I have been in and out of this hobby for decades , I have learned a lot and I have a lot to learn . I am at the point of still. finishing up the layout room and it's taking a long time due to finances , but I use my lunchtime at work , early morning hours b4 work and relax time to learn this dcc stuff which I have chosen to power my dream . Your videos and teaching are a key part of my study time , thank you for helping
Thank you, I am looking to upgrade my 15 year old NCE system. It has served me well with the wireless pro cab and a 5 amp booster. I like the idea of wifi with the TCS throttles and backward compatibility with my NCE cabs is a bonus. A very helpful and timely video. Subscribed.
Thank you for showing us what is available in the marketplace. Competition is good. I'm impressed that it can communicate (with some extra hardware re: Loconet) with NCE/Lenz and Loconet.
I want to thank you for your attention to the problem of low volume on a Digitrax decoder. In this regard, I have tried to consult Digitrax on the subject, but it has been impossible to access their system because it does not recognize the keys and generates a circular loop when you want to reset the key and returns it over and over again to the beginning
Hogh capacity, low self discharge NiMH cells are best for the UWTs, and they do last forever! I did 3 op sessions at an ops event, ran trains on thr club's modular layout, and then used the UWT-100 some more at home before it finally died!
You should use the hotkeys. Its so fast to button mash through the menus and after a while you learn hotkey combos to do stuff like reconnect Wi-Fi is 612, release is 21, etc.
@Larry, what type of power do you recommend for a 16' x 8' x 8' and I'll probably at the max will be running two DCC units (HO) seperately. I'm planning on to having my layout be a small industrial park layout. I'll be using hand thrown switches. I'll have no search lights or lit crossings. I may have one light up near the scale house and near the switches at the siding and the two house tracks. I'm not planning on lighting up any buildings or run any night time operations. Eventually I plan on having all locomomotives be equiipped with DCC and sound and the same for my caboose and a shoving platform. Thanks for showing us how to do these things that some of us are not familiar with what you are covering.
Hi Larry, All these DCC systems are way outdated since the coming of Bluetooth tech. BLE is the future and the only thing we need is the replacement of the 'smartphone' with real hand held throttles. One already is made in Germany. A major difference is also the price tag compared with BLE tech. Example: A Hornby HM7000 sound decoder TXS cost around 60£ and of you go - easily. No CV settings to care about, no hassle. High end sound by Soundtraxx is the US - more expensive - alternative. Plus you can combine both systems. Nothing is lost. I suspect you will have a look at the new TXS sound on your other channel ? Success. Cheers,
Whoa! what Great Video Larry when you said it works with the NCE'S equipment that raised the Hairs of Goodness that means the PowerCab can be or could be put in the pasture or used as for small testing instances, with this system you could program track the Engines! Set them up them Run em' in one shebang Brilliant & use your PowerCab Throttle as Procab & the one Throttle that TCS makes i believe it has the podimeter built into you turn the knob a Quarter turn this in Yard mode the Engine moves at yard pace you zero out it Rolls to a stop in forward or Reverse that's damn Awesome Larry 😮 its a Bowl a Ice-cream a slice a pie & cake all in one who wouldn't want this system and weather you have a huge layout or small shelf you could have tons of fun with the system but hopefully its affordable not everyone has deep pockets & I haven't looked to see if a Throttle is included but there's always a Butt for me a big one 😂 I laugh at myself, moving on if you can buy the system and Run it with your NCE'S throttles it would give a person some time to buy a Wireless TCS throttle which I'd probably do.. And here's what I wanted to Ask you larry since you've worked with some many different DCC setups would this system possible work with NCE'S Circuit Breakers there newest Breakers Larry you can adjust the Breakers but I still wonder if they'd work with this system or if a person would have to go with one of Tony's Train Exchange Circuit Breakers.. I'd seriously think of getting of one of these systems as the one controller works close to that of a Proto Throttle & those Throttles are near $600.00 but TCS's has full display to work with & wireless I'm liking what see allot. With my Free computer I just got from my cousin I'm gonna kick some serious fun with my Layout.. And I always enjoy your Videos everyone that I can watch.. Allen D
Allen-it should work fine with NCE circuit breakers and you can also customize the CS-105 trip current settings, which I did not have time to cover in the video. I had it running with the DCC Concepts intelligent breaker with no problems.
