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Active Member 61 posts dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

I was going to use a Digitrax system for DCC from the beginning. However, I am on a tight budget right now. I almost have the track to build my first layout in N scale using Unitrack, but don't yet have a powerpack or DCC system. I do have to say that Dave Vollmer's blog post on his experiences with Digitrax customer service was very influential in my initial decision.

Tonight I found the blog post

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/my-dilemma-sprog-vs-digitrax-zephyr-12195590

and found some additional information about JMRI and SPROG. I'm very interested in building some electronics into my layout, particularly with routing cars into a yard (see my earlier comment to my own blog post at

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/i-havent-posted-in-a-while-12194995).

I did some digging into JMRI and found the following resources. I'm planning to read up on various topics to see if its feasible for me to build or buy a DCC system. I would like to use my iPhone as a throttle instead of buying one.

http://jmri.sourceforge.net/help/en/html/hardware/sprog/SPROG.shtml

http://jmri.org/download/index.shtml

http://www.cashawayvalleyrr.com/jmri.html

http://michaelstrains.com/jmri-raspberry-pi-sprog/

Cost is a factor, of course, but I'd like to get something up and running, so buying a commercial system may be the way to go. I can always build my own later.

None of the locomotives I've bought on eBay have DCC, and are not DCC ready, so require modification to install a decoder. I may get the layout up and running with DC first. As you can see from my blog post above, the layout is pretty simple so I think the wiring will be very simple.

I have two Plymouth switchers that I plan to convert to DCC. Fortunately, someone has been there before me and left some good instructions. Since I only need power to the motor and front light, I think I'll use a Z scale decoder, which should fit better.

http://bbmgroup.com/decoders/switcher.html
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

Ulrich is competitive with what I've seen on eBay

http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/the-614/Zephyr-XTRA--dsh--Entry/Detail

 
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arthurhouston Prolific poster 1,154 posts
arthurhouston

Were Did Your Friends Buy Theirs

Your friends are going to be your greatest source of info and help were did they buy theirs.  Choice is good, I have said for now the past 20 years you have two choices NCE or Digitrax.  What did you friends have they are the ones that will help you keep and get it running.
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

No friends - yet

Although I plan to join the Piedmont division of the NMRA, I haven't yet. I'm working Google, MRH magazine (very glad it's free), and the forums and blogs I've found both here and elsewhere.
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

A very interesting alternative layout

I just found an interesting layout with detailed instructions for wiring with Digitrax products. Check it out.

http://www.digitrax.com/casestudies/nemo-junction/
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Bremner Prolific poster 1,217 posts
Bremner

dcc and a Plymouth

the Plymouth switchers have almost no room for a light. they also have issues with weight and pickup

am I the only N Scale Pacific Electric Freight modeler in the world?

https://sopacincg.com 
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

Interesting POV re Plymouth

I think I will try it as

http://bbmgroup.com/decoders/switcher.html

had excellent results with his Plymouth DCC conversion. I don't plan to use it for anything other than switching.

Any other opinions?
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Michael Tondee MRH Author 5,540 posts
Michael Tondee

You may want to check my thread.....

For further insight and discussion on this.  Like you I'm on a tight budget and have been trying to decide between a Digitrax Zephyr Extra and something else. In my case, the SPROG 3. I broached the subject here....

http://model-railroad-hobbyist.com/node/16393

Michael

Michael, A.R.S. W4HIJ

 Model Rail, electronics experimenter and "mad scientist" for over 50 years.

Member of  "The Amigos" and staunch disciple of the "Wizard of Monterey"

My Pike: The Blackwater Island Logging&Mining Co.
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

Already read that thread, Michael!

Very informative. I should have made a note in the original post.

I think I will by the Zephyr Extra for now and move to something else in the future. I do not feel I have a good grasp of the electronics involved yet so would prefer to write a layout first. Then I'll know more and can build my own on the second layout.
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dark2star Prolific poster 1,788 posts
dark2star

There was a very cheap solution

Hi,

there was a very cheap solution for DCC, however I don't know whether it's still maintained.

You needed the following for the DCC system:

- A computer with a serial port with some software,

- a serial cable (needs tweaking),

- a DCC booster.

Basically they used the serial port of the computer to implement a "software command station". This did work with "real" serial ports, but was problematic with USB-to-serial adapters AFAIR. The serial cable would then carry the low-power DCC signal.

The signal was fed into the Booster to bring it to "rail power".

Done.

Back then it would have meant a massive investment in DCC decoders for me, replacement of some locos and so on, so I built straight DC. Which is fine on a small layout.

Ah, I just found the link. Sorry, it's in German: http://vogt-it.com/OpenSource/DDL/index.php3?home

They use srcpd or erddcd as a software command station, maybe you'll find instructions there.

Have fun!
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bitlerisvj Active Member 53 posts
bitlerisvj

Piedmont Division

Don't wait, join it.  The Piedmont is one of the most active, friendliest and skilled of the NMRA divisions I have had the pleasure of meeting.  I am in the CPD (Carolina Piedmont Division) in Raleigh, NC, but am very familiar with the Piedmont Division in the Atlanta area.  They have the best conventions and lots of activities.  I always enjoy meeting these folks when I attend their conventions or the NMRA conventions.  They put on very good clinics and are very very helpful.  Depending on where you live, you could have a half dozen or more model railroaders to help you within a 5 mile radius.  Plus you have about 2 or 3 very good model train stores really close.

Good luck and regards, Vic Bitleris
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dtsmith Active Member 61 posts
dtsmith

Thanks, Vic

Let me scrape together some extra cash. The wife has two firms sniffing around right now so we may be in clover soon. Yes, the Buford, GA store is very good, but I didn't find the local Hobbytown to be very good with rail. I plan to round out my track purchases in a couple of weeks at the Buford store.

Thanks again, Dale.
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