dc versus dcc

[rookie]

will all the trains equipped with dcc also run on dc? If not, which mfg.'s do? thanks ahead of time, david

[ABC]

will all the trains equipped with dcc also run on dc? If not, which mfg.'s do? thanks ahead of time, david

Not all DCC locos run on DC. It is not as cut and dry as some manufacturers do some don't, it is variable. Furthermore, the manufacturer of the locomotive has no determinant on if it runs on DC. It is solely dependent on the decoder that is in the locomotive, and it is a case by case basis. This is because most manufacturers make single mode decoders (decoders that only work with DCC) and dual mode decoders (decoders that work with DC and DCC). So, if it says it is equipped with a dual mode decoder you can run it with analog DC power, but if not it will only run on DCC. However, all Bachmann decoders are dual mode and work on DC and DCC, but all other manufacturers make both, so if you know the name of the decoder in your loco or the loco you want to buy, you can certainly ask on the forum and someone will surely be able to help you.

[guslcp]

All D'trax decoders are also dual mode, but you can turn the DC mode off....

[ABC]

All D'trax decoders are also dual mode, but you can turn the DC mode off....

No they aren't, the older digitrax decoders are only single mode. Most older decoders are DCC only/ single mode.

[Jim Banner]

The likelihood of running into an old Digitrax decoder without analogue conversion is pretty slim.  And even then you usually have the option of unplugging the decoder and plugging in a dummy plug for full 100% dc compatibility.  However, you might run into Digitrax decoders where you have to set CV13 to select which functions you want to work on dc.

Over the years, microprocessors and other controllers have increased in power and decreased in price, allowing manufacturers to implement more and better functionality into their decoders.  Automatic conversion to dc is just one of them.  Steadily increasing sales have allowed the prices of these improved decoders to be even less than their simpler predecessors.  That in turn means that even though the percentage of decoder types that did not support analogue conversion may appear significant, their actual numbers are swamped by the sheer numbers of later production.

Bottom line, not all decoders (and the locomotives they are installed in) will run on dc but such decoders, if you find one, are long overdue for an upgrade anyway.

Jim