Slartibartfast the grape Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Hi! Please could someone tell me how I convert an analogue track to DCC and what do I need to do this? Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2e0dtoeric Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Easy - unplug your dc controller, and thow it into the spares bin. Flip off the cover on the connectors on the power track, and snip off the little electronic thing inside. Throw that into the bin. Put the cover back on. Fit little spring connectors to all the points, so that all the track is 'live' all the time. If you have isolated sections, via switches, simply turn them all on, and forget about the switches!Plug in the DCC controller.Then the hard bit, fit DCC decoder chips to ALL the loco's! Do not, in any circumstance, try to run a dc loco with a DCC controller, or after a short while, there will be a puff of smoke from the loco, and the motor will be destroyed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mattle Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I thought you could run a DC loco with Hornby's DCC controllers... or is this not recommended ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Yes you can on ID 0 and no, definitely not recommended as you can burn out the motor, particularly if you leave the loco just sitting on the layout, not running. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mattle Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Given the possible damage that could be caused by running an analogue loco on a DCC layout, why do Hornby even have that option available on their DCC controlers ?!? Surely it would be better not to have that function available... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graskie Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I don't think anyone really knows why, TM. When DCC was first launched by Hornby, perhaps they didn't realise what harm could be done. They just referred to analogue and DCC ready non-fitted locos buzzing and not running as smoothly as DCC fitted ones. Perhaps the facility to run non-fitted locos on analogue should be removed to save any embarrassment at burnt out motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Mattle Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Intresting... Never really thought about it before and I don't consider myself a newbie to model railways. Guess I'll have to save up a few extra pennies and purchase a few more decoders to convert my ever expanding stock of loco's !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishmanoz Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I think maybe it might have been a cheap lure into DCC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 The ability to run DC locos on a DCC layout is not an NMRA requirement but most manufacturers incorporate the ability to run one DC loco using DCC into their kit.The only warnings given are that DC motors can overheat and that coreless motors must not be used without a decoder.The other way round is OK - i.e. using DCC equipped locos on DC layouts. . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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