Recycling Decoders
Applications for Older DCC Decoders CRAFTSMAN/Jack Varadi, photographs by the author
Automatic Older DCC decoders can be used to control light- ing, add effects, and, if equipped, add sound to structures and scenes. Automation of anima- tion has never been easier.
I recently completed a fore- ground model on my Greenville & Ohio Railroad. The kit from La- ser Modeling 3 has a boiler house and large structure with the ma- chine shop on the first floor and engineering/drafting offices on the second floor. I wanted to show off its detailed interior!
I used different color LEDs for
each area and 1.5 VDC bulbs for exterior lighting. My accessory power source is 12 VDC. To get the proper overall effect, I added potentiometers in series with the LEDs. A TCS 1.5VDC voltage reg- ulator is used for the exterior 1.5 VDC lamps.
Pleased with the finished prod- uct, I started to think of possible alternate ways to enhance the
62 RAILROAD MODEL CRAFTSMAN
scene. Firebox flicker in the boil- er would be a good effect. Adjust- ing structure illumination with computer software
instead of
potentiometers would be easier. Since the machine shop has a sta- tionary steam engine, a chuffing sound would bring more realism. Using the TCS 1.5 VDC regu- lator started my thought process about also using DCC decoders for some of these effects on fu- ture projects, but there were cost concerns. Digital Command Control (DCC) continues to revolutionize model railroading. There have been many significant improve- ments since its introduction in the early 1990s. Some notable changes are four-digit locomo-
tive addressing, 128 speed steps and counter electromotive force (BEMF) for motor control, many special lighting effects, and im- proved sound systems.
Improved technology often re- sults in upgrading our locomo- tive decoders. What was an ac- ceptable technology then lacks features available today. The two primary reasons for changing de- coders are improved motor speed control and more realistic sound. Also, like kits we collect to build in the future, we buy decoders for future DCC conversions that nev- er get done. Because of improving technology, the result is surplus decoders with little or no mone- tary value.
Not wanting to throw away
RECYCLING DECODERS
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