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DCC Fitted Engine Won’t Run on DC?
Colin asks readers:
“I’ve purchased an HO loco fitted with a DCC chip, and it operates great on DCC, however I can’t get it to move on DC. How can I
fix this?
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7 Responses to DCC Fitted Engine Won’t Run on DC?
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HI Your loco may be fitted with a chip that’s not DC compatible. The box should indicate this.
y would he u want to run DC? DCC is a lot more fun.
Hi
Most newer engine’s on board chips are designed to recognize DC or DCC impulses and adjust accordingly. Older engines may have a switch on the chip that delineates between DCC and DC. On older yet engines when DCC was first gaining popularity one simply understood that the DCC equipped engine would not run on DC layouts. Hope this helps….
I have purchased engines with a digitrax socket that came with a jumper plugged in for DC use.(sold for people to start out on DC till they are ready to convert The jumper may have been removed prior to your purchase and a chip installed. The one’s I know about probably should not be put on Standard DC without the chip and jumper plug exchanged. Some factory installed chips can go either without a jumper. I have one engine that the instructions absolutly say do not put on DCC without the DCC chip installed or the motors will burn out The warning was right on the box.
That is my thoughts Newman Atkinson
Basically unless you know it will work on either DCC or DC without setting something, Once it is set up for DCC you probably should never put it back on Standard DC. The motors are insulated from the frame so that all power goes through the chip first. Putting a DCC Equiped engine back on to standard DC track is not good for it. Same goes the other way. Putting an engine not equipped with a chip. onto DCC can be done in many cases and yes it will run and you can control it on a 00 Code (address) and as long as it is moving will work. Don’t let it sit in a stopped position as the power is still to the motor and can do damage to the engine. Since the voltage is a bit higher on DCC it is advised that only trial runs be done. Without that chip wired it the voltage from DCC is higher but in DCC the chip adjusts the voltage needed.
I had this problem with a NCE D13SRJ decoder. It worked great when I tested it after my install, then I put it on my test track and programed in a long address, when I put it back on my new layout section which I am using to break in locomotives with a DC power pack it wouldn’t react!!! I reset the decoder and then it worked just fine in DC mode.
I contacted NCE and they said that it is a problem with CV #29 and sent me a link to a great site: http://www.2mm.org.uk/articles/cv29%20calculator.htm . Try programing CV #29 manually after you program the long address.
Did your loco come with an instruction book? It would tell you if it is dual mode capable.
Good luck
Les
I think first we should ensure novices understand the difference between DCC and DC. Most have no idea.
In simple terms DCC has electronics that sends instructions to locos using an addressing system. The track is always live at around 16 volts. Punch in the loco address, turn the knob and the loco moves.
DC is very different, the power to the track goes directly to every loco on the layout and the increase in voltage increases the speed.
Normally you either run DCC or DC, not both. DCC is the more up to date way of doing things – it is not easier, just different and as skip says, more fun.
DC is where the hobby started, and is still a valid control system so you make a choice and run with it. Don’t be afraid of the “evangelists”. Sorry Skip!
Having gotten that out of they way, your loco may not be a dual operable loco, and may need major modifications, or as suggested above, a difference chip which can sort out these issues for you.