Startup
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:14 am
Startup
Hi, I am very very new to this and very old, so I have some fundamental questions. I live in Austria and due to Brexit it will be impractical to purchase mail order from the UK so, I guess I will go with HO entirely and not OO/HO. So first question is track. I am dismayed at the variety on offer so what would be the best to go with. I suspect PECO, which is available here but what profile? I am inspired by Little Wicket and the use of electronics so first I will build a straight with a siding and try to automate it. So next comes locomotive. Can anybody recommend an 060 in HO which is either DCC or DCC ready. Maybe a UK forum is not the place for HO but though I live in Austria my German is not up to resolving these questions. Many thanks
Re: Startup
Hi, I live in the Philippines and try to model OO. Since the start of the epidemic I've ordered 2 parcels of railway stuff. Both of these were posted using the normal UK post service (one from 'Hattons' and one from 'End to End' another forum member) Both parcels arrived safely although delivery took almost 3 months, rather that the usual 3 weeks.
I use Peco sectional track (Code 100). This choice is rather forced on me as flexitrack is only available in 1 meter lengths and can only be forwarded by courier which more than triples its cost. I'm going to presume that you can purchase Peco track more locally and will be able to obtain flexitrack. In which case I would recommend code 80 as it is easier to cut and manipulate, although please be advised by other much more experienced modellers on this forum.
I use Peco sectional track (Code 100). This choice is rather forced on me as flexitrack is only available in 1 meter lengths and can only be forwarded by courier which more than triples its cost. I'm going to presume that you can purchase Peco track more locally and will be able to obtain flexitrack. In which case I would recommend code 80 as it is easier to cut and manipulate, although please be advised by other much more experienced modellers on this forum.
Re: Startup
Welcome Roger. Wien definitely had at least one model railway specialist shop when I was last there in 2006, which if it still exists should stock all the catalogues, and have a lot of HO on display. Brands such as Roco and Trix will be a good place to start in HO for the locos and stock.
I like Roco, and they are an Austrian outfit so will be well supported. Take a look here. https://www.roco.cc/en/news/catalogs/index.html
Track, personally I would start with Peco's code 75 streamline; but once you have found a retailer, you are probably best advised to look at the options in HO set track systems to get yourself started. These are vastly more sophisticated than what is on offer from UK manufacturer's set track: ready ballasted, huge choice of curve radii, large selection of pointwork with integrated motors. If you want to get a layout going quickly, this is a good option.
And an English language forum that has HO participants: https://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/i ... owforum=30
All the best with your plans.
I like Roco, and they are an Austrian outfit so will be well supported. Take a look here. https://www.roco.cc/en/news/catalogs/index.html
Track, personally I would start with Peco's code 75 streamline; but once you have found a retailer, you are probably best advised to look at the options in HO set track systems to get yourself started. These are vastly more sophisticated than what is on offer from UK manufacturer's set track: ready ballasted, huge choice of curve radii, large selection of pointwork with integrated motors. If you want to get a layout going quickly, this is a good option.
And an English language forum that has HO participants: https://www.modelrailforum.com/forums/i ... owforum=30
All the best with your plans.
Re: Startup
In regards to track, it all depends what you are planning to run on it, as older models used to be made with larger flanges, which is why for most people who want to use either 00 or H0, and want to ensure they can run most model locomotives and rolling stock that they come across, I would use code 100 as it is rare that anything does not run on it which uses the same gauge. It also has the advantage that our (Here in the UK) trainsets and sectional trck systems are usually made with code 100 track.
Having said that, if one is going to stick to models with finer scale wheels, then here in the UK we would say to use code 75 track. Now with H0 being a different scale to 00, you will most likely find other railheights in use. In the USA code 83 (Or was it 82?) is very popular out there. If you are enjoying your electronics and just want the train aspect to suppliment your love of electronics, (So one just wants something nice to run back and fore), but one is not thinking of enlarging ones fleet of locomotives and rolling stock that goes behind it, then get something nice and finescale and use code 75 track or whatever finescale track which is popular where you live.
Having said that, if one is going to stick to models with finer scale wheels, then here in the UK we would say to use code 75 track. Now with H0 being a different scale to 00, you will most likely find other railheights in use. In the USA code 83 (Or was it 82?) is very popular out there. If you are enjoying your electronics and just want the train aspect to suppliment your love of electronics, (So one just wants something nice to run back and fore), but one is not thinking of enlarging ones fleet of locomotives and rolling stock that goes behind it, then get something nice and finescale and use code 75 track or whatever finescale track which is popular where you live.
Modelling On A Budget ---》 https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/F ... 22&t=52212
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- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:14 am
Re: Startup
Well things have moved on somewhat. It is defiantly HO and I have found a huge cache of old Fleischmann and Roco trains being sold slowly on the Austrian equivalent of Ebay. So I have decided to buy one and convert to DCC then make a small straight with siding and fully automate with sensors and control via an Arduino. I have never done anything like this before but it is either this or Neflix!. So, I have started with a Fleischmann 1316 and striped it down, cleaned it up and got it running on the desk. (currently no track). But one thing perplexes me. if I power the body and one brush there is power to both brushes. My question is, with dcc, can I just interrupt the feed to the brushes with the decoder and power the decoder from the chassis and the pickup? At this early stage, as I am only learning, I would only want the engine to go forward and backward.
Once I master this I will progress to something a little more sophisticated.
Thanks for any advice.
