DCC for O-gauge

2897 Views 6 Replies 4 Participants Last post by Makemineadouble, Aug 29, 2018

Art Dent

Discussion Starter · Aug 23, 2018

My third (noob) query regarding O-gauge ...

I think I know the answer to this but there's never a daft question if you don't know!

I have a NCE PowerCab throttle and power supply board which I use with my oo-gauge locos.

This will be OK to use with O-gauge won't it (bbviously not at the same time)!

Assuming I am correct and it will, how many sound-fitted O-gauge locos can the PowerCab system handle? I'm looking at 3 locos 'running' at maximum plus colour-light signals and up to 3 points.

Thanks in advance,

Art

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Richard Johnson

· #2 · Aug 24, 2018

*** Why post in two places?

regards, Richard

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Art Dent

Discussion Starter · #3 · Aug 24, 2018

QUOTE (Richard Johnson @ 24 Aug 2018, 12:16) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>*** Why post in two places?

regards, Richard
Because this post didn't get any replies - so I thought I'd post in the DCC forum as I may get a reply there.

Art

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Rob Pulham

· #4 · Aug 24, 2018

Hi Art,

I am no expert but yes you should be able to use your NCE set up the only caveat being that some O Gauge motors take much more power than the 4mm equivalents - especially Heljan Diesels so you may at some point need a power booster.

Re the second question it will again rely on how much load the motors need.

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Art Dent

Discussion Starter · #5 · Aug 28, 2018 (Edited by Moderator)

Thanks Rob.

I have the NCE PowerCab and a (currently unused) SB5 booster so I'm happy that these should be OK for my proposed O-gauge shunting layout (no more than, say, 6ft x 2ft) and up to 3 small shunting locos.

Am I correct in thinking that the big Heljan diesels have two motors in them?

Art

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Rob Pulham

· #6 · Aug 28, 2018

QUOTE (Art Dent @ 28 Aug 2018, 09:34) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Thanks Rob.

I have the NCE PowerCab and a (currently unused) SB5 booster so I'm happy that these should be OK for my proposed O-gauge shunting layout (no more than, say, 6ft x 2ft) and up to 3 small shunting locos.

Am I correct in thinking that the big Heljan diesels have two motors in them?

Art

Hi Art,

Yes and they are power hungry too. That said a few people have removed one of the motors and you could probably do the same for a shunting plank - or look for one that's already been done.

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Makemineadouble

· #7 · Aug 29, 2018 (Edited by Moderator)

If I can run 7 O gauge loco's off a DCS51 Digitraz Zephur you should be able to manage the something similar on the NCE. All my loco's have sound as well.
Although as Rob says the Heljan loco's do draw a bit more amps. I find the limiting factor are the Decoders, if I run my heaviest loco, a Minevra Victory tank thats been heavily modified with Brass overlays then I can only pull eight wagons and a guards van behind it, anymore and it shuts down. Indicating the load is a bit heavy. If I remove a couple of wagons then it runs well. Thats said all my stock has a lot weighting in them. The vans especially. Radius also comes into play, my layout is a continious run some of them as down to about 4ft so I've had to throw out the three link couplings and install Sprat & Winkle couplings.

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