dc to DCC

[bobclifford1953]

hi i am thinking of changing to dcc from dc all the wiring is on a bus wire do i need two controllers to operate the locos in opposite directions to each other on different loops like doing now on dc im new to dcc and have had to rejoin the forum due to losing my logging in details your help on this would be very useful to a novice in dcc and returning modeler after years away due to work raising a family and now looking forward to retirement and building my layout as a way of relaxing regards bob

[Steve M]

Bob, DC to DCC or DCC to DC? Your title contradicts the text.

[bobclifford1953]

my mistake i am thinking of going from dc to dcc sorry for the confusion caused regards bob

[Steve M]

The whole point of DCC is that each loco has its own digital identity via an onboard decoder and one controller is used for the whole layout. And that means that a number of locos can be running at the same time although be aware that only one (the last one that received a command) is actually ‘under control’. But switching between locos is not difficult.

[Mike Parkes]

One DCC controller can work a number of locos and accessories at once; but if you want individual control at the same time of more than one loco then you need an extra handset or add on control depending on the DCC system use choose. All the track feeds are connected live to the dcc system and any DCC controller can work any part of the layout. If the layout is existing all you need to do is switch all sections switches on and combine together the output wires that currently are powered by your DC controllers and connect them to the DCC system. Make sure all locos have a decoder fitted to them; many systems claim to be able to work one dc loco but it is not a good idea as motor damage is very likely to occur.

[RAF96]

You can only have one DCC controller in circuit, unlike DC where you can have one controller per ‘zone’.

If you think about it a DCC controller puts a standing voltage onto the whole track and sends a data stream to the on track vehicles. To have more than one DCC controller connected together would mean having two standing voltages applied and separate but intermingled data streams. That cannot work and could damage your controllers and possibly your loco decoders.

Walkabout handsets mentioned above work by sending their commands to the master controller for passing to the track.
Rob

[Paul-H]

Don't forget with many of the better DCC systems (and some of the not so good DCC Systems) you can have mote than one handset connected at the same time, so more than one loco can be controlled at the same time.

Paul

[RAF96]

Even the humble Hornby Select can run up to seven handsets in cascade.
Rob

[bobclifford1953]

thanks for all the replies i will start to do some of the work asap using a hornby select with an uprated power transformer and see how i get on with my dcc locos first if its ok i will then attempt dcc chip some of my dc locos as i have quite a few worth doing thanks to everyone good modeling @ great website to novices like myself for help and assistance

[RAF96]

You may want to get your Select updated by Hornby if you want to operate all 29 functions (v1.5), e.g. sound locos.
Early versions can only operate 9 functions. Watch the startup screen. 1x 30 03 where 1x is your version number.
Rob