Once I master this I will progress to something a little more sophisticated.
Thanks for any advice.
Re: Startup
DCC decoders have to have both motor brushes and both track feeds (Via the wheels) isolated. There are a few designs which one can only isolate one side as the one brush and set of wheels current meets directly through the metal chassis.
I am a bit out of touch with DCC as I went into DCC around the year 2000, but back then I did hear about half wave DCC decoders that were made for such senarios though I am not sure who made them or if anything like this is still made.
The old Hornby Zero 1 (Is not compatable with DCC as is an earlier command control system) used to use half wave decoders so only had three wires coming out of them.
Usually though there are ways to isolate to use normal DCC decoders, though some require so much work it is questionable if it is worth it. One must test everything to ensure it is isolated before hard wiring in a decoder.
Hornby Ringfield motors are a perfect example. Most of them easily isolate when one dissconnects the wires BUT on just one or two tender driven locos, they had hidden connections which are not visible and if I had assumed they were the same as the similar locos fitted to my old Hornby diesels and just wired them up without doing a check to ensure they are isolated, I could have fried a rather expensive decoder! So always check...
It maybe an idea to type in your individual loco into an internet search engine to see how others have fitted decoders to them as it will save you a lot of work if you can see how others have done it on that loco. Difficult locos usually will have someone who has shared how they did it.
I am a bit out of touch with DCC as I went into DCC around the year 2000, but back then I did hear about half wave DCC decoders that were made for such senarios though I am not sure who made them or if anything like this is still made.
The old Hornby Zero 1 (Is not compatable with DCC as is an earlier command control system) used to use half wave decoders so only had three wires coming out of them.
Usually though there are ways to isolate to use normal DCC decoders, though some require so much work it is questionable if it is worth it. One must test everything to ensure it is isolated before hard wiring in a decoder.
Hornby Ringfield motors are a perfect example. Most of them easily isolate when one dissconnects the wires BUT on just one or two tender driven locos, they had hidden connections which are not visible and if I had assumed they were the same as the similar locos fitted to my old Hornby diesels and just wired them up without doing a check to ensure they are isolated, I could have fried a rather expensive decoder! So always check...
It maybe an idea to type in your individual loco into an internet search engine to see how others have fitted decoders to them as it will save you a lot of work if you can see how others have done it on that loco. Difficult locos usually will have someone who has shared how they did it.
Modelling On A Budget ---》 https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/F ... 22&t=52212
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Re: Startup
In principle I have cracked it. I am trying to buy an insulated motorshield from Fleischmann and if I can get that then I am reasonably confident. As to chip, since there are chips for N gauge I don't think that it will be a problem. Can anybody suggest a small chip with motor function only?
Re: Startup
I don't think you will find many good decoders currently in production that offer motor control only; because most of the market wants to control auxiliary doodads like lights, smoke, couplings etc. and these are easily (= cheaply) incorporated in the design.
My best advice for your requirement: buy Zimo, excellent range of small decoders with fine motor control. I don't know in detail what they offer specifically for N, but some of my OO locos are running around with Zimo 'Next18' MX618 decoders inside; and that's an N size decoder fully capable of handling the larger current draw typical in OO, while delivering refined running performance.
My best advice for your requirement: buy Zimo, excellent range of small decoders with fine motor control. I don't know in detail what they offer specifically for N, but some of my OO locos are running around with Zimo 'Next18' MX618 decoders inside; and that's an N size decoder fully capable of handling the larger current draw typical in OO, while delivering refined running performance.
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- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:14 am
Re: Startup
Thanks, I will order one as soon as I get confirmation that I can get the isolated motor shield from Fleischmann.
Great help guys, very many thanks
Great help guys, very many thanks
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- Posts: 7
- Joined: Sun Apr 18, 2021 11:14 am
Re: Startup
Can anybody tell me what is the appropriate transformer to use for the small DCC system I am planing?
Re: Startup
I am not sure what electricity supply is commonly used in Australia, but make sure it has the right voltage and can push out at least the right amperage that the controller needs to use.
Most smaller DCC starter systems tend to need around 2.5 amps at 18 volts, but they do vary. Check the requirements of ones desired DCC control system.
I know (Or can easily find out by checking my system) what older Lenz systems need, but I am not sure about other DCC systems.
Most smaller DCC starter systems tend to need around 2.5 amps at 18 volts, but they do vary. Check the requirements of ones desired DCC control system.
I know (Or can easily find out by checking my system) what older Lenz systems need, but I am not sure about other DCC systems.
Modelling On A Budget ---》 https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/F ... 22&t=52212
- Ironduke
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Re: Startup
In Australia we use 240V but I think RogerVienna is from Austria, hence the "Vienna" partMountain wrote:I am not sure what electricity supply is commonly used in Australia
Regards
Rob
Rob
Re: Startup
Ah. I did not have my glasses.Ironduke wrote:In Australia we use 240V but I think RogerVienna is from Austria, hence the "Vienna" partMountain wrote:I am not sure what electricity supply is commonly used in Australia
But isn't Vienna in Italy?
Modelling On A Budget ---》 https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/F ... 22&t=52212
Re: Startup
Not at the moment. But given past border rearrangements in that part of Europe I wouldn't rule it out forever,Mountain wrote: ...But isn't Vienna in Italy?
Re: Startup
I need a map! Hehe.
Modelling On A Budget ---》 https://www.newrailwaymodellers.co.uk/F ... 22&t=52212