DCC Component Standards

I would like to kick off a discussion on the specific DCC components we will use on our new layout. These components include the following: Command Station, Booster, Power Supplies, Circuit Protection, Wireless Interface, Throttle, PC Interface to LocoNet, Occupancy Detection, Turnout Control, and Signal Control.

Here are my suggestions to kick off the discussion ...

• Command Station: Digitrax DCS100 5amp
• Booster: Digitrax DB150
• Power Supplies: DCC Specialties Magna Force MF615
• Circuit Protection: DCC Specialties PSX Series (1, 2, 3, & 4 sub-districts)
• Wireless Interface: Digitrax UR-92 (duplex radio)
• Throttle: Digitrax DT402D (wireless/duplex radio)
• PC Interface: Digitrax PS-3
• Occupancy Detection: Digitrax BDL168
• Turnout Control: Digitrax DS-64 -OR- Team Digital SRC16
• Signal Control: Digitrax SE8C

Come on guys, let's get a good discussion started with the comments to this post ...

Richard

February Meeting

I thought it might be a good idea if we established some discussion points for this months meeting. If the meeting goes forth as planed on the 11th we should have plenty of time to think about it.

I'll start it off here then let's all put our two cents worth in.

a) Establish a name -- priority low, we can progress with out one.

b) Formal adoption of the "dog-bone" layout concept unless I have misread the feelings of the group.

c) Discussion of possible ways to accommodate the electrical control system we hope to have in a growing modular layout.

d) How high do we want out rail to be from the floor? MMUT is 53". Do we want this, higher or lower?

e) How wide do we want our modules to be? MMUT is 18". Do we want this or 20, 22, or 24 inches?

f) Do we want to adopt the MMUT track positions? MMUT is 6.75" and 8" from the front of the layout. Track spacing is then 1.25".

g) Do we want to lay our track on a spline? If so how high?

That's what I have right now. Please add, subtract, or modify as you see fit.

Also let's verify the meeting: 6:00 PM, Thursday Feb. 11, Denny's at the Pavilions Correct?

Track

I was reading the Salt Lake Route series in the Mar MR today. The discussion about the Kato Unitrak double track super-elevated curves really has my attention. Since a lot of use like modern equipment maybe we should consider that. Double stacks and high cars really look good on super-elevated curves. It is worth discussing.

This is nice

http://www.vimeo.com/groups/32251/videos/8857792

A Response to "Wiring"

Milt,

You have Hit the Nail on the Head with regard to the wiring issues we will face. I believe that we will see similar challenges in track and scenery design as well. Unless the tracks always hit exactly the same location at the end of each module (aka N-Trak) we cannot move modules around. The scenery really also needs to match ... imagine if a mountain continued from one section to another ... what happens when one module is missing?

In order to facilitate true automation, a permanent layout is really expected with components that are always in the same place. If we use a modular design, and expect the individual modules to come and go, as well as move around, we will have a very difficult time designing an automation system that will work from setup to setup. In fact, the whole concept of train detection and signaling requires a constant track plan.

At the next meeting we can review some of the wiring issues and look closely at the wiring designs I have done so far. Then we can discuss the positives & negatives of a modular vs. permanent layout.

Let's hear from everybody on this issue ... it really is one we need to deal with as a group!

Richard

Wiring

I am still struggling with the wiring concept for our proposed layout from a construction standpoint. Since we are likely to be modular for quite some time this has to be quick and easy to set up and tear down. I am shooting for way less time than N-Trak. I think the drawer idea is super, but what bothers me is we are likely not to have the same modules in the layout at all times. It seems this could confuse the system. And we don't want to be running a new set of wires back to the drawer each time we add a module. One solution might be to have each module as a detection zone, but this still requires a set of wires for each module and doesn't tell the computer which module it is. And how long should the wires be? I understand that every section does not have to be a detection zone so we could require certain modules to be in specific places every time we set-up. But this could severely limit flexibility. I wonder if it is possible to add a decoder to each module that could identify it to the computer, or could we use bluetooth to hook it up?

I think all the other problems of construction are fairly easy to solve. This one has me running in circles. We need everyones input on how this can be done. No idea is a bad one, but no ideas is bad. We need true plug and play for this.

Name

See name comments below.

Name

I am not totally convinced we have the right name yet. Can we think about it some more?

Era

I like transition era because of steam. But I prefer the bigger modern diesels for more color, pulling longer trains and modern trains like containers. I think we can easily design this thing to work for all. As Malcom said, most of modern Arizona seems to look like it did in the 50"s anyhow.

I would like to see wide range of era's. 1930's to present if possible. How the layout is detailed can provide many opportunities for a range of towns, cities, and wide open spaces. Many towns in the AZ landscape still have that 1950's to 1980's look.