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5 Responses to DCC Loco Question
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The answer to both questions is yes, but you don’t need to turn a DCC locomotive into DC, that is, remove the decoder and rewire it. DCC decoders can be set to run on both DC and DCC
when they are initially programmed.
DCC into DC, yes. If you know the basic two wires that feed the locomotive motor, you may remove all the rest. I’ve hard-wired a dcc (with sound) loco into dc.
DCC locomotives on DC layouts… yes, if they were manufactured with DCC… and you have not changed the address of it. Usually these are addressed as “3” or “003”.
People who have added decoders or programmed them since they were first obtained would need to re-address them to “3” or “003” before running them on DC layouts.
Also if they are already DCC just remove the decoder and install the jumper plug it came with without the chip decoder This works on engines that came wired ready for DCC but did not come with the chip Decoder. Never throw away the jumper plug. I am not sure I would ever want to go back to standard DC as after I have used DCC I find I can do so much more even on a cheap decoder chips
from Newman.
Good advice Newman. Likewise don’t throw away the packaging and ifo that comes with any of your locos, rolling stock or electronics. The info they contain is of inestimable value, and if you ever want to sell them they ensure a better price and bigger market
Regards
David
DAVID ,
I agree always save at least one copy of instructions, and the jumpers the engines come with. I have been trying to get a friend to add DCC to his layout. He has Narrow Gauge HO Steam and sounds would only come up after the throttle was increased. on Ready to Roll DCC / DC engines. It is a dual gauge layout that he was running several DC Power packs, But he was limited to minimum running engines on Standard DC So we took DCC with us and tied in to his very large layout and ran it on it. I think he will be buying a DCC system very soon. He was afraid of all the engines he would not be able to use ( he has over 100 engines in his collection). All it takes is getting a couple sets of engines converted and the rest as he gets to them. (or purchase a few ready to roll DCC and learn how to convert the others. There are a lot of RR friends out there that will help with learning to convert them. But I think he seen what all you can do in DCC. One of them is being able to run two different trains on the same track and in opposite directions while being powered by the same power. Even Team power in consists and direct the control to the team and not multiple different engines to get the job done. DCC is the way to go and yes it is scary at first but with experience it becomes easy. from Newman Atkinson