The UWTs are nothing like a ProtoThrottle. ProtoThrottle is amazing, transformative, and I love it but it's not for everyone and requires locos programmed for it. The UWTs are general throttles for everyone and are by far the best in class. I use PT at home and have UWTs for modular layouts and bringing to op sessions.
Interesting but very expensive (for me anyway). The new Blunami and Hornby decoders appear to be the future though, especially for someone just starting out in the hobby. No command station required, just a source of power to the tracks and your cell phone. For the price of a not very expensive sound decoder and a power supply you are set to go.
Starting from scratch I would be torn between the TCS systems and Blunami. Blunami offers simplicity to a certain degree but you will still need to control accessories. I would still like to see a hybrid system that offers real throttles for Blunami control and also for accessories. Right now we are in a transitional stage just like DCC was in 1994 a d it will take a few years for Blunami type systems to evolve onto a more mature state. For example I would like to see Bluetooth controlled accessory decoders and as I said real throttles, etc. before committing to that technology. Also some other wireless technology may pop up that is much better than Bluetooth. The TCS system at least is a more stable technology with a proven past and a more well defined future.
That is a nice system. Can you mix TCS, Lens and NCE throttles at the same time? I've had a Lens LH90 for years that I only used at the club. Best engineer throttle ever. I have NCE power cab at home.
One limitation is you can only use one system on the aux network, so either Lenz or NCE. However you can mix throttles on the aux network with those on wifI or the LCC network.
@@TheDCCGuy A second CS-105 can be set up on the same LCC, with one functioning as an accessory command station, one as the track command station, and with separate RS-485 bus settings. More recently, the LCC Wi-Fi adapter has come out which has an RS-485 interface on it, and allows for a second RS-485 network, so one could be XPressNet, and one could be NCE cab bus. It's not very practical, but it's theoretically possible. Neither of these options are practical for one throttle, or even a couple of throttles, but it is technically possible.
Another problem: I have an SDH166D decoder installed on a steam locomotive. It works fine but with very low volume. I have increased the value of CV 58, 141 and 142 to test without a significant change. What can be done with the current configuration? Can the speaker be changed for a cubic one and in that case, is the capacitor kept?
Where did you get the sound package? I have one Digitrax decoder installed in a diesel loco that sounds great. But I installed another in a friends loco and like yours I never could get the sound level high enough. It was one of John McMasters’ sound projects and I tried a couple others of his with the same result. He has tons of sound files at his AnPRR forum on Groups.io so you may want to check those and also ask about your file if it is ones of his.
Larry, I know you are the DCC man, but have you done any work with LCC? Do you ever plan to do any videos on LCC? I was looking at purchasing the CS-105, but found a better deal on the NCE Smart Booster. TCS has shown using a Smart Booster with the CS-105 and their booster also.
You can use other types of boosters with the CS-105, however you lose Railcom use in that or those blocks powered by the booster. Although LCC has ben around for a number of years now it has mainly existed as vaporware. The TCS systems are to my knowledge, the first DCC systems to actively use/support it. RRCirKits has offered a number of ancillary LCC products and a few people have built their own stuff but up until now it has had limited use. Personally I see it as something that only folks who are chasing after technology and are more into the electronics side of the hobby have adopted. Maybe that will change now that TCS has made the dive. Every time I have asked other manufacturers about LCC products they say they are waiting for their customers to ask for specific LCC products, and the customers say they are waiting for the manufacturers to come up with new LCC products and show them what it can be used for-catch 22.
You dont need a booster common if all boosters are opto-isolated but they recommend one. Most Digitrax boosters are not opto-isolated so they require the common. Most North American systems use booster commons, most European systems do not ans uae opto isolated boosters instead. Some opto-isolated boosters lile TCS and NCE have optional booster commons.
I have an MRC Prodigy Advance with two controls (Advance and Advance 2). I need to control digital turnout switch machines, which that controller doesn't allow me. What brand and type of controller can you advise me to be compatible with. The ideal would be one that does not need power from the electrical network because in Chile we use 220 volts at 50 cycles.
Since most of this stuff is now powered by DC and DC power supplies typically can use either 110/220 at 56/60 cycles it really should not be an issue just a matter of having the correct plug.
