Quote from: jsmvmd on May 20, 2007, 07:39:17 PM
Dear Hunt,

Many thanks for your fine insight and concise posts, especially Alan Gartner's fine link. They have helped me tremendously. I am not imbued with too much electro-mechanical insight. Thus, this stuff is very strange. However, one presses on to keep current. Too, I am not getting any younger. Thus, time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana. (Got that from Omni magazine years ago).

Best Wishes,

Jack

Jack, you’re welcome. Always glad to try to help folks like yourself who put forth an effort to do the research trying to help themselves.

As you know from reading a few of my posts, which were on the old Board, I don’t completely agree with all of Alan Gartner’s thinking and information. Example, I am in the school of thought preferring to use circuit breakers instead of taillight bulbs (bulb - technically known as  lamp).

Some of the material is overkill and some of it is written in a way someone might conclude it is the only way when in fact it is not. Nevertheless, I point some people to the Wiring for DCC website because there is lots of information there and it is fairly well organized (the addition of Site Map & Index awhile back is a big improvement)  but most of all the stuff works if you use it.

E-Z Command Control Center can only program a decoder's primary address (limited to addresses 1 â€" 9) and the direction of travel. Can not program other CVs.

Click http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/newez/index.php?ezpage=4   for more info.

For DCC, you don't need the PCB.

Hard-wire a decoder that fits and place a resistor in the light circuit.

Gene,
Beyond your original question.
Go to http://www.wiringfordcc.com/track.htm

Scroll down to
                                TESTING
RECOMMENDATION:  Build a Short Detecting Beeper BEFORE You Start ANY DCC Track Wiring!

Use a multimeter. Or connect power pack to a few sections of track and note which way the locomotive runs compared to the Direction switch position.

Cookie,
Did you take into consideration Rich wrote,

QuoteI then took everything off track, and put on an engine that hadn't previously been on the track, and it took off full tilt, like the diesels.

in making your suggestion for him to try to reset the decoders?

Rich,
Give what Bob suggest a try.

I thought about suggesting it; but, dismissed it as the conditions addressed by such action (disable power source conversion) I would not expect to be there with only one locomotive on the track unless you did something to your layout’s wiring, DCC power booster or added something to the layout, which now interferes with the DCC signal.

Disable the Power Source Conversion by programming a value of 0 to CV 29, Bit 2. Or the easy way, subtract 4 from the value now in CV 29 and program the answer to CV 29.

Rich,
Know the reversed decoder or the way you programmed the locomotives in the consist has nothing to do with the issue you have.

When you turned power on, for a brief moment the power draw is almost equal the sum of the stall draw of all the locomotives on the track plus what is needed to charge the capacitors. The NCE command station should protect itself (maybe it did not) from power draw past its rating if that is what you created.

Without any locomotives on the track short circuit the track. After the command station and any booster you have resets then place a locomotive on track. If it takes off … contact NCE.

Yes.

•   With power off, remove all locomotives from the track.
•   After at least five minutes with power off, turn power on.
•   Test run each locomotive as it is placed back on the track.
•   Place the sound locomotives back on the track last and test run, activate sounds.
•   Tell us what happens.
•   What brand and model DCC command station and power boosters you are using?

Bob,

Key need to know about turnouts used to build wye
•   frog insolated or power routed
•   routes all-live or power-routing
(i.e. how is the turnout constructed and wired)

That is part of what dictates where the track gaps and power feeds are placed for the wye.

Wiring a Wye for DCC depends on the brand and type of turnouts (manufacturer and part #) used to build the Wye. The turnout used is as important as where the Wye is used in the track plan so give Jim the information if he has not already requested the information.

John,
Not sure what additional opinions will do for you. No one can give you a guarantee not having tested the overall running condition of your locomotive or knowing if the #5 turnout you use will perform as its design intended.

We are not talking about a lot of money here. Buy a #5 E-Z Track Turnout (or whatever brand you want to use) attach a few straight sections of track, connect power, test and fine tune if necessary. Be sure you have cleaned the track, cleaned the locomotives wheels and properly lubricate the locomotive, which includes placing a very small amount of conductive contact lube on the pick-up wheels' tread and electrical rub points before you start testing.

Have fun! And let us know how things turn out.

Quote from: jsmvmd on May 16, 2007, 02:34:17 PM
Dear Hunt,

Roger that.

Regarding your comment about powered vs. non-powered turnouts, have you read Lionel Strang's book on DCC?  If so, I believe he is a proponent of powered frogs as a way to avoid derailments if the points are set incorrectly. 

I have skimmed through Tony's DCC outline, and cannot figure if he advises for or against powered frogs. I sort of remember a discussion here several months ago.

Any info you can provide will be most appreciated, or a link .

Thank you and best wishes,

Jack

Hi Jack,
I looked over Lionel Strang’s DCC Made Easy: Digital Command Control for Your Model Railroad paperback book when it first came out. So it has been awhile.

I recall he covers short circuit in a turnout and likelihood of derailment when traveling from the frog against the turnout route switch rails line when using powered vs. non-powered frog. Understand this has nothing to do with using DCC. Same derailment will happen if you are using DC. Such a derailment depends on how the turnout is designed and how the switch rails (a.k.a. Points) are moved. As I recall he has Shinohara. However, with so called snap type turnout you are not as likely to have the derailment he writes about.

Try it ---- You can usually successfully run your train both ways thought any E-Z Track turnout regardless of the line of the switch rails. Know when the E-Z Track frog is polarized it does not become power-routing type turnout. All routes are still powered.

I still suggest not powering the frog on any brand turnout unless you have a rolling equipment dictated need. Handle the derailments Lionel writes about, if they occur with the turnout you have, with operator discipline.

While it does not address E-Z Track turnout's wiring method directly, if you want to get into the details of wiring turnouts used with DCC  review http://www.wiringfordcc.com/switches.htm

Quote from: Bojangle on May 16, 2007, 12:58:28 AM
As beginner's we all make that mistake, just be patient with us, we will learn as we progress.   But   I have even heard the guys in hobby shops make the same error, just a habit. (or else they don't know the difference either)
Bo

Bo,
If your comments are intended for me, then know--- Patient is not a word that is applicable. If I did not have patients, I would not be answering questions on this Board.

To All,
My replies are given on a take it or leave basis. Those with an ego issue or are thin-skinned I strongly suggest… do not read any of my posts.

Because of the brevity of most of my replies, I do encourage all to request more information if needed. I also encourage anyone that has additional relevant and factually accurate information to add to any of my replies do so. However, if you don’t know and are just guessing don't waste your time and the ones who will read it.