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DCC Topic Ideas

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  • Analog
    • Control of Locos (address 00)
      • DCC standards allow one Analog (de-coder-less) locomotive to run on a Digital layout. The technological magic behind this trick is (should be) explained elsewhere, but it allows you to keep running one engine from your fleet of Analog engines while using Digitial control.
      • Much discussion can be found about the pros and cons of running an Analog engine under Digital power.
        • The main argument "pro" is that it allows an Analog engine to run under Digital control-- speed settings work, 1 Analog and multiple Digital engines can share the track.
        • The "con" side has a lot more in its favor--
          • Analog engines brought to a halt may BuzzzzzZZ and potentially overheat.
          • I believe someone mentioned a halted Analog engine 'quivering' as it tried to use the Digital signal to go forward and backwards at the same time
          • I believe that some types of motor {help appreciated here!} can be damaged if run under Digital control without a decoder
          • Analog motors do not LIKE Digital power, although some will tolerate it rather well.
      • Precautions-- if you run an Analog engine on Digital power, DO NOT let it sit still for more than a few minutes (if that), lest it overheat and melt the plastic!
    • Conversion
    • Function Settings
    • Zero Stretching
  • Auto Reversing
  • Block Detection
  • Booster
  • Color Coded Wires
  • Command Station
    • Configuration
    • Op Switches
    • Reset
  • Common Rail Wiring see Wiring
  • Computer Interfacing
  • Conventional DC Control
  • CV Bit Manipulation
  • DC Braking Sections
  • DCC
  • Decoders
    • Accessory Decoders (Stationary)
    • Accessory Decoders (Mobile)
    • Locomotive Decoders
    • Sound Decoders
    • Switch Decoders
  • Default Address (address 03)
    • Many decoders and decoder-equipped locomotives (DigiTrax for sure; is this an NMRA standard?) are shipped from the factory with address '03' pre-selected. This allows you to open the box, plop the engine on the track, and run it around the layout by simply selecting address '03' on your throttle.
    • Of course, since -every- decoder comes with address '03' pre-programmed, only one brand-new engine can be on the rails at once! If you want to run more than one, you'll have to program a different address.
    • Of course, of course, if you want to run these multiple engines as a consist, you can leave them programmed with address '03.'
    • This will, of course, of course, of course, still cause problems with the -next- new engine! So, address '03' is best used for that first out-of-the-box thrill ride!
    • Note-- because a decoder has a factory pre-set address, if you totally mess up your decoder's programming, you can select the options to re-set the decoder to 'factory settings' and have a usable decoder again!
  • Detection
  • Direct Mode Programming
  • Directional Lighting
  • Dispatching
  • Grounding
  • Grounds
  • Full-Wave Lighting
  • Half-Wave Lighting
    • Hexadecimal Numbering
  • Infrared (Wireless) Throttles
  • Kick Start
  • LED Lighting and Resistors
  • Loadable Speed Tables
  • Normal Direction of Travel (NDOT)
  • Programing Decoders
    • Broadcast Programming
    • OPS Mode Programming
    • Page Mode Programming
    • Physical Register Programming
  • Power Districts
  • Pulse Width Modulation
  • RJ12 plugs
  • Roster Selection of Locos
  • Routes
  • Route Control
  • Rule 17 Dimming
  • Service Mode Programming
  • Short Circuit Protection
  • Signaling
  • Slot
  • Slot Following
  • Speed Matching of Locos
  • Stationary Decoder
  • Status Code
  • Status Editing
  • Stealing Locos
  • Throttles
    • Wireless Throttles
    • Radio / Infared
    • Computer based (Palm, Laptop, Etc)
  • Vmax Vmid
  • Vstart
  • Wiring
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