DCC Question(s)

[g-pa1]

For those of you that have or are familiar with DCC operations I would ask you... 1. Do all DCC systems work all scales of model railroading (as long as there is a decoder in the Loco)?And does an MRC Prodigy controller need a MRC decoderinstalled in the Loco in order to control the Loco? 2. Does DCC preclude having to wire passing sidings or yards to isolate them or can the DCC controller just shut down a loco on a passing siding without any special wiring? 3.If you have DCC or used DCC how quick are you able to get control of a Locomotive that may not be on the handset at the moment. In otherwords say you are immediately controlling No 2222 and it is getting near a No.4122 loco how quick do the DCC systems, that you have used, allow you to get control of the other loco to avoid a collision (or to shut it down in case it became derailed)? I do know that there is a panic stop for most systems. Is this the only way to avoid the collisions? Hope these questions are clear. Gene

[beastranger]

Don't forget the arc welder and blast furnace. Punk

[ginzokid]

In case anyone is interested, the new March issue of Model Railroader has a product review of the new MRC Prodigy Advanced. It seems to be favorable with only a few drawbacks to me personally. If you are going to be a "lone wolf", this is probably the least expensive way to go. The two biggest negatives are; 1. you have to send the unit back to MRC for upgrades (what do you use for running trains in the meantime?) and 2. the system is not compatible with other manufacturer's products. You can use various mfg. decoders, but the hardware can not be mixed due to the particular cable used. Reading the article wil also give you an introduction to DCC terms and operations as a n over-view. B-)

[flaretired]

I know this thread is about DCC, but I could not find any other that talked about lights in passengers cars using the search function so I put this question here. I would like to know if anyone read an article about using reed switches to turn lights on and off in passengers cars and cabooses? I found out you cannot use reed switches by themselves because they are momentary contact switch. I seen in the article how the circuit was built using a 3 volt battery, led light bulb and the switch. The problem is I cannot find this article in any of my mag's I have here in the apartment so I do not know if there was more to it, because it does not work with just those parts. The lights only stay on while the magnet is in close proximity to the reed switch. I understand the principle behind it and it sure would be nice to be able to turn lights on and off just by moving a magnet acrosse the car. I sure hope someone read this article and can tell me where it was written. Thanks. Chuck 🙂

[ginzokid]

Chuck, There are reed switches that stay on or off. Check at your local Radio Shack or electronics supply store. I'll look for information for you and post it here if I find anything. But, the circuit could be made with just the reed switch in line with the electrical supply wires in my opinion. More later..... Here's a link for you Chuck: http://www.circuitron.com/index_files/301CAT.pdf After the catalog loads, go to page 14 to read all about the "Hidden Accessory Reed Switch Kits" by Circuitron. These are available from Walthers by the way. There are two circuits that turn on/off the lights with the use of a magnetic wand. Part numbers are: 800-9101 (RS-1)or 800-9102 (RS-2) and the wand is 800-9100. Now you know..... B-) -- Edited by ginzokid at 03/27/2008 5:49 AM PDT

[flaretired]

Thank you Pete. Ordered a couple of those kits RS2 from Walters. Just what I was looking for. Thank you so much. Chuck 🙂 😄 :-) We aim to please Chuck. Hope you ordered a wand too. B-) -- Edited by ginzokid at 03/28/2008 3:41 AM PDT

[flaretired]

Hi all. Sorry for being away for so long but have had serious back problems which now are just about gone. Made my first circuit with the magnetic reed switches. It works so great I can't wait until I get the rest of the parts I need to put lights in all my cabooses. Waiting on battery holders for CR1220. All I do is bring my magnetized screwdriver near the car and the light comes on. Wave it a second time and light turns off. I have one passenger train with several cars I plan to put lights into also. Took me a long time to find those battery holders because that is the only size small enough that will fit into N Scale cars. Chuck 😄

[ginzokid]

How about posting a picture of the installation for us. I might want to do the same thing and seeing it ahead of time would be great. What size battery do you use and who makes the holder you ordered? B-) -- Edited by ginzokid at 04/29/2008 3:37 AM PDT

[flaretired]

Photo coming. Here is the web site for the battery holders. http://shopping.microbattery.com/s.nl/sc.2/category.708/.f I converted the car I bought that has a FRED on it. It came with a micro slide switch and I replaced the switch with the magnetic reed switch. Now I don't have to take the coal load out every time I want to turn the FRED on. Chuck

[flaretired]

Photo posted in MY layout. Chuck

[jamajack]

Chuck, Your photo is up, Looks like a fairly simple installation. How about a quick wiring schematic. It looks like you would hook your lights (positive lead)between the battery and the reed switch and the ground (negative) to the other side of the reed switch. Look in Jacks stuff photo album, is this the way you are hooking up both the fred and car lights? Jack

[flaretired]

That's all there is to it. Very simple hookup. Saved me time from drawing it. Chuck 😄

[ginzokid]

Pretty kool! One question though. What is the voltage of the battery? I'm thinking of doing this for my Christmas tree layout cars and would need to power at least two lamps per car, probably 1.5V each. Does this sound possible? The electrically challenged CodFadda

[barrysfp45]

Pete If you check some of the ebay stores you will find sellers with watch battery and hearing aid battery holders for sale, most of these batteries are rated at 3 volts so should be great for what you want, I would check for holders that take CR 1220 3 volt batteries, these will definitely fit in N scale stuff, I have these in my roadrailer EOTs and they lay on their backs on the floor easily. ]:)

[flaretired]

If you find any other place that sells CR1220 battery holders please list the wed site. I got my holders today and realy do not like the design of them. Wish I could find the white ones used by the people at Gator Works who make the FRED cars. Chuck.

[flaretired]

I just posed a photo in My Layout of a CR1220 battery holder. Not the kind I need. I am looking for the white one as seen in the converted car photo. This one is still to big for the caboose. Will not lay flat like the white one. Chuck