Recommendation DCC System

[mecgp7]

I do not run DCC, but I do occasionally acquire a decoder equipped loco that I either want to swap out the decoder for analog (setting a decoder equipped loco for analog does not work for me) or simply sell or trade. Because I don't want to sell/trade any decoder equipped loco (or decoder) without testing it, I have an older Digitrax DCS 50 system.to test them. I have had a lot of issues with decoder equipped locos and reached out to Digitrax and they recommended that I upgrade my system.

So, I am looking for an adequate DCC system for the simple purpose of testing locos. Any recommendations and perhaps is there anyone out there that has a more current system they wish to with?

[Scottl]

If you are handy, DCC-EX is cheap to build and works fine.

Off the shelf, can't go wrong with NCE starter system.  Simple and reliable.  Mine is 16 years strong.

[davefoxx]

You’re already familiar with Digitrax, so I’d suggest just buying the current equivalent of what you have.  Will minimize the learning curve, since you’re not fully onboard with DCC.

DFF

[GaryHinshaw]

What kind of issues are you having?  I can't think of any reason why the DCS50 should give you trouble with this simple use case, unless there is an outright component failure.  (It's not surprising that Digitrax would recommend an upgrade.)

[Lackawannae8]

Go with a digitrax zephyr. Pretty easy and turnkey affordable from yankeedabbler

[peteski]

I'm also curious what problems you have with your current system.

Any, even most a basic DCC system should be more than adequate for decoder test.  The only possible issues are with some sound decoders or with decoders with a keep-alive when using programming track. But that problem is present on many higher end system too.

Digitrax recommends newer system because it will make money for them. 

[Sumner]

Another vote for DCC-EX.  You can put a command station together in about 30 minutes for less than $70 with no wiring, soldering or programming.  You can buy a ready-to-run one from one of the distributors for about $150.  It will run...

DC and DCC trains, and even both at the same time with 2 to 4 track outputs.  It is great at programming and has easy to adjust settings for hard to program decoders.  Features now than many high dollar DCC systems don't have.

Sumner

[C855B]

Get a Zephyr. Can't get more plug'n'play than that. DCS50 to Zephyr transition will require nothing more than moving wires.

Another vote for DCC-EX.  You can put a command station together in about 30 minutes

The putting together comes with a learning curve.

[Sumner]

The putting together comes with a learning curve.

Not really anymore....

.... above he does it in less than 4 minutes.  The video is a couple years old so when he gets to the part of using the Arduino IDE to put the software on plug it into your computer and use the auto-installer and be all finished in a couple more minutes.

Looks like a Zepher is about $180.  For less than that a commercial ....

.... plug-n-play DCC-EX command station will do a lot more.

Sumner

[Maletrain]

mecgp7, what sort of problems are you having "testing" decoders with the Digitrax DCS50?  What sort of tests do you do?  Just seeing if it runs, controls lights, horn and bell, maybe other sounds?  Or, are you trying to do some sort of programming (other than changing the address)?

The DCS50 should be able to do all of that.  But, if it has some sort of internal failure, I think Digitrax no longer supports (repairs) it.  On the other hand, NCE still repairs their equipment of similar vintage.

[mecgp7]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback.

The issue I have is that I can set a decoder equipped loco on the programming track and it may or may not respond to commands. I can eventually get the address read and even change it. This takes a lot of tinkering though and usually requires cleaning the loco and all its electrical connections to the decoder then cleaning the programming track. Often I need to use a resistor across the rails to get an address read. Then I can run it on the test track.

The problem is that I go through the process with each loco, but if they sit for a short period of time, the only way to get them going again is to repeat the process. This goes for just about 100% of the locos, 100% of the time. It is the same for Kato and Atlas factory decoders, TCS decoders and pretty much any other decoder that I use. Literally, can run get a loco running one day and it won't run a day or two later unless I follow the process. It acts like I need to program them each time I go to run them.

I also have an issue with the some runaway locos.

Digital showed me how to reset the station to factory settings, but it had no effect. Step 2 was ro replace the system.

[basementcalling]

Thanks for all the replies and feedback.

The issue I have is that I can set a decoder equipped loco on the programming track and it may or may not respond to commands. I can eventually get the address read and even change it. This takes a lot of tinkering though and usually requires cleaning the loco and all its electrical connections to the decoder then cleaning the programming track. Often I need to use a resistor across the rails to get an address read. Then I can run it on the test track.

The problem is that I go through the process with each loco, but if they sit for a short period of time, the only way to get them going again is to repeat the process. This goes for just about 100% of the locos, 100% of the time. It is the same for Kato and Atlas factory decoders, TCS decoders and pretty much any other decoder that I use. Literally, can run get a loco running one day and it won't run a day or two later unless I follow the process. It acts like I need to program them each time I go to run them.

I also have an issue with the some runaway locos.

Digital showed me how to reset the station to factory settings, but it had no effect. Step 2 was ro replace the system.

How are your locos stored between attempts to run them? What's the environment like in the layout room? What are you using to clean your tracks and the engines?

[GaryHinshaw]

Well that sounds frustrating; there's no way a normal setup should act like that.  Before you shell out anything for a new system, do you know anyone with a working system and programming track that you can test a few of these locos on?   It would be reassuring to establish that your command station is the culprit, and not something else.

[peteski]

The problems as described so not sound like they are caused by the command station. Seems more likely bad contacts issue anywhere between the decoder and/or motor, and the programming track terminals in the command station. Especially if cleaning things seems to help. If locos have been sitting for some time it is common for the non-soldered electrical connections to oxidize. Same goes for the motor's commutator. Cleaning all those contact points (including wheels) and running the model at a medium speed for 10 minutes should help. Also make sure that the track itself is also very clean.

[mecgp7]

I do have a time to go to a friend's house who knows.more about DCC and has a current system.

While the electrical contact issue is valid. I am OCD on clean track and getting power to motors. That's how I get the Kato made RS3s and 11s running smooth as silk. Even if it is  electrical, once I do successfully read and change an address it is "locked" in the decoder isn't it? Even if the loco connections oxidized, once corrected the addresses and other CVs should still be there. Often have to reprogram.

One more piece of evidence is that while reading addresses, I will get the usual Digitrax error codes at times, but i often get just a number other than the correct address. Seems random.