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DCC INSTALLATION - OVER 15 YEARS EXPERIENCE!
Why use Professional Layout Services to install your DCC control system?
We do not insist that we supply the DCC control system. We will install
any DCC control system in working order and in merchantable condition. We
will however provide systems if we are able to do so when requested.
We have over fifteen years experience in the installation of DCC systems. We
have installed systems for clients all over the UK from most global manufacturers over
the years. We ensure the system is installed and tested correctly to offer
many years of trouble free use.
We are happy to offer advice and assistance to layout owners once we have
installed a system. If any problems arise we will always try and help!
The above image shows the full DCC wiring on one layout
board. DCC is sometimes sold as a two wire control system in its simplest
form. Which two wires would you like to keep?
This image shows the location of the accessory decoders (to
the right) in close proximity to the turnouts they are operating. Try and
avoid distances above one metre.
Accessory decoders can be purchased form a variety of
manufacturers. These Lenz decoders operate six turnout motors, others
operate four or just one. The heavier black and white cable is the power
supply to these decoders.
This image shows the underside of a Peco Code 55 N Gauge
finescale scissor crossing. The device at the top of the image is a
Digitrax auto reverse module used to switch polarity on the scissors. Much
easier than a four pole switch in analogue format!
Capabilities
We have no limitations as to the size or scale of the DCC system
installation. We are happy to install DCC systems to small table top train
set style layouts, or very complex model railways. We offer the following
installation services:
Service 1 - DCC Track Control
The standard DCC installation where DCC control of locomotives is
required. We install the control system with the DCC ring main
connected to dropper wires from the track. All cable is to
manufactures standards and all joins conform to standard codes of
practice. If cable of an insufficient capacity is used on DCC layouts
it is possible that some data loss may occur, or the cable may
overload. Remember most DCC systems work on a much higher power rating
than conventional DC controllers. Most DC controllers have a maximum
output of between 1 and 2 amps. Most non basic DCC systems have an
output of between 2 and 5 amps. The cable on a DCC layout must be
capable of this potential load! Where required DCC booster units are installed to provide
addition power supplies and isolation switches to allow easy fault
finding on larger layouts. Auto reverse modules can be installed for
turntables (where required) and to automatically reverse polarity in
return loops. These devices can also be used to switch the polarity of
live frog 'diamond crossings' and 'scissor crossovers' removing the
need for mechanical or relay switching of polarity. We now fit as
standard DCC circuit breakers to protect the master controller from
layout short circuits and when used booster units are also protected
in the same way. On larger layouts we break the layout down into DCC
blocks each protected by a circuit breaker to ease fault finding. In
the event of a problem only the problem block will shut down, the rest
of the layout will continue to work.
Shown above are the DCC Specialties circuit breaker and auto reverse module.
The circuit breaker has many uses as described above for master and block
protection - particularly useful on the Gaugemaster/MRC Prodigy Advance2
which does not have a reset button and needs shutting down once the fault has
been cleared. We also use the circuit breaker to protect handmade track units
e.g. Marcway Scissor Crossings which go to short circuit until the road is set;
and some turntables which go through a short as they rotate.
Service 2 - DCC Accessory Control
Most DCC layouts require not just the locomotives to be controlled
from the DCC master controller, they also prefer to control the
turnouts and other accessories digitally. We install turnout motors
both solenoid (Peco, SEEP, Hornby, Fleischmann, Marklin etc) and slow
action types (Tortoise, Fulgarex and Lemaco etc) together with most
other accessory requirements e.g. signals etc. Signals can be colour
light types or semaphore. When programming DCC decoders avoid doing so when
installed on the layout. Program prior to installation avoiding
moving around or under the board. If you are doing more than
'base' address programming test with grain of wheat bulbs as shown
in the image. The images below show a ZTC304 and a Hornby R8247
accessory decoder being programmed with the outputs of
Channel 1 to be used for
continuous output e.g. for use on colour light signals. This is tested using grain of wheat bulbs to
ensure the programming is correct prior to installation.
Team Digital SMD82 Switch Machine Driver
Probably the best accessory decoder available. This device will
switch eight solenoid and/or slow action stall type machines. It has
16 programmable remote controlled routes, 13 programmable local routes
and five conditional routes. It has an advanced buffer to hold
information and switch macros/route settings using the on board
capacitor. The device uses smart programming for simple basic
addressing and set up. Works on the faster DCC systems including NCE.
The ZTC302 DCC ready turnout motor offers a new concept in
digital control as this traditional solenoid style point motor
includes a built in decoder and accessory switch. It is exceptionally
easy to program using a capture method and offers the bonus of a built
in capacitor discharge system making route setting/macros simple and
much more reliable as the motor has its own charged power source.
These are again highly recommended on layouts where route setting/macros are
to be used. A microswitch provides the facility to change frog
polarity with the need to connect just one wire to the frog as the DCC
power is already supplied to the motor once installed. It should be
noted that the ZTC302 is best fitted direct to Peco turnouts and not
beneath the baseboard as insufficient voltage may be available to
reliably throw the turnout when mounted below.
Service 3 - Layout preparation for DCC installation.
To optimize the performance of certain DCC layouts we can alter Peco
turnouts from electrofrog to livefrog to prevent short circuits as
rolling stock wheels pass through the turnout. This alteration also
vastly improves the performance of the layout as the pressure contact
between the stock rail (fixed outer rails) and the switch rail (moving
rail that travels with the tie bar) is no longer required for
electrical continuity.
Service 4 - Hardware Programming.
We are frequently asked to program accessory decoders. Most
accessory decoders are supplied by the manufacturers to operate
solenoid turnout motors requiring a pulse of a short duration. When
using these decoders for other applications such as motor drive
turnout motors e.g. Tortoise etc. or colour light signals it is
necessary to program the decoder. Some accessory decoders do not
have to have sequential numbering e.g. Team Digital SMD82 and Lenz. Each output can be
configured to its own number and function. We can set your accessory
decoders to your requirements. The image below shows a Gaugemaster/MRC
Prodigy accessory decoder installed on a clients layout. The channel
timers have been set to 3 which equals a pulse time output of 0.3
seconds which is ideal for the Peco PL10w series of solenoid turnout
motors. This accessory decoder automatically sets to pulse output for
solenoid motors when the thin cable wire link is cut (on this decoder
the link is yellow and can be seen over the large IC located in the
centre of the device), however we find a small increase in the timer
output is needed when the motors are located below the baseboard
rather than fitted directly to the turnout.
Service 5 - DCC Layout Improvement Service.
DCC has now established itself as possibly the number one in model
railway control. Over the years that DCC has been available new ideas,
new concepts and new products have been developed. An upgrade may
improve the reliability and stability of your DCC layout, particularly
if your system is now unable to upgrade e.g. ZTC. We may be able to
make more efficient use of the hardware you have purchased. For
example the images below show four auto-reverse modules located at
each end of a large layout. These modules have replaced ZTC-550
booster units and ZTC560 transformers releasing high cost hardware now
better used on power districts.
Service 6 - ZTC Installation Service.
We have worked closely with ZTC Controls until they recently ceased
trading. In fact we
had one of the first pre-production ZTC511 master controllers before
the system was marketed. We have supplied and installed many ZTC
systems around the country and overseas and can offer probably the
most experienced service with ZTC installation available. From small
layouts to complex model railways we have installed ZTC! We are happy
to continue our support for clients with ZTC hoping that the product
range will return in some form.
Some of the more popular Digital Systems in the UK:
