Large Scale Central

Psuedo-DCC control

Electronics Power and Sound
#1

I am aware that it is not April 1st, but had a thought in relation to using full power to the rails and then altering the power sensed at the motor terminals using an ‘onboard’ Aristo 27 meg trackside receiver monted in a tender or rolling stock. This would entail routing all power pickups to the tender or rolling stock and then an umbilical cord to the locomotive. I feel that the advantage would be full track power for smoke units and lighting intensity plus the advantage of having full power to the rails, which I believe would aid in power dropoff/pickup.

This would in effect be a R/C DCC control with the receiver acting as the decoder. What are the possibilities, pros and cons of such a system? A ten-amp decoder would be as expensive as the Aristo 27 meg receiver. With the later transmitters going into sleep mode, this may be a problem and access to a complete power cutoff switch at the power supply would be a necessity. Is this a pipe dream or a reality???

Some may say why not simply provide battery power and simplify the scenario. however, the prospect of full voltage power to the rails with onboard control stimulates my thought process. I am wholeheartedly anti-DCC, so this form of control is not an option. This would limit one taking a loco to another railroad as the installation would need to be specific for the power control intended, unless a conversion switch was incorporated.

#2

I’ve known others that have used a similar method. They were able to run on anyone’s track. All they had to do was turn the power to the track up to the desired voltage. Aristocraft’s 75mh system is designed so that you can use it with the accessory board with full power to the tracks. This gives “constant lighting” to passenger cars etc. as the full track voltage is always there. I think Steve Featherkile has run his track powered TE behind other trains on the same track that were fully track power.

#3

Indeed I have. It takes a little “futzing” to get the settings just right, but the way to start is to get the “track power loco” up to speed, then start the Aristo loco with the 75 mhz receiver. I’m sure the same thing would apply to a 27 mhz receiver in the tender or trail car. You might be running on 14 - 15 volts, but it works, and you have 2 trains on the same track. As always, pay attention to rear end collisions.

#4
Steve Featherkile said:
As always, pay attention to rear end collisions.
And they found Casey Jones with his finger on the throttle button ...

Of course, if the trains happened to be heading in opposite directions, you wouldn’t have to worry about the rear end …

#5

For the first time in my life, I am speechless… :smiley:

#6
Steve Featherkile said:
For the first time in my life, I am speechless.... :D
Date, time and occasion duly noted and marked! :P :lol: :lol:
#7

Along the same line …I have a AC train Engineer controlling track power , and another , to control the catenary power , and yes , a couple of times used the buttons on the wrong one to try and stop things from going bump on the same track . I gotta idenify them better than just a piece of tape that I have now . I like it because its easy to run two on the same track now .

#8

Put a functioning pantograph on the one for the cat. :lol: :lol:

#9

Tim, for being anti-dcc you sure make a good case for it.

Constant track power does simplify running lights, smoke, etc.

Your example though is nothing more than a Aristo TE on board like many people do, or straight DCC as many of us do.

Not sure what is anti-dcc about you… but if you do not like sending the signals over the rails, and like all the interference and range issues wireless receivers in the locos give you, why not use AirWire with a QSI decoder and the receiver unit that plugs into the QSI (that can receive the AirWire)… then you can set your loco up for battery or track power, even put in a switch to change over easily.

Out of curiosity, just why are you wholeheartly anti-dcc? What is it that really bugs you?

Regards, Greg

#10

Greg,
I feel that the environment of an outdoor railroad is not conducive to consistent/reliable transfer of the appropriate DCC track signals. Many have proven otherwise, so it is my personal opinion. I feel that an onboard ‘trackside’ with full track power is a cheaper alternative than a full DCC setup. I have no need for multiple signals as I am only interested in speed and direction. If required I could use an Aristo receiver to signal horn/whistle or lights on command, but even that is relatively unimportant to me. apart from some tricky wiring situations (like reverse loops) one could dispense with the duration limit of an onboard battery R/C.

    I feel the trackside has proven its worth and was simply trying to reinvent the wheel and solve a few inherent problems.  I feel that a multiple trackside arrangement would give multiple locomotive operation and even allow 'mu-ing' of compatible locomotives.  I am not a 'techno geek' and prefer a simple alternative to a complicated situation.