DCC Stationary decoders articel

Overall a good basic article but I thought a few things were  missing, maybe due to constraints on article length. 

Regarding auxiliary power, some decoders like the DS64 can operate on auxiliary power with any connection to track power.  In fact reading users comments indicate that the DS64 can be somewhat unreliable when operated on track power alone.

For the Hare, a mention of the auto throw capability would have been a good addition.  Auto throw makes a reverse loop easier to implement.

Finally some mention of wiring for pushbutton control to avoid problems caused by electrical noise would enhance the article.  I only have experience with the DS64 and noise can be a big problem with it.  I think that especially when retrofitting an old DC layout with DCC, wiring issues can cause numerous problems due to electrical noise.

Thanks for listening and all in all a good article.

Dale Gloer

Stationary decoders

A good introductory article.  It would be nice to see a table comparing the various features of the several stationary decoders on the market, ie. Loconet compatible; single coil, double coil, Tortoise/Cobalt, servo; feedback capability, etc.

My NCE-based club layout has used Hares & Wabbits for about 8 years with very few problems.  Once they're installed, they have run 100% reliably.  Two of their special features are auto-throw and routes stored within the decoder rather than within the command station.  The latter places fewer demands on the command station; and the routes we have built have never been corrupted by shorts, noise, battery failure or power outages.  The one weakness is the lack of a complete feedback system for an NCE-based layout.  You can feed turnout position information to an NCE Auxiliary Input Unit (AIU), but each AIU takes up one throttle slot, which becomes impractical for a large club layout.  Still waiting for DCC Specialties to solve that problem.

Cab addresses?

Dear Steve,

I thought that was (one issue) the recent PowerCab firmware upgrade was meant to address?
(extra throttle addresses, the higher-number ones being specifically for AIU and USB interfaces?)

Alternatively, if you're running a "Pro CAB" system with seperate booster and command station, don't they have something like 64 cab addresses? How many throttle handsets and AIUs does the club layout require?

Happy Modelling,
Aim to Improve,
Prof Klyzlr

Right you all are

Column length is an issue. I wanted to hit the basics of what to expect from a stationary decoder and let the forum (here) add to it. While I have a lot of DCC experience, I haven't seen NEARLY everything.

For example, Dale, how did you work with the noise issues?

Steve, please keep us up to date on what your club is doing for NCE feedback.

"Keep those cards and letters coming", as they used to say on TV. Please share your experiences, questions, concerns, etc. here. The goal of this venue is to share.