Analog Operation (DC Operation)

I am getting a DH165LO decoder and a SFX004 Soundbug. Will these function on standard DC power? Yes. The DH165 series has "analog mode conversion"; the default setting is for operation in both DC and DCC environments. There are some that do not want this feature, and it can be disabled by setting CV29. The SFX004 also operates in a DC environment, and the analog mode conversion can be turned off via CV29. If so, how? Early on, Digitrax recognized that locomotives are sometimes operated in DC environments, and the conversion feature was built into the firmware. In practice, those ...

In the DZ123 mobile decoder, if CV03 and CV04 (acceleration, deceleration) have been programmed for momentum, will momentum remain active when the decoder is then used in analog mode with pure (not pulsed) DC? Yes.

Digitrax Command Stations can operate one locomotive on your layout that does not have a decoder installed. This loco is called an "analog," "conventional," or "non-DCC equipped" locomotive. To operate an analog locomotive with Digitrax you will use address 00 to send commands to the locomotive.  The magic that makes this happen is called zero stretching. With Zero Stretching, an analog locomotive going forward receives an unusually long positive voltage, followed by a very short negative voltage. The much larger positive voltage ensures the locomotive moves forward. The brief negative pulse causes a low buzzing that will vary with the speed of the locomotive. This method ...

Digitrax decoders allow for operation on both Digital Command Control (DCC) powered and on traditional Direct Current (DC) powered model railroads.  Decoders from other manufacturers may or may not have this featureModern Digitrax Decoders are shipped with analog functions enabled to allow you to have working functions on locos on either type of layout without changing any CV values.  (Series 3 decoders and later) When a Digitrax Series decoder with analog functions enabled moves from a DCC track section to an analog track section, the functions that were active on DCC will remain active on DC.  For these decoders, CV13 is ...

'It is possible to operate one conventional DC locomotive at Address 00.  In many cases, this is the first locomotive that beginners use when they first get their command control system.  In other cases, this locomotive is one which cannot be easily converted to DCC.  Regardless, although it is possible to use your Digitrax system in this way, it is not a recommended approach.1. Place an analog locomotive (one without a decoder) on your layout.  While the analog loco is sitting still, you will hear the characteristic “singing” caused by the DCC track signal when it is applied to analog ...

The term smooth DC is used to describe the power provided to the layout by conventional model railroad power packs (analog transformers). Traditional model railroad power packs convert household line current into 12-18 volt current to power your model railroad. Voltage is supplied to the track, and as the voltage increases, the speed of the locomotive's motor increases, which makes it run down the tracks at faster speeds. Some power packs put out only AC (alternating current), while others put out DC (direct current) and AC (for accessories such as track switches and building lights). AC powered trains tend to ...

  Digitrax AR1 is a DCC Automatic Reversing Controller.  We have become aware of another product of a similar name that may cause our customers some confusion. Circuitron makes an automatic reversing unit called the AR-1 that is used for automatic reversing of analog powered trains. The Digitrax AR1 is not the same device and does not work in the same way.

CV29 is called the configuration register. It controls the following decoder characteristics: 1.  Whether the decoder uses 14 speed steps, 28/128 speed steps or loadable speed tables.  This affects how smoothly the loco will move and how it responds to throttle controls.2.  Whether the decoder automatically converts to analog mode when no DCC signal is present.  This allows the decoder to operate on a DC layout even though it is DCC equipped.3.  Defines the normal direction of travel for the locomotive. Normal Direction of Travel or NDOT can be changed when the motor connections of decoder have not been connected so that the locomotive runs ...

What about using a Digitrax-decoder-equipped locomotive on a layout having only DC power?It is possible, but analog operation of DCC equipped locomotives is becoming a bit of a rarity. In earlier times some locomotives were delivered from the manufacturer with a DCC decoder in place and a jumper plug was used to select the operating environment. Digitrax still offers a jumper plug for use in some configurations; you remove the decoder and replace it with the DHDP or DNDP. With later generations of decoders, it is possible to operate on a DC layout with the decoder in place. To quote ...

Digitrax SoundFX decoders will automatically operate on smooth DC power unless analog mode conversion has been disabled. The sound will not start until approximately 5 volts is applied to the track.  Due to this characteristic of analog operation with a DCC decoder installed, the start up sound will not play.

Can I still operate a non-decoder equipped locomotive on my Transponding layout?Yes! Transponding will not affect operation of an analog loco (one without a decoder) on address 00. The analog loco will not transpond since it is not transponder equipped.

Q: I would like to know about SE8C and signals on non-DCC layouts. A:  The SE8c is a signal driver for your layout. You can operate signals manually with any LocoNet Throttle and Command Station. Or, in your case, the SE8c can drive signals automatically with detection and compatible computer software such as RailRoad & Co. or JMRI.You will need detection devices to identify the presence of trains, a computer interface such as the PR3, a computer program supplying the signaling logic and the SE8c driving the signal heads themselves. Note that in a LocoNet environment, the SE8C supports detection: DS01 ...

Hooking up the UP5's Power Supply (Optional but highly recommended to make sure LocoNet voltage is adequate to control large layouts)The optional power supply (PS14) can be connected to one or more UP and/or UR panels to provide additional power for LocoNet operation and for battery saving power to any Digitrax throttle that is plugged into any of the powered panels.1. Plug the PS14 into the DC jack located on the side of the UP5 circuit board.2. Connect the +Common point on each additional board (located between the two LocoNet jacks) to the powered board with 22AWG wire (Figure 2). ...