Hello,
I have been looking into DCC systems and think the best system for me based on budget and value for money is the Dynamis system from Bachmann the main things i like about it are ability to program all CVs, 14,28 and 128 speed step control, 2 and 4 digit addressing modes also loco naming and also the unit was devoloped in parternship by ESU it seams to be based on there own wireless dcc controller and the final thing i like is the
I've got a Dynamis for my 009 layout Dunbracken, it's very good although the field of view for the IR can sometimes be limited and my lighting interferes with it a little... That's just down to layout design though, i'll be designing the next layout to ensure that it isn't an issue in the future.
The dynamis is great, but you can't run a DC loco which you can with the Digitrax. The main advantage for me is wireless moveability of the controller with the dynamis, but on top of this i'll be buying the Pro Box so i can run some more handsets and possibly some tethered controllers too for a bigger layout.
Decoders wise, i've only got Zimo MX620s and Digitrax DZ125s, and they're both good, the Digitrax ones are cheaper, but the Zimo ones have marginally better slow speed control (especially on the higher speed notch settings). I think Zimo chips are now pushing
Hello Tom,
Thank you for your views on both systems plus the 2 decoders, I have bookmarked those two sites also
Regards,
Lee
Quote from: lsallen on March 18, 2009, 00:41
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Could someone also advise me to CV values for realistic 15mph maxium scale speed running.
Many Thanks in advance,
Lee
For an analoge (12 DC) loco the speed of the loco depends on the rotational speed of the motor and the gear ratio used to transmit that rotation to the wheels. Also different types of motor spin at different speeds for a given current / voltage. This is why different chassis will run at different speeds for the same controller setting.
Not being a DCC expert I may be wrong on this, but I have a feeling that the CV value for speed is equivalent to the position of the speed cotroller knob, so whilst a CV setting of
X for loco
A will give a max speed of 15 mph it may well not do so with loco
B if it used a different chassis. They may not produce the same speed even if the chassis are the same due to levels of accumilated fluff, differences of wear in the gears or variations in the manufacrure of the motors.
Once you have worked it out for one loco, the CV for the others may well be about the same, but to do the first one you may need to time the loco over a length of track...
1 mile = 5280 feet = 21120 mm (in 009) = 69 feet 3 1/2 inches
Scale 15 mph = 1039 feet per hour,
OR 17 feet 4 inches per minute
OR 3.5 inches per second.
That works out to be 11.36 seconds to cover a 1 meter length of track, or 10.39 over 3 feet (or 5.2 for 18 inches).
Your best bet would be to use a 3 foot length or strait track and have 9 inches (or so) to get up to speed then your timed 18 inches (5 seconds should be close enough) then some stopping distance before hitting the buffers!
Hi Julien, thank you for your reply has given me much insight into speed control i will just have to experiment and your method of testing sounds fun hehe kind of trial and error, plus its a good way to learn so im told hehe.
Regards,
Lee
I have now gone further with DCC and moved to automatic running. You may find this link interesting
http://www.009.cd2.com/DCC.htm (http://www.009.cd2.com/DCC.htm)
regards
John
Hello
I went ahead and brought the Bachmann Dynamis system and a Bachmann 3 function 1 Amp decoder on thursday and it arrived today and did a quick test of the system and i must say i am impressed of its ease of use. As for the decoder i must say i am a little scared to fit it myself it has a 8 pin socket on it so may just buy a socket and solder the socket to the loco saves damage to the decoder.
Thank you for your reply your website certainly has a very informative page on computerised DCC, i have been looking into that myself and have fount a free set of Java programs called JMRI which with the help of a usb DCC interface costing about
Lee, you should be ok to cut off the plug and just hard wire it onto the chassis, i've never experienced any problems doing this. It's probably easier than fitting a socket to a loco which doesn't already have one, and will take up less space too.
Tom, would the decoder be ok with the heat of a antex 15watt soldering iron the think im most worried about would be that the wires are only about 1mm diameter last thing i wanna risk is a burnt out decoder as my soldering is ok but not great, would you advise getting a antex fine tip for the soldering iron?
Thanks in advance, Lee
I see that Bachmann have finally released the pro box, offering more than one handheld now and also better IR range...
also for DCC people, I note that the Gaugemaster/mrc prodigy (which I have) is now available with an optional PC interface - software free download from gaugemaster website, but you need a cable...for which they charge silly prices (as usual with this kind of accessory)
Quote from: Lee on March 23, 2009, 19:33
Tom, would the decoder be ok with the heat of a antex 15watt soldering iron the think im most worried about would be that the wires are only about 1mm diameter last thing i wanna risk is a burnt out decoder as my soldering is ok but not great, would you advise getting a antex fine tip for the soldering iron?
Thanks in advance, Lee
Hi Lee,
Not been on the forum for a while, i guess you've done it now? I use an Antex 15W iron myself with a reasonable sized point on. Shouldn't be a problem.
if you use decoders with a removable harness then you can solder away to your heart's content without any problems.