rtr12 posted:Dan,
Thanks for the info. You said your switches control the power distribution, I presume isolating the DCS/Legacy and DCC. What are your two computer power directors? I would be interested in any wiring diagrams you might have as to how you have all the different systems connected, isolated, etc. My layout is wired for DCS, closely following Barry's book as best as I could. Legacy was added after DCS.
As I said it's a way off for me, but I really do want to have DCC to fiddle with someday. JMRI is also something I would like to fiddle with as well. I don't know much about JMRI either. It's wifi capabilities would be one thing I didn't know about.
Did you research all the DCC control systems? How do you like the NCE system? I have looked at DCC control systems a little and NCE was (still is) also my choice. Easy DCC looked interesting, but I think I still prefer NCE and they have some add on items that I believe they said will handle the higher power needed for O gauge.
Thanks again for the info.
RT12
Yes I can isolate DCS/Legacy and DCC as they do not work with DCC different form of control signal. I got Legacy added to my DCS and it works great. When I wired the San Diego 3-Railers layout it was a big learning curve because everyone was telling me it would not work. That system runs DCS and TMCC (Legacy) too. I did a swan dive to speak of into the patents of both system and they were compatible. MTH engineering was a great help and I was asking questions at the time they did not want to answer but found that Jason Wenzel was very helpful and steered me in the right direction. Berry's books are great references when dealing with DCS but we're not around when I was dealing with it. I had been installing TAS and that was another big plus for me. Phil and Mike Regan will also great help and Mike is now service for Lionel. Lou F (IC-controls) was also helpful when I was doing the wiring I learned some tricks with DCS by stumbling on them and they proved spot on into the workings of DCS. From my experience with EMI-RFI interference in the Navy it was easy for me to isolate most of the problems if not all of them. Craftsmanship on wiring is one of the biggest plus's.
JMRI has a yahoo group that has some very good information,Check it out.
As for the NCE and DCC remember that the 2-rail O-scale has been using DCC for a long time and from what I have found their experience and be used in running DCC on 3-rail does cross over. All 3-rail does is move the power rail to the center of the track basically. They also run passenger cars with lighting and with LED's this has change current drain too. The engines motors run on DC and yes you can convert Lionel Pullmor to dc as well, 2-rail has done that for years. I have seen some great looking Lionel Pullmor engines running DCC.
