meet the requirement to offer full support for locomotives fitted with DCC Sound decoders and is the cheapest of the controllers offered by Hornby. Other non Hornby brands of DCC controller that might be cheaper, may be resticted as to how many Functions they support. Sound decoders really need the support for the full range of Functions from Function 0 all the way through to Function 28. Many cheap controllers only go up to Function 8. The Version 2.0 Select supports F0 to F28.

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TIP: As a newbie poster on the forum, just be aware that the 'Blue Button with the White Arrow' is not a 'Reply to this post' button. If you want to reply to any of the posts, scroll down and write your reply in the reply text box at the bottom of the page and click the Green 'Reply' button.

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See also – further TIPs on how to get the best user experience from this forum.

https://www.hornby.com/uk-en/forum/tips-on-using-the-forum/

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[96RAF]

Some sound decoders will provide restricted sounds on DC but they are not cheap, so its swings and roundabouts where the wallet is concerned.

[Grandpa Pete]

Thank you everyone for your help! Rest assured, I run separate DC and DCC lines. Best wishes,

Grandpa Pete.