which one ?????

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glen brooks
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Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:23 pm

which one ?????

Post by glen brooks »

Hi Lads need some help please, I have a small o gauge set up, only 2 locos, so far it runs around the room the odd weekends, but later it is for outside small set up around a pond. I have been looking at the dcc sets , but get confused which one to buy, so far keep looking at the Hornby or ez Bachmann ones? any advice welcome .......its a minefield for me, thanks glen
mjb1961
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Re: which one ?????

Post by mjb1961 »

Hi ,,,,The NCE Powercab for around £130 would be your best bet ,,it has all the functions that only some more expensive systems have ,,,mjb
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End2end
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Re: which one ?????

Post by End2end »

If it's eventually going to run outside have you considered rechargable battery / remote control power?
I was looking through the January edition of Railway Modeller recently and found.... Protocab - www.protocab.com touted as "True, battery powered wireless control" No doubt there are countless others that supply the same kind of motive power.

I have the Bachmann EZ DCC controller. It's limited as to what it can reporgramme like CV's.
Thanks
End2end
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glen brooks
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Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:23 pm

Re: which one ?????

Post by glen brooks »

thanks for the fast replys lads. glen
Bigmet
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Bigmet »

I would take some time to survey what is on offer, take a look at a specialist dealer website like this one to get some appreciation of the choice.
http://www.coastaldcc.co.uk/

If you really want to operate outdoors rather than just set a couple of locos running and left to trundle around, then a wireless handset is near essential, unless you accept that your operating position will always be very restricted by having the handset on a short lead. That pushes the price up, because indoor 'wireless handset' infra-red based systems don't work outdoors, it has to be a radio link. Makers like Digitrax, ESU, Lenz, Zimo offer such options.

There's other ways to skin this cat, DCC is not the be-all and end-all. Bachmann have recently started on a bluetooth based control system, and as already mentioned above there are various other options out there in radio control, with both live track and dead track with on-board battery power, to consider as well.
glen brooks
Posts: 61
Joined: Sat Jan 15, 2011 3:23 pm

Re: which one ?????

Post by glen brooks »

Hi Lads, thanks for the advice, I may have to bin the dcc, I have been reading and it seems the my dc loco I have would not run on the dcc set up, if I have read this correct? thanks glen
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Roger (RJ)
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Roger (RJ) »

What locos do you have? Virtually ALL locos can be converted to DCC but some are easier than others. :)
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Mountain
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Mountain »

I have used both DC and DCC. In DCC I have the Lenz system. I've had various DC controllers.
For 7mm narrow gauge I prefer using 12v DC with a Guagemaster controller. Nice and simple!
With my 00 gauge I use the DCC Lenz system.
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Mountain
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Mountain »

I think the wisest approach is to buy a basic but good DC controller. Better then the trainset type but doesn't have to be an expensive one.
At a later date convert to DCC. The reason why I say this, is the DC controller will still be used for basic testing of locos prior to fitting DCC chips or running lights or even points etc rather then using the DCC for all. Running points on traditional methods can be simpler and cheaper then DCC. You can always sell the DC controller later (Though be aware of UK laws of selling electrical equipment...).
If choosing DCC, I chose Lenz back when I bought it as the entry level controller (Lenz Compact - Sadly no longer made) was fully compatable and expandable with the system so it doubled up as a slave to the better system I later bought with Lenz. This is the best advice I can give as you can try it and if you don't like it, you are not spending too much, and if you don't like it, sell it. If you like it, buy the better system if you like, or just use it as it is. :)
Take your time.
Guagemaster do a starter DC controller called the Combi. Anyone tried it? If it gives out more power then basic trainset controllers, start with that.
Trainset controllers do work ok. They just lack power for heavier trains etc. Ok for the smaller locos.
The main thing is that any outdoor railway needs a dry area out of the rain for the controllers be they DCC or DC. DC has the big advantage in that you don't have chips to worry about if running in the rain.
It is all swings and roundabouts. I have to say I prefer DC for simplicity where you spend more time controlling trains rather then programming etc... Having said that, I also love DCC for the usefulness of stopping one loco right next to another without relying on a specific isolated track section.
Richard Lee
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Richard Lee »

Mountain wrote: Guagemaster do a starter DC controller called the Combi. Anyone tried it?
I use Gaugemaster Combis for my OO layouts. I am very satisfied with it, but please note that on the whole I use them for fairly recent OO locomotives. It does have enough power to run an older (probably 1980s produced) Hornby E2 0-6-0 chassis. The Combi also has an auxiliary 16v AC output that I use to power a HF1 'electronic track cleaner'. Like the other DC controllers from Gaugemaster, it comes with a life-time guarantee. I suspect that the main difference between it and its more expensive brethren is that it is in a smaller case, but I am open to correction on this issue.

The Combi includes a plug-into-the-wall transformer, unless you opt for the Australian model. I have one for a British 3-pin socket, and another for the 2-pin European sockets.
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Mountain
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Re: which one ?????

Post by Mountain »

Umm. Well. The old 100M was better... No idea if it's still made. Thanks for the info. update regarding the Combi.
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