According to the manual I have that system can control accessory decoders. So are you looking for another way to control them? Take a look at the videos I did on using the DCC Concepts ESP system that I used to control the accessory decoders/switch machines in my hidden staging yard, videos 236-237. It can be used as a stand alone accessory control system.
I like the look of the TCS system but those "special bundles" do not save you any money, they cost the same as if you bought they throttle and system separately. The uwt-100 costs $299, and the cs 105 is 529. The "bundle" they sell with them is $730, so no savings.
@@TheDCCGuy your right, I'm not sure what I was thinking but apparently my math ain't mathing today. Have you been using your TCS system consistently for a while now? If so what do you think about it, it's compatibility, and it's programming and functionality?
Alright Larry you have totally confused now; I know what DCC (digital command code) is; but what is all these other things that you mentioned like LCC. I am afraid that I am behind on most of the terms that you called out in the video maybe sometime you could do a video explaining most of them for dumies like me.
Terms I used include LCC, and I described what it does, Railcom which allows bidirectional communication with decoders, wifi and I hope you know what that is.
I think youre a little overly optimistic about other manufacturers actually matching what TCS is doing, even though they are now clearly the system to beat in the North Ameircan market. Digitrax has had problems executing, while NCE has been shipping basically the same system for 28 years.
I have been in and out of this hobby for decades , I have learned a lot and I have a lot to learn . I am at the point of still. finishing up the layout room and it's taking a long time due to finances , but I use my lunchtime at work , early morning hours b4 work and relax time to learn this dcc stuff which I have chosen to power my dream . Your videos and teaching are a key part of my study time , thank you for helping
Great to see the expansion to support other manufacturers. Very clever. Thank you for the great information Larry.
Thanks Larry great Video, mind it all seems to be getting quite complicated now, but the versatility it gives the Operator is huge. Keep safe.
Perfect timing. Mine arrived in the mail yesterday. Excited to dig in.
Thank you, I am looking to upgrade my 15 year old NCE system. It has served me well with the wireless pro cab and a 5 amp booster. I like the idea of wifi with the TCS throttles and backward compatibility with my NCE cabs is a bonus.
A very helpful and timely video. Subscribed.
Very helpful. Thank you.
I have a NCE system, but the TCS system looks like a tempting improvement.
Will be buying the new TCS LT-50 system to try out.
Def getting one of these at some point.
Looks like a really nice system! I'm too invested in my Digitrax system to change, but if I was starting fresh I'd definitely consider the TCS CS-105!
Thank you for showing us what is available in the marketplace. Competition is good. I'm impressed that it can communicate (with some extra hardware re: Loconet) with NCE/Lenz and Loconet.
I want to thank you for your attention to the problem of low volume on a Digitrax decoder. In this regard, I have tried to consult Digitrax on the subject, but it has been impossible to access their system because it does not recognize the keys and generates a circular loop when you want to reset the key and returns it over and over again to the beginning
Hogh capacity, low self discharge NiMH cells are best for the UWTs, and they do last forever! I did 3 op sessions at an ops event, ran trains on thr club's modular layout, and then used the UWT-100 some more at home before it finally died!
You should use the hotkeys. Its so fast to button mash through the menus and after a while you learn hotkey combos to do stuff like reconnect Wi-Fi is 612, release is 21, etc.
hello larry its is randy and i like yours video is cool thanks friends randy
@Larry, what type of power do you recommend for a 16' x 8' x 8' and I'll probably at the max will be running two DCC units (HO) seperately. I'm planning on to having my layout be a small industrial park layout. I'll be using hand thrown switches. I'll have no search lights or lit crossings. I may have one light up near the scale house and near the switches at the siding and the two house tracks. I'm not planning on lighting up any buildings or run any night time operations. Eventually I plan on having all locomomotives be equiipped with DCC and sound and the same for my caboose and a shoving platform.
Thanks for showing us how to do these things that some of us are not familiar with what you are covering.
Something like the TCS LT-50, NCE PowerCab, and Digitrax Zephyr.
