05-15-2010, 10:08 PM
Hey Bill....Like a lot of other things, DCC is only as complicated as you want it to be. Once the beginner's threshold is passed, you can stop there, or take it as far as your wallet (or better half) will allow. Take the Zephyr, for instance. As far as its operation, it is no more complicated than using a power pack. You take your 2 track wires, connect them to the Z, and you're all set as far as that's concerned. If you have purchased locos with a decoder already installed, you're all set to go. If not, you will need to install decoders in them. Most locos that are now on the market come with a board to install the decoder onto. They have a plug on the board, and your decoder plugs in there. Close up the loco and it's ready. If you're converting older locos to DCC, it gets a little more complicated, but nothing beyond the basic electronics you need to wire a layout.
As far as the Z is concerned, it's a good unit for small to medium sized layouts, where you might only have 2 or 3 locos operating at any one time. You can connect 2 of your existing power packs (DC) to allow for the extra locos. That again involves just connecting 2 wires per pack to the Z. These are the "Jump" ports. So you can use your existing packs without having to shell out for additional throttles. That's what I built those two throttles for, since my older packs are of the MRC type, which are kind of bulky, and I wanted something more "portable". Even though my layout is kind of big (12' x 17' around the walls), I don't foresee that I'll ever NEED anything bigger than the Z.
Hope this helps...
As far as the Z is concerned, it's a good unit for small to medium sized layouts, where you might only have 2 or 3 locos operating at any one time. You can connect 2 of your existing power packs (DC) to allow for the extra locos. That again involves just connecting 2 wires per pack to the Z. These are the "Jump" ports. So you can use your existing packs without having to shell out for additional throttles. That's what I built those two throttles for, since my older packs are of the MRC type, which are kind of bulky, and I wanted something more "portable". Even though my layout is kind of big (12' x 17' around the walls), I don't foresee that I'll ever NEED anything bigger than the Z.
Hope this helps...
Gus (LC&P).