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 explained elsewhere, but it allows you to keep running one engine from your fleet of Analog engines while using Digital 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 (coreless motors) {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
*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)
*Programming 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 Lighting 
*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