Does anyone have experience with Easy DCC for garden railways? It looks like an interesting system but I can’t find anyone using it.
I’m sure that it has a niche in the DCC market, but don’t think it is as big as they thought.
My take is that DCC is where people go that want all the bells and whistles. To go to a system that is “easy” normally means a restriction in functionality.
I would think that this tradeoff is not what everyone that goes DCC wants.
Regards, Greg
In the non-large-scale world, DCC is the way to go, hands down. It gives the freedom to my N scale layout that battery and RC gives to my large scale stuff outside. No more block wiring, minimal loop and wye wiring. Everything is wired together in one (or more, depending on capacity) blocks. Trains run independent of block location. Consisting and adjustment of speed of locomotives in a consist is (often) automatically taken care of by the system. Most DCC systems will interface with a computer and various software/hardware systems to provide signaling and block protection.
Can you tell I heart my DCC system?
I use Easy DCC for my HO railroad. It isn’t powerfull enough to use with G scale. You will burn out the system very soon. CVP makes Airwire 900 which is a DCC based radio control battery system There are other DCC systems made for G scale although I’m not familiar with them. I do use the Airwire 900 system though.
Roger Crooks said:The CVP people have 10 amp boosters for large scale and guarantee compatiblity with NMRA certified decoders, I am looking at them and NCE for my DCC system. From my research CVP appears through all the forums to have the best radio and NCE the best following for power capability. I have not purchased yet, but will not buy till the fall.
I use Easy DCC for my HO railroad. It isn't powerfull enough to use with G scale. You will burn out the system very soon. CVP makes Airwire 900 which is a DCC based radio control battery system There are other DCC systems made for G scale although I'm not familiar with them. I do use the Airwire 900 system though.
Mark
Mark said:Roger Crooks said:The CVP people have 10 amp boosters for large scale and guarantee compatiblity with NMRA certified decoders, I am looking at them and NCE for my DCC system. From my research CVP appears through all the forums to have the best radio and NCE the best following for power capability. I have not purchased yet, but will not buy till the fall.
I use Easy DCC for my HO railroad. It isn't powerfull enough to use with G scale. You will burn out the system very soon. CVP makes Airwire 900 which is a DCC based radio control battery system There are other DCC systems made for G scale although I'm not familiar with them. I do use the Airwire 900 system though.Mark
Mark:
I have taken the plunge and ordered a 10amp system from CVP. Later this summer I will let you know how I made out.
I have been using the NCE Pro 10 system witha 10 amp booster. This is the wired/wireless system. What I mean is you can either plug in the controller or use the RF wireless function of the controller. Saves on batteries if you do not need wireless all the time.
I looked at many different DCC systems and I thought the NCE had the best user freindly controller. NCE also make a decoder of the USA Trains and Charlie Ro engines (D808 SR Decoder) with warranty repair.
From their website:
“This Silent RunningTM decoder is specifically designed for high stall current large scale locomotives such as those produced by USA Trains and Charles Ro. The decoder has 8 function outputs each capable of ½ Amp and a stall rating of 30 Amps with 8 Amps average running current. It measures 3.7” x 1.4" x 0.6"."
The D408 decoder would fit most other engines, you get 4 amp output, and 8 function outputs
From their website:
“This is a true 4 Amp (12 Amp peak) self contained decoder for S, O and large scale with connectorized wire harnesses. Functions supported: Headlight(s) plus seven additional function outputs. All function outputs have extended effects generators capable of producing Mars lights, Ditch lights, Strobes, Beacons, etc. for each function output if desired. Size: 2.35” x 1.2" x 0.35"."
I first read about DCC 20 plus years ago and have waited this long for the product to mature.
DCC works much better today for largescale, the functionality has improved but the technology has gotten very complex which I feel is a major issue why many largescalers do not want to use DCC.
DCC is easy to use as a basic system, when you get comfortable with DCC to run your trains then add consists (not hard to do), then add operating the turnouts, then signals, and if you want go into computer software control from basic programming software for the decoder, to block control while running your trains, to full automation, etc.
You can pick the level you want to stop at.
If our hobby is going to survive in todays technology we need to accept change and make sure all generations have something in the hobby to get and keep their interest. Look at the age groups that have Garden railroads now, checkout the emebership in your clubs, where are the pre-teens, teenagers, 20-35 age group, 35-50 age group?
Oops, got to get off my soap box for now.
DCC is one of the product that can do that, I noticed that at the NMRA conventon in Philadelphia last year, the younger generations where not interested in just seeing a train running around a loop of track, they really liked the capability of DCC and computer control. Our hobby must change with the times or it will die along with us. I am near retirement age, but have embraced the new technology.
Update on my progress with DCC. Last week I finally installed an Easy DCC system from CVPproducts. 10 amp booster and wireless throtle. I was up and running in only a few minutes. Two locos on my outside loop (about 200 feet of track) One was an LGB Mogul with a Lenz decoder and the other one a small LGB Diesel with MTS II decoder. I have not yet tried to program anything as I am concentrating on getting down the rest of my track.