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27 Responses to Can I Run DC and DCC on Same Layout
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My layout is set up to run on either DC or DCC. All you need is is a DPDT switch. These have 6 terminals – the 2 middle ones go to the track, 2 terminals at one end are connected to the DC supply, the 2 terminals at the other end are connected to the DCC supply. If you have a ‘centre off’ DPDT switch, then you are sure to disconnect one supply before switching to the other supply. Just remember which way the switch is thrown when you put an engine on the track.
You could also look into the MRC TECH 6 control system. It comes in a 2amp and 6amp versions. It switches from DCC to DC with a push of a button. I’ve been using one for years. The only limitation is you can only use address one through six.
Sorry all u need is a E-Z Command ® Digital Command Control System it can do it all u can control up to 9 DCC and one DC I have use this all my time and I love it it works really good
I agree with David, I model in “N” scale on a hollow core door due to limited space. My grandson runs his trains with DC and I run mine with DCC, but not at the same time. The attached photo is of my control cab.
Lloyd.
You can only run one or the other so Davids post is relevent
While David’s reply is correct the DPDT toggle switch will take the layout from DC to DCC without a problem, it’s not quite that simple as DC powered engines will not run and need to be removed (or at least electrically isolated) from the layout while the DCC equipment is run. Likewise not all DCC equipment will operate on DC (some will do both) so check your equipment carefully. You don’t want to damage things.
I agree with Allen. Older engines can be run on a DCC system. but not long because of the dc pulse
which will cause the motor to hum & over heat.
I run both but you must have the tracks insulated from each other i mean one circuit for DC and another for DCC
You can do it, but it really is not recommended. DC and DCC really aren’t compatible. One way to do it would be to use two separate track arrangements. One with a DC power supply for your DC locos and the other for your DCC equipment. The two must be separate. If left on a DCC layout, not running, the DC loco motor will overheat. Your DCC locos will NOT operate on a DC layout unless they are listed by the manufacturer to operate on DC systems. The MRC Tech 6 power pack will allow you to operate both DC and DCC locos on the same track but many of the DCC features won’t work and you can only run one loco at a time. Other options you may consider, if you have particular DC locos you really like, is to install DCC decoders. There are many decoders available which control movement, lights and sound effects. I use mostly Soundtraxx and TCS decoders as they provide the most realistic sound. Look at soundtraxx.com and TCSdcc.com
David’s post is correct. However I recommend that you make sure that you have a DPDT with center off. The main danger has been stated, most DC units will not run on DCC and may in fact burn up, and likewise, some DCC will not run on DC. Make sure non DCC units are not powered up on your DCC blocks and that any DCC units are capable of running on DC. BEST BET, never have DC units on any part of your layout when you are running DCC, then possible damage would be totally eliminated.
I HAVE DIGETRAX AND ACORDING TO INST. UR WHOLE TRACK SYS. CAN BE DCC AND U CAN RUN 1 DC TRAIN ON THE SAME TRACK WITHOUT A DP SWITCH.
Skip
You are correct that a DC engine can be run on a Digitrax system But not advised for very long. 1. DCC puts out a couple of volts more than standard DC does. The Chip you install in your engine adjusts the voltage to your motor as needed by your imputs.. A Standard DC engine will respond to inputs for a zero zero code setting on the tracks. But you have constant power on the rails So if you have the engine stopped the motor is getting full power from the power supply. This then overheats the motor. If you keep the engine moving it will not get to hot very fast. The Zero Zero code is really only to be used to test a Standard DC engine and see how it responds if you would install a chip in the engine. It is only a way to test the engine and not to run it constantly and by all means do not leave it stopped on the tracks or you will smoke your engine. The system actually tricks your DC engine to run on a zero zero code. All Digitrax system owners I know agrees with a test run of an engine but not to overdue a test run either. We recently did a test of a DC Brass Steam engine. We set Zero-zero code and ran it around the layout twice but we did not leave it stopped at anytime and we also felt the engine many times to make sure it is not getting too hot. I also have a KATO Amtrak engine that is DC. Right on the box it says not to put it on DCC unless the chip is installed or the motors will burn out. I am now installing this chip without a test run Better safe than sorry. It might be a warning that is to protect KATO MFG. But I am not taking a chance, I am installing the chip as we speak.
Newman Atkinson
I agree with most of the comments, I am going thru the same process.With the DCC locos I initially did what Peter advised when I purchased my first locos, but it is operationally restricted & soon boring.I am using the route David advises using DPDT switches. My layout is wired as common rail block system so is easy to change from one system another but you have to remove/isolate unused locos, I learned that when I heard a strange hum, which after searching over the layout found a couple of F8 units not happy, no damage done tho.I did at first buy a MRC Tech Six control unit but have now thrown my hat into the Digitrax arena with a Zephyr unit, I found out that there are compatibility issues with the two systems, but both are good.Trust this helps , John from Panama,RP
Hello, Hello….. All the above is 100% good. so I’m just adding….. I’m also running both DC and DCC. I have two layouts in one but they are connected with track that can be switched on and off. So I have 3 options. I can run both DC and DCC together or everything as DC or everything as DCC. And yes, you will have to remember the power for the Loco’s. Most DCC loco’s will run on DC, but DC loco’s generally do not like DCC. Hope this help’s, but I’m sure between all the comments you will be sorted 🙂 Cheers.