Hi Larry, All these DCC systems are way outdated since the coming of Bluetooth tech. BLE is the future and the only thing we need is the replacement of the 'smartphone' with real hand held throttles. One already is made in Germany. A major difference is also the price tag compared with BLE tech. Example: A Hornby HM7000 sound decoder TXS cost around 60£ and of you go - easily. No CV settings to care about, no hassle. High end sound by Soundtraxx is the US - more expensive - alternative. Plus you can combine both systems. Nothing is lost. I suspect you will have a look at the new TXS sound on your other channel ? Success. Cheers,
Whoa! what Great Video Larry when you said it works with the NCE'S equipment that raised the Hairs of Goodness that means the PowerCab can be or could be put in the pasture or used as for small testing instances, with this system you could program track the Engines! Set them up them Run em' in one shebang Brilliant & use your PowerCab Throttle as Procab & the one Throttle that TCS makes i believe it has the podimeter built into you turn the knob a Quarter turn this in Yard mode the Engine moves at yard pace you zero out it Rolls to a stop in forward or Reverse that's damn Awesome Larry 😮 its a Bowl a Ice-cream a slice a pie & cake all in one who wouldn't want this system and weather you have a huge layout or small shelf you could have tons of fun with the system but hopefully its affordable not everyone has deep pockets & I haven't looked to see if a Throttle is included but there's always a Butt for me a big one 😂 I laugh at myself, moving on if you can buy the system and Run it with your NCE'S throttles it would give a person some time to buy a Wireless TCS throttle which I'd probably do..
And here's what I wanted to Ask you larry since you've worked with some many different DCC setups would this system possible work with NCE'S Circuit Breakers there newest Breakers Larry you can adjust the Breakers but I still wonder if they'd work with this system or if a person would have to go with one of Tony's Train Exchange Circuit Breakers..
I'd seriously think of getting of one of these systems as the one controller works close to that of a Proto Throttle & those Throttles are near $600.00 but TCS's has full display to work with & wireless I'm liking what see allot. With my Free computer I just got from my cousin I'm gonna kick some serious fun with my Layout.. And I always enjoy your Videos everyone that I can watch..
Allen D
Allen-it should work fine with NCE circuit breakers and you can also customize the CS-105 trip current settings, which I did not have time to cover in the video. I had it running with the DCC Concepts intelligent breaker with no problems.
The UWTs are nothing like a ProtoThrottle. ProtoThrottle is amazing, transformative, and I love it but it's not for everyone and requires locos programmed for it. The UWTs are general throttles for everyone and are by far the best in class. I use PT at home and have UWTs for modular layouts and bringing to op sessions.
Interesting but very expensive (for me anyway). The new Blunami and Hornby decoders appear to be the future though, especially for someone just starting out in the hobby. No command station required, just a source of power to the tracks and your cell phone. For the price of a not very expensive sound decoder and a power supply you are set to go.
I've had my CS-105 for several months. It needs to be more Loconet friendly and also needs a USB port and ethernet port.
I stay with Digtrax.
THANK YOU FOR VIDEO
Thanks for the video.
If you were starting out from scratch, would you go with TCS, of something else?
Starting from scratch I would be torn between the TCS systems and Blunami. Blunami offers simplicity to a certain degree but you will still need to control accessories. I would still like to see a hybrid system that offers real throttles for Blunami control and also for accessories. Right now we are in a transitional stage just like DCC was in 1994 a d it will take a few years for Blunami type systems to evolve onto a more mature state. For example I would like to see Bluetooth controlled accessory decoders and as I said real throttles, etc. before committing to that technology. Also some other wireless technology may pop up that is much better than Bluetooth. The TCS system at least is a more stable technology with a proven past and a more well defined future.
That is a nice system. Can you mix TCS, Lens and NCE throttles at the same time? I've had a Lens LH90 for years that I only used at the club. Best engineer throttle ever. I have NCE power cab at home.
One limitation is you can only use one system on the aux network, so either Lenz or NCE. However you can mix throttles on the aux network with those on wifI or the LCC network.
@@TheDCCGuy A second CS-105 can be set up on the same LCC, with one functioning as an accessory command station, one as the track command station, and with separate RS-485 bus settings. More recently, the LCC Wi-Fi adapter has come out which has an RS-485 interface on it, and allows for a second RS-485 network, so one could be XPressNet, and one could be NCE cab bus. It's not very practical, but it's theoretically possible. Neither of these options are practical for one throttle, or even a couple of throttles, but it is technically possible.
