More volts to track

Might also allow more current to flow.  
 

Definitely if you turn on O with N, they go faster!  I forgot once because I run all three scales off one DCS200

It’s not recommended. 

RTFM

https://www.digitrax.com/tsd/KB323/dcs100-mode-switch-scale-switch/

SCALE Switch (O/G HO N) This switch sets the maximum track voltage limit. 

1. Set the DCS100's SCALE switch to the scale you are running (N, HO, O\G). 

Use the lowest setting (N, HO, or O/G) that will run your layout. 

Voltage

All DCC decoders can handle any voltage, but if you try to run an N scale loco on O/G voltage, you will likely burn out motors and bulbs. HO will work fine on N scale, they just go a bit slower. The various manufacturers can't even agree on nominal track voltage, NCE says HO is 14V, Digitrax says it's 15V. Both the Zephyr and PowerCab put out 13.8V, and are suitable for both HO and N.

@Ken Rice

But Ken, c'mon, RTFM is too hard. If only the manuals came with a table of contents or an index. Or suppose the manuals came as some sort of online downloadable document -- let's call 'em "Postscript Downloadable Files" -- that one could search by using oh, say, "CTRL F" on a keyboard. Or wouldn't it be great to have some way to search for an answer using that Interweb thingy.

But no, obviously the only recourse people have is to ask orher people to do the looking for them. Pathetic, really.

Maybe I should know what RTFM is but I don't.  

Maybe I should know what RTFM is but I don't.  

For the record, I DID read

For the record, I DID read the manual.  It gave the same chart that was so graciously copy-and-pasted.  But didn't answer any of my other questions. 

Alex, thank you the additional info. 

I have an N scale layout with

I have an N scale layout with a DCS100. Found I needed to run it in the HO position to have enough voltage for proper sounds from some of my sound equipped locomotives.

@Jimfitch @Caniac

Jim,

The PG version of RTFM -> Read The Fine Manual. I always have to laugh when I say RTFM in a call with my co-workers because you can hear them gasp thinking I mean the R rated version, which I then quickly follow up with 'Read The Fine Manual' and then get a chuckle out of them.

Caniac,

PDF -> "Portable Document Format". And yes, PDF internally uses the Postscript format as the document internal "language".

n for HO

At my club we use the N setting for our HO layout without issue.

track voltage

Everything from N-O should run fine with the switch set for a DCC track voltage of 14-15 volts.  O scale does not need any more than that.  I believe G scale does though.

I believe the NMRA S9 says max track voltage should be at least 12 volts, and S9.1 (the DCC basic elec std), says at least what S9 says + 2 volts.  In other words 14 volts.

But if you don’t want to run fast you may very well be able to use the 12 volt setting for everything.

RTFM

Or the PG rated version of RTFM ... Read The Flippin' Manual ... ha!

Profanity

Overall the trend toward less profanity in the workplace and in general is great.

But I do occasionally have a little nostalgia for when the F in RTFM meant, well, what you’d think it would mean if you asked you local overworked unix sys admin how to do something for the 3rd time that day.

The other example that comes to mind is the original Macintosh developer doc which shipped to developers in loose leaf binders in 1983.  The DS in the really bad error codes did NOT stand for “Dire Straights”, as they changed it to in the final printed version of the manual for wide distribution.

What RTFM won't tell you

What the different voltage levels mean to your operation.

Yes, you can run HO on "N" voltage all day long, but if you have locos with 1.5v light bulbs you might notice a difference in brightness.  It depends on how they're wired.  I think it's less of an issue with LEDs.

Running N locos on the HO setting can feed a higher voltage to the motors than they are designed for, if you run them at higher speeds.  This can shorten their life.  This is even more true for Z scale, whose motors are usually only rated for 10 volts.

Running HO or N on the O/G setting is a bad idea.  While the decoders might be okay with the higher voltage, I have seen some pass voltage to their motors in fits and starts, even when the throttle is set to zero.  Makes the loco look like it has a bind in the gear train.

Now you can return to RTFM.

Scott Chatfield

. . .

What is even simpler... Try it and see what happens for yourself.

An HO engine on N scale setting will run a tad slower.  And it will run a tad quicker on the O-scale setting.  That indicates there is more (or less) voltage applied to the track.  So the best is follow the indication and run your layout on the indicated scale setting.  Optional is running layout on the lower setting and see if its fine by you.

Nothing bad happens unless you run the smaller scale on the higher output. This sounds pretty simple to me.       I don't even need to read the manual. 

All decoders, by design are suppose to handle the higher voltage without  imploding. If your implodes it was certainly not designed well  and did not follow the NMRA guidelines.  So get rid of it.

I run my HO layout on the N scale setting of the DCS100. I prefer the slower speed control I get from this. Also the decoders, motor  run a tad cooler, goes without saying.

Marc

HO/N

I have my HO layout set on the N scale setting. Generally I have no need to run fast so the lower setting is better and it make things last slightly longer. I also program the maximum speed in the decoders at substantially less than 100% of full speed.

N scale decoders in HO

The decoders can handle the full voltage range, so it's safe to use N scale decoders in HO models, which is common for smaller HO scale locomotives. You just don't want to be running N scale locomotives on HO scale voltage, as you will probably blow bulbs out first, and then wear out the motor sooner than it should.

For most HO layouts, N scale is probably fine, but for large clubs, the less voltage means more amperage for the same speed, sound, or lighting, so I'd try to aim for 14-15V at the railhead.