analogue loco

[blackjack]

Hi I need help again I am told you can run analogue trains with DCC trains how as you have to assign no.I have a full DCC layout but I have seen some older loco's So was wondering how it works No doubt there is some one out there who has the answer Thank you Larry

[ntpntpntp]

*Some* DCC systems have a facility sometimes called "zero stretching", whereby the DCC signal in the track is "bent" to give it a DC bias to one polarity or the other.  This can then drive the motor in an unchipped loco.

*HOWEVER* it's not good for the motor, and I believe has fallen out of favour.  I personally would never do it. I have NCE systems which haven't supported it for many years.

How you access the facility depends on the DCC system - on some it might be "address 0", on other (eg Bachmann?) I think it's "address 10" .

Bottom line is: even if your system can do it, don't -  it's not worth the risk when you can get a decent decoder for £20.

[mattycoops43]

Also, I have tried it myself and it doesn't work properly. When I tried it, the loco would suddenly change direction, or start without any input.

[ntpntpntp]

Also, I have tried it myself and it doesn't work properly. When I tried it, the loco would suddenly change direction, or start without any input.

Those symptoms are more normally associated with running a chipped loco on DC, rather than running an unchipped loco on DCC.

[mattycoops43]

Also, I have tried it myself and it doesn't work properly. When I tried it, the loco would suddenly change direction, or start without any input.

Those symptoms are more normally associated with running a chipped loco on DC, rather than running an unchipped loco on DCC.

I don't think either work very well tbh.

Matt

[ntpntpntp]

Decent decoders can run on DC very well, it's just the odd rogue that misbehaves.   

Most of my G scale locos are DCC fitted but run on DC on friends lines. I have one NCE decoder which sometimes does as you describe, so that one stays at home!

I've got a small handful of DCC fitted Fleischmann N locos, they run OK even on my old KPC feedback/pwm controllers.

[Malc]

I just bought a second hand Bachman controller of eBay and plug it in when I want to run unchipped locos.