Lenz software is not available at this time due with three to six months
Just wanted to 😊know the consist of the locomotive in one direction and other locomotive going in the opposite direction
Another problem: I have an SDH166D decoder installed on a steam locomotive. It works fine but with very low volume. I have increased the value of CV 58, 141 and 142 to test without a significant change. What can be done with the current configuration? Can the speaker be changed for a cubic one and in that case, is the capacitor kept?
Where did you get the sound package? I have one Digitrax decoder installed in a diesel loco that sounds great. But I installed another in a friends loco and like yours I never could get the sound level high enough. It was one of John McMasters’ sound projects and I tried a couple others of his with the same result. He has tons of sound files at his AnPRR forum on Groups.io so you may want to check those and also ask about your file if it is ones of his.
Oh no, if the DCC guy going to become the LCC guy?
Not a chance.
What DCC system would you recommend for a small (2' x 8') HO switching layout? I've been leaning toward NCE.
I suggest you look at the TCS LT-50, NCE PowerCab, Digitrax Zephyr and decide which one best fits your needs and wallet.
Larry, I know you are the DCC man, but have you done any work with LCC? Do you ever plan to do any videos on LCC? I was looking at purchasing the CS-105, but found a better deal on the NCE Smart Booster. TCS has shown using a Smart Booster with the CS-105 and their booster also.
You can use other types of boosters with the CS-105, however you lose Railcom use in that or those blocks powered by the booster. Although LCC has ben around for a number of years now it has mainly existed as vaporware. The TCS systems are to my knowledge, the first DCC systems to actively use/support it. RRCirKits has offered a number of ancillary LCC products and a few people have built their own stuff but up until now it has had limited use. Personally I see it as something that only folks who are chasing after technology and are more into the electronics side of the hobby have adopted. Maybe that will change now that TCS has made the dive. Every time I have asked other manufacturers about LCC products they say they are waiting for their customers to ask for specific LCC products, and the customers say they are waiting for the manufacturers to come up with new LCC products and show them what it can be used for-catch 22.
You dont need a booster common if all boosters are opto-isolated but they recommend one. Most Digitrax boosters are not opto-isolated so they require the common. Most North American systems use booster commons, most European systems do not ans uae opto isolated boosters instead. Some opto-isolated boosters lile TCS and NCE have optional booster commons.
What r ur thoughts on the tcs dcc system???? Is it less money with this then for say other system???? And is it just as good????
I have an MRC Prodigy Advance with two controls (Advance and Advance 2). I need to control digital turnout switch machines, which that controller doesn't allow me. What brand and type of controller can you advise me to be compatible with. The ideal would be one that does not need power from the electrical network because in Chile we use 220 volts at 50 cycles.
Since most of this stuff is now powered by DC and DC power supplies typically can use either 110/220 at 56/60 cycles it really should not be an issue just a matter of having the correct plug.
@@TheDCCGuy My question is which accessory controller can be compatible with the MRC Prodigy Advance station
According to the manual I have that system can control accessory decoders. So are you looking for another way to control them? Take a look at the videos I did on using the DCC Concepts ESP system that I used to control the accessory decoders/switch machines in my hidden staging yard, videos 236-237. It can be used as a stand alone accessory control system.
I like the look of the TCS system but those "special bundles" do not save you any money, they cost the same as if you bought they throttle and system separately. The uwt-100 costs $299, and the cs 105 is 529. The "bundle" they sell with them is $730, so no savings.
Based on your numbers the individual total would be $299+529=$828 compared to the $730 for the bundle saves you $98!
@@TheDCCGuy your right, I'm not sure what I was thinking but apparently my math ain't mathing today. Have you been using your TCS system consistently for a while now? If so what do you think about it, it's compatibility, and it's programming and functionality?
I had to send it back as it was just a loan for the review.
Alright Larry you have totally confused now; I know what DCC (digital command code) is; but what is all these other things that you mentioned like LCC. I am afraid that I am behind on most of the terms that you called out in the video maybe sometime you could do a video explaining most of them for dumies like me.
Terms I used include LCC, and I described what it does, Railcom which allows bidirectional communication with decoders, wifi and I hope you know what that is.
I think youre a little overly optimistic about other manufacturers actually matching what TCS is doing, even though they are now clearly the system to beat in the North Ameircan market. Digitrax has had problems executing, while NCE has been shipping basically the same system for 28 years.
Totally lost
I play with trains. I’ll probably sign up for electrical engineering and computer engineering in my next life, but thanks for the heads up on this.