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Climate Control And Computer Control On Layout
Mike from Toronto in Canada is hoping to hear from someone who can help him with two model railroading problems. Mike asks readers:
Climate Control Around Layout
“Please advise the best climate control conditions for a layout in terms of temp humidity and the impact of adverse conditions on rail corrosion; loco damage; decoder damage.”
Computer Control Layout
“Although I have a DCC (NCE) system I would still like to have a computer control layout eg for CTC and to control both mobile and stationary decoders. Which software system would your readers recommend? I am playing around with JMRI but I am concerned about the loss of functionality using the USB interface. Would you recommend the CTI technology or the RailRoad Company (?) for computer control?”
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One Response to Climate Control And Computer Control On Layout
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Hi Mike, All I can help you with is your climate control. Where are you building your layout. If it is in a basement or a garage, you need to control the temperature ane the humidity or dampness. This dampness can play havoc on your layout base, ex: plywood and track with separation and swelling and shrinkage, and corrosion to the track. The temperature should be as consistant as possible, so my guess is in Canada it is too cold to do in your garage unless it is heated all the time, you did say adverse conditions. As for your loco’s the cold could gell the lube and slow things down if not completely not allow them to run. The dampness could corrode the motors in them. The decoders as with anything electronic could be damaged but could also be removed and brought inside to be safe. Hopefully you have a basement or some other indoor room to build your layout. There are some older blogs on this site that go into this a little more. If you are using plywood you should use a good sealant before you start to build in any condition. On your other topic I am strictly DC but there are plenty of older blogs here also that discuss that. Dont forget no matter what scale you are using ther are tiny electric motors, and can be tempermental. Tony P