1. on Large Modular Layouts
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

2. CLP2_1024_0580.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 2

3. Analog_0605.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 3

4. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Special Environment:
Layout is not permanent
Less compact as permanent layouts
Layout is different each time
Set-up has to work almost instantly
This results in an "oversized" system
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

5. Systems not compatible with NMRA DCC:
Märklin Motorola:
80/256 Addresses and 14 speed steps, No throttle bus
Selectrix:
112 addresses and 31 speed steps Smooth operation with BEMF Throttle bus not designed for extended length.
FMZ and Zimo:
proprietary format without a real future.
Today these manufacturers offer NMRA DCC
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

6. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Our Needs
Both short and long addresses at the same time
14, 28 and 128 speed steps at the same time
Cab bus length minimum 1000 foot
Our Wishes
No throttle IDs
Dumb throttles for Train crews
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

7. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Our Needs
Both short and long addresses at the same time
14, 28 and 128 speed steps at the same time
Cab bus length minimum 1000 foot
Our Wishes
No throttle IDs
The protocol of the throttle bus shall be available
The throttle bus shall be easy to interface to
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

8. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
DCC manufacturers
Lenz (in 1997):
No long addresses, No 128 speed steps,
bus limited to 330 foot in linear topology only
Zimo:
All we wanted and more but too expensive due to extra features not needed.
SystemOne / NCE:
also all we needed, but throttle IDs and polled bus.
Digitrax:
All we needed, throttle IDs not mandatory, network style bus, distributor in Germany
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

9. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
DCC System Selected
Throttle Bus:
LocoNet, having both throttle bus and booster control bus in a single cable
Command Station:
Digitrax DCS100 (Chief) or Uhlenbrock Intellibox or DIY command station based on a PC
Throttles:
Our DIY throttle called FRED (FREMOs einfacher Drehregler)
Boosters:
Optoinsulated boosters either DIY or from Lenz
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

10. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Booster Set-up
Distributed boosters using the LocoNet cable running along the whole layout anyway
Boosters close to center of the power district they supply results in lower requirements for the wiring
No power managers as they would spoil the principles above
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

11. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Grounding
Booster A
Booster B
LocoNet
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

12. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Grounding
Booster A
Booster B
Ground Wire
LocoNet
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

13. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Grounding
Booster A
Booster B
optoinsulation
optoinsulation
LocoNet
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

14. Optoinsulation – Drawbacks
Locos with offset pick-up may stall at gap
UP3 / UP5: The track power conn. may not be used The wall wart approach doesn’t help either
Extra supply for throttles needed resulting in
RailSync boosters supplying
RailSync districts
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

15. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
RailSync Loads
RailSync output of the DSC 100 can supply
125 mA line to line or
250 mA line to ground
Equivalent to e.g.
4 boosters + 14 throttles
For higher loads the cable is regarded as too thin
so dividing the layout into RailSync districts
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

16. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
CLP_RailSync_1024.gif
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 15

17. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
RailSync Booster
Current limiting needed (RSCLD)
Easy solution as within the DCS 100
2 resistors of 27 Ohm
Diodes needed to get ground reference again
One booster may drive multiple RSCLDs
The booster in the command station is used
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

18. RSCLD7_1024_0520.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 17

19. RSCLD4_1024_0525.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 18

20. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Wiring
Star type topology with central RSCLD node
This reduces voltage drop along the LocoNet
No use of UP3 / UP5
DIY plug-in boxes:
Placed where the current layout needs them
Easily attached and replaced in case of failure
LocoNet only integrated in stations
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

21. Plug_Box_0455.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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22. Plug_Plate1_0461.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 21

23. Plug-Plate2_0537.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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24. Plug_bi_0452.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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25. Plug-Digitrax_0537.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 24

26. F-Booster_0449.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 25

27. Booster_Lenz_0527.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 26

28. Bickburg_booster_1024_0524.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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29. Booster_S2_0529.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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30. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Polarity
No chance to insure the polarity
So just testing, starting from a central point
Test either with dedicated tester or a loco
Fixed polarity within stations with multiple booster due to common polarity switch.
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

31. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Throttles
A pod for speed control with a direction switch.
Single hand operation with either hand.
As slim as possible.
No address selection on its own.
No battery, requiring a low current design.
Wireless out of reach :-(
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

32. The FRED It proves how easy DCC can be. Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 31

33. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
FRED Success Story
... even with problems at the start
First guess: 30 throttles are enough
Then each loco kept it's FRED
People want to use them at home
330 FREDs with commercial PCBs
+ 560 FRED PCBs
FRED Kits
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

34. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
Long Addresses.
Each loco gets a fixed address
Blocks of 100 addresses per group i.e. decentralized administration.
Each scale full set of addresses
But not each gauge
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

35. Multiple command stations?
"There can be only one" -> NO
Limited DCC bandwidth -> Yes
Switched block approach:
Throttle needs to transfer address
Switching under the running train
It can be done - with care
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

36. Multi_CS_switch_0532.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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37. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
What did DCC to our club?
DCC was introduced faster then expected
Modules allow "per meeting" decision
But each member to be convinced
Larger layouts - errors stay local
Larger stations - no block switches
More train crews - double track mainline
No technical limits to for the operation
Most FREMO groups now with DCC
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

38. DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
with
A Lot of Operating Fun
Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004

39. www.fremo.org dcc-mueller.de/seattle Fun_IMG_0535.jpg Reinhard Müller
DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004
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DCC on Large Modular Layouts – Seattle 2004 38