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DCC for multi scales, is there such a thing? Track and electrical/DCC
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Regular poster 297 posts Crusty Old Shellback Regular poster 297 posts
Crusty Old Shellback

Hi all. I know that the selection of a DCC system has been beat to death around here and everyone has their favorite, so I'm not really looking for a particular system in that regards.

What I am looking for is to use a single DCC system to run 2 different scale layouts. Here's the jist. I have a permanent N scale layout in my garage that I am building and that will be my main usage of a DCC system. However, I have a G scale layout that I set up at Christmas. I just purchased a Bachman Spectrum 55T 3 truck Shay with a Tsunami sound decoder for my G scale layout. After playing with it a bit, I'm now hooked on it and want to also run it on DCC.

So my questions, is there a DCC system that I can run both layouts on knowing that the G scale will require more power? What I am looking for is a system that will be semi permanently hooked up to my N scale layout. When Christmas rolls around and I set up my G scale layout, I want to be able to just unhook the N scale layout and move the command station, etc over to the G scale layout and run it.

So is there a system that can do this as a complete system? Or would I need say an extra booster, power supply, etc, to make something like this work?

Thanks for any and all inputs.

My arms got too short so I've switched to G scale. Old steam and early diesel are my choice of loco. Scratch built is better.
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

My experience . . .

I have a Bachmann 3-truck 55-ton Shay (http://www.mrdccu.com/layouts/RMP/). I can run it with my PowerCab, so any NCE system can run it alone for your Christmas needs. I cannot state from personal experience that it will perform with any other smaller system, but I believe so. I recommend you select whatever system you want for your N-scale pike and test the Shay on it before you buy!

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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akarmani Regular poster 298 posts
akarmani

There sure is such a thing

Digitrax booster has the ability to switch from "n", "ho", and "o/g" scale.
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Bruce Petrarca Frequent poster 920 posts
Bruce Petrarca

The Digitrax switch . . .

is just their track voltage adjustment. It works, assuming you have the correct input power supply, etc. The transformer or power supply necessary to supply the Digitrax O/G (18 volt) setting will be way too much voltage for the (12 volt) N-scale setting, resulting in about 1/3 of your track power being turned into head inside the system box! However, the Bachmann Shay in question runs fine with a 13 volt track setting!

Bruce Petrarca, Mr. DCC; MMR #574
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Crusty Old Shellback Regular poster 297 posts
Crusty Old Shellback

Thanks for the ideas, I'll

Thanks for the ideas, I'll see what I can come up with as I have been leaning towards the Digitrax system.

So in theory, I could use the same command station for both and use a different power supply for each layout, a 12V power supply for my N scale and a 18V for my G scale. Is this correct?

 

And yes Bruce, that is the same Shay I have. Love the detail on it and the Tsunami sound is great. Can't wait to hook it up to a DCC system so I can play with all the different sounds.

My arms got too short so I've switched to G scale. Old steam and early diesel are my choice of loco. Scratch built is better.
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DKRickman Prolific poster 3,069 posts
DKRickman

I've seen it done

A friend and co-worker mounted his Digitrax system in a watertight plastic box (something like a tool box, from the look of it.  He uses it primarily for his outdoor large scale layout but also for an N scale layout indoor with his young son.  When going from one to the other, he simply has to remember to set the switch on the booster for the scale he'll be running.  The entire setup works without having to swap out any components.

Ken Rickman

Danville & Western HO modeler and web historian

http://southern-railway.railfan.net/dw/
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Logger01 Prolific poster 1,786 posts
Logger01

No problem

Needing to power multiple systems including N, HO and S modular and garden layouts, I have built several power systems installed in tool boxes. All of my DCC systems are built around Digitrax components, but I have assisted with the development of NCE systems to be used to run modular N, HO and S layouts and portable Large Scale layouts. You do have to deal with switching the voltage to match the scale, but for small layouts the power dissipation in a Digitrax booster is a non issue (i.e. The smaller the scale the lower the current and power dissipation).

Note almost any DCC system will power your LS Shay which usually draws about 2 Amps.

Ken K

gSkidder.GIF 
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