Dual Layout DCC and DC

[Mark5]

I'm leaning toward keeping all my steamers DC, and running them thusly.

I will wire the layout accordingly (block wiring isn't all that complicated after all).

But I will also make it so that when I'm set in my main era (ca early 1970s) I can switch the whole thing over to DCC.

Thoughts?

[Iain]

You can use relays and wire them so that the block switches are bypassed when you are using DCC.  Then all you need are single throw switches for each block, and you don't have to worry about flipping a switch to 'DCC,' you flip one switch and all blocks go to DCC mode.

Am I making sense?  If you want, I can draw out a schematic of what I have in mind.  It would also let you use those nifty DCC breakers Digitrax makes.

[mmyers]

DC and DCC don't play well together.
We use a "key" made of Anderson Powerpoles to switch from analog to digital on the club's Ntrak layout. The socket consists of six powerpoles in  2 x 3 arrangement. Two on one side are the Dc feed, two on the opposite side are the DCC feed. Center pair connect to the track. The 2 x 2 key will only connect to one source at a time.
http://bantrak.net/files/images/4th.jpg
A DPDT (center off) switch would accomplish the same thing but could be easily bumped to the wrong choice.  The key would be knocked out if bumped causing a loss of power to track but no risk of damage to the power supplies.
You would only need one key or switch. Place it in the main supply to your block switches.

Martin Myers

[Mark5]

I've not quite thought this through but I'm not seeing this as difficult.

[Iain]

DC and DCC don't play well together.
We use a "key" made of Anderson Powerpoles to switch from analog to digital on the club's Ntrak layout. The socket consists of six powerpoles in  2 x 3 arrangement. Two on one side are the Dc feed, two on the opposite side are the DCC feed. Center pair connect to the track. The 2 x 2 key will only connect to one source at a time.
http://bantrak.net/files/images/4th.jpg
A DPDT (center off) switch would accomplish the same thing but could be easily bumped to the wrong choice.  The key would be knocked out if bumped causing a loss of power to track but no risk of damage to the power supplies.
You would only need one key or switch. Place it in the main supply to your block switches.

Martin Myers

If the switch is bumped, you just lose all power to the track.  My idea would allow bypassing of the block switches when in DCC mode as they are unneeded and can even cause problems (forget to turn a block on when going to DCC mode).