Run DC analog via track layout
RUN digital stuff via catenary = same track layout on same time
Good luck
Regards Krainer ( Denmark)
Can I run dcc engines on a dc track I have 2 dcc engines but never ran them All rest are dc
We run both at the same time using Digitraks 200 at the Khale Railroad club. You can only run one DC engine at a time and several DCC.
There are DCC decoders that will recognize DC, but you’re going to lose DCC functionality on DC track voltage.
And there are DCC systems, that allow one DC engine.
If you have a Honby Elite or Select controller you can use program 0 to control all your DC trains (at the same time) and DCC trains on the same layout.
If you have alot of DC trains then the only way would be to either use a DPDT switch as above or use isolating sidings and only have the DC trains you want to run to run.
Over time I would recommend converting all your DC trains to DCC as DC motors dont seem to like DCC, they buzz constentally
Ricki ,
As everyone says you can run on DCC with a DC engine If it is a digitrax system. ( I don’t know for sure about the other brands) But I warn you not to do it for very long as I explained to skip below. Using DC and Dcc on the same layout can get you in trouble if you get mixed up on which system is connected or switched to. Someone may accidentally set the wrong engine on the other track if you know what I mean. I have a portable layout that I can connect a standard DC or the DCC system to it depending on which engines I run. But all it takes is forgetting which system you are on and put the wrong engines on the tracks.You don’t want 2 systems to switch between as it is easy to accidentally switch it to the wrong system. Even if the tracks are separated from each other and running on a parallel track , a wrong engine on the wrong track spells future trouble. My advice is not to intermingle DC and DCC on the same layout.
Dear Ricky
I have built some lay-outs here in Brazil and all so far were built to operate in the DC system, but simply we exchange for a DCC controller and lay-outs will work normally.
At last I built, I used the feature described by David Kay, that is, I used a DPDT switch to select between DC and DCC controller.
For security reasons it is necessary to shut down a system before selecting the other, so that the voltage of a system is not present while the other, because I do not know if this can bring problem (possibly yes).
Without this concern, the key used need to shut down a system before connecting the other, so he suggests a key to “zero central” or “off center” DPDT “.
Moreover, I can assure you there is no problem, your models DC may still run on the lay-out, until they are converted to DCC, which is also quite easy.
J.Oscar from Brazil
Hello Ricky, yes you can run both DC and DCC on the same tracks but not at the same time.
Mike
Not recommended, and as they cannot be both run at the same time without the risk of letting the magic smoke escape from your DCC decoders. As you acquire new DCC locos you will wish less to use your old ones, response etc is different. My suggestion is do as I have, I have a few independent industrial lines [coal mine – steel mill – etc;] totally separate from the main railroad that uses the best few of my DC locos running back and forth automatically building to building, the others were sold at swap meets and e-bay. Those that did not sell were stripped of the motor, [can be used is scenery, a mill etc;] and the non-wired body shell with wheels disconnected electrically were then glued into a siding at the engine shed being repainted or other maintenance scenery. A DC loco worth maybe $50- is not too much to invest in a nice detailed scene, never needing to move again.
Graeme,
I wouldn’t discount your older engines just yet. It is a matter of getting the right Chip installed for that engine. I have been installing chips in some of my older engines and they have been working well. Yes if the engine does not perform well in Standard DC it won’t be any better on DCC You are right there. I have gone through my engines and one at a time I have been converting them and in most cases cheaper than buying a ready to go DCC engine. If your engine only has one truck that picks up power from the track it will likely stall on switches and power gaps. The Bachmann Thomas engine for instance runs terrible in DC but performs well in DCC It will get a chip. In DCC I can make it creep along the tracks and you can actually see his eyes move unlike in DC his slow speed is fast and his eyes are a blurr. He will get a chip when I find the right chip for it sor space and sound.
At the National train Show in Indy Bachmann and I ran each of our Thomas engines. I have older ones no sound Bachmann has one that has DC sound. But theirs was DC also and I think I can find a chip to make it just right in DCC. I started out with a commercially installed DCC to get started, I watched several installations and now I am doing them Your old engines can do well if you give them a chance. Newman
If you use the Lenz DCC system (Lenz LZV100 control unit), you can run a DC locomotive on address 0000 along with DCC locomotives. I run my non decoder-equipped locomotives along with digital ones in this way. It’s great and works well, and I highly recommend it.
Although you’ll still have to switch power at tracks manually, one solution is to have all locos non-dcc and set up a bank of say three or 4 dcc modules in parallel and switch them in manually adjacent to your power supply. You can set each dcc module with its own characteristics and use DCC controller to select a module based on what code you give each module. This way you can match which dcc module is used to power the track depending on the loco and train and have the advantage of transistor control. But this won’t let locos be selected, you’ll have to do this by isolating track sections as normal with standard 12v supply. Or just get some decent transistor controllers and stay with non-dcc! I couldn’t ever afford to put DCC modules (let alone the hassle!) in all my locos! Just a thought!
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