[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (dwb @ 4 Dec 2007, 05:41) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Before the advent of RailCom, the only way for base stations to get feedback from a decoder was for the decoder to make the motor "twitch" or in the case of Lenz move a tenth of an inch or so along the track. If the base station is fitted with sensing hardware, it can detect these twitches. Two types of twitch or twitch / no twitch without a set time period allows a decoder to send CV information one bit a time back to the base station. My educated guess is that the sensing hardware in the base station is restricted to the programming track outlet only for reasons of certainty and cost.

With RailCom equipped decoders the need to rely on the programming track to detect "twitches" will go away.

David

*** Actually the acknowledgement is done with simple exchange of digital data - interrogation + response + instruction + acknowledgement. The twitch was simply added as means of showing users that the command had been accepted when there was no display to help them. ie: the twitch itself forms no part of the actual instruction/acceptance...

Sorry DWB, there os no "Twitchometer" in a base station

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (dwb @ 5 Dec 2007, 05:31) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Given that an ESU radio wireless control costs over £120, getting something which is near enough the same with a base station thrown in is a pretty good deal. The manufacturing engineers and accountants must have crawled all over the Bill Of Material for weeks to get the retail price down to what it is. That's why you get the smaller transformer, no programming outlet and no numeric keypad. For a final RRP of around £100, all those pennies saved really start to count. If they got it wrong, then the product will flop and that will be that. There's no sentiment in the market place.

David

***

(1) Dynamis is what it is, which is a nice entry level system in todays terms and it looks to be good value. It is not at the control or programming ability level of an NCE PowerCab which has a far more sophisticated programming and operation ability, and a far more positive upgrade path performance-wise.

(2) We shouldn't confuse an IR remote with radio remote - they are totally different in use - an IR is exactly like a TV remote and totally limited in range and MUST be line of sight - It is also very low cost and is usually only ONE direction, which is why readback can be a problem when using it (Digitrax add IR control via a simple controller plug in-panel, and every DT400 controller is IR ready but few ever use it) .

On the other hand Radio is expensive to do well... and much more versatile. The ESU mobile control has a working range of over 100 metres and will pass through walls and bodies quite happily.

(3) Re PowerCab Power Supply: The NCE provided power supply is very conservatively rated - it is rated low for conservatism which is NCE's usual approach (they like to "over-deliver vs claims) and has been tested to reliably give 1.8 amps with a peak of close to 2 and still maintain good voltage regulation. It is very well protected both in a current and thermal sense so is pretty well indestructable. The real imitation is the handsets ability to deliver current down a fine cable, not the power supplies ability to provide current.

(3) Re Dynamis ability to act as a remote for the ECOS - This is a wish and just a "wish or guess" by forum members but seems to be gaining a reputation as impending fact with NO real grounding in reality. There is no claim by either brand that this will ever happen, and to be honest I think its consumer positive but commercially unwise and actually unlikely.

The Dynamis can of course be connected to the sniffer port of the ECOS as can every other brand. Remember that ESU also make some of the Marklin controllers and these don't directly interface - or if they do, do so with limited functionality.

Regards

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Oakydoke @ 11 Dec 2007, 01:20) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Whilst you are correct about line of sight, I understand that they've attempted to get as wide coverage as possible so that you don't have to point the handset directly at the IR base station.
<Snip>
Absolutely, but the cost is a limiting factor for those on a budget or not prepared to pay upwards of £300 or £400 for the privilege. Wireless, even if it's only IR, is now an option for under £99.
Surely that can only be a good thing?

***There's nothing negative towards Bachmann or Dynamis in my post - I too think its a very good unit with excellent value - I simply wanted to bring an air of reality to the subject as it was largely speculative and comparing appples to watermelons not apples to apples .

To me its only real failing so far is not having the ability to read CV's in its "starter" format - this is something that many novices will greatly miss as they try to programme their locomotives for other than the basics (especially if they want to work with sound equipped locomotives.... I suspect that upgrading to the "Pro" will be a quick step for many if this adds that functionality.

IR is indeed an OK solution... Especially as many will be "one man railways"

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Doug @ 12 Dec 2007, 01:57) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Is there an entry level or mid-range level DCC system with programming on the main that can read CV's of individual locos?

I wouldn't expect this base system to be top-spec. It is in my opinion a well priced entry level system that has a whole lot of cool features. Sure we want the programming track and advanced CV programming, so that is a good reason to get the Pro version. Hopefully I'll get one of these one day. Bachmann believe that forums like ours are not part of their marketing plan so I'll have o buy one myself, bringing my tally of different working DCC systems to 4...

***NCE PowerCab - it has a smaller recall stack BUT apart from that it has all of the functionality of the PowerHouse Pro and even has additions, such as a built in ammeter and a high power ability read / write on the programming track mode for higher current US sound loco's. This reall does still stand out as the most competent start system by a country mile. As a bonus it can also function as a plug in cab for the ful lsystem so a powerCab owner can upgrade with no loss, or visit an owner of a full NCE system and use his own handset - this uses a different lead than the PowerCab but the second lead is already provided in the box!

Richard
DCCconcepts

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (Doug @ 12 Dec 2007, 19:23) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>The NCE PowerCab cannot read the CV values on the main track.

It has the ability to use a programming track for that purpose. (p48 of the NCE PowerCab manual)

***Sorry Doug - my error as I didn't read your question properly. I still rate the PowerCab as the best of the "start" sets feature-wise though.

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

QUOTE (PaulRhB @ 13 Dec 2007, 00:27) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Richard, Where is the selection for the ammeter in the book all I can see is the fast clock setup?
Ta Paul

***Hi Paul
Page 59 in this PDF copy. Please note you can search a PDF file for the terms used by using control+F key to bring up a search window - use the word "current" and you'll find all references to it.