DCC controller help

joshpaul1

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Hi , I’ve just bought a DCC train and I’ve no idea what controller I need , looking for a cheap or second one .
Any recommendations only looking for a basic one forward and backwards .
Any help would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Josh
 
Hi , I’ve just bought a DCC train and I’ve no idea what controller I need , looking for a cheap or second one .
Any recommendations only looking for a basic one forward and backwards .
Any help would be appreciated.
Kind regards
Josh
Many use the LGB set starter controller as a first time one. Though limited in power it will drive most locomotives and when you expand will be able to provide power for your point motors and or lights.

Shown below is the slightly better one, more expensive items for G available from Gaugemaster that are a very good buy with great guarantees.
 
Hi Josh, what loco have you just bought? Apologies if you've already mentioned it in another thread...?

Once we know what you're trying to run, and perhaps some idea of your plans for the future, we can advise on what might suit you best!
If budget is tight, my first thought might be the German manufacturer mXion? They have a UK stockist now, Amazing Little Trains...

I'm assuming, from your mention of just needing "forward and backward", that your DCC loco probably hasn't got sound in it?

Of course, if you've only got the one loco at the moment then you could always just run it on analogue DC for the moment and then move up to DCC when you get a second, third, fourth (etc) locos! ;)

Jon.
 
HI JON , THIS is what I bought and not sure about sound probably not as no mention of it . This is my second train so wouldn’t mind going DCC if I can do it fairly cheaply.
 

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Many use the LGB set starter controller as a first time one. Though limited in power it will drive most locomotives and when you expand will be able to provide power for your point motors and or lights.

Shown below is the slightly better one, more expensive items for G available from Gaugemaster that are a very good buy with great guarantees.
Hi Dunny , I’ve the basic controller for my track just need a remote controller.
 
Ah, yes - I now remember reading your thread the other day about wanting one of these! I have one as well, which I managed to buy with sound and lights already installed, looks and sounds great on small shunting layouts. :)

I'm sure others on here will offer plenty of suggestions, but for my money the mXion gear that I mentioned is worth considering for a modern DCC system on a budget - paired with a wired (cable) Roco Multimaus handset, it would get you going at far lower cost than (say) a Massoth setup. If funds are very limited then you COULD look at an older second-hand system like an LGB MTS 3 (I'd avoid MTS 1 or MTS 2, they are now very long obsolete) - but then you're buying older technology. In the end, it's down to what budget you have and what you want to get out of it...

Jon.

PS: as always, all advice freely given is worth exactly what you paid for it...! My opinions only, and you know what they say about opinions... :D

PPS: Quick tip to greatly improve the look of your new little green loco - have a look at larger driver figures (around 1:19 scale) from the 16mm/ft world, he (or she?) will look a lot better than the tiny LGB seated driver that comes with the loco, who looks rather lost peering over the lip of the way-too-big cab!
 
Ah, yes - I now remember reading your thread the other day about wanting one of these! I have one as well, which I managed to buy with sound and lights already installed, looks and sounds great on small shunting layouts. :)

I'm sure others on here will offer plenty of suggestions, but for my money the mXion gear that I mentioned is worth considering for a modern DCC system on a budget - paired with a wired (cable) Roco Multimaus handset, it would get you going at far lower cost than (say) a Massoth setup. If funds are very limited then you COULD look at an older second-hand system like an LGB MTS 3 (I'd avoid MTS 1 or MTS 2, they are now very long obsolete) - but then you're buying older technology. In the end, it's down to what budget you have and what you want to get out of it...

Jon.

PS: as always, all advice freely given is worth exactly what you paid for it...! My opinions only, and you know what they say about opinions... :D

PPS: Quick tip to greatly improve the look of your new little green loco - have a look at larger driver figures (around 1:19 scale) from the 16mm/ft world, he (or she?) will look a lot better than the tiny LGB seated driver that comes with the loco, who looks rather lost peering over the lip of the way-too-big cab!
Thanks Jon for the great advice , could I get lights and sound fitted ?
 
Thanks Jon for the great advice , could I get lights and sound fitted ?

Well, there are certainly people around who could/would do it for you, but it wouldn't be cheap - maybe a Dietz sound chip, though connecting it would depend on what DCC decoder your loco already has. If you wanted to try it as a DIY job then probably a Massoth S sound module would be the easiest to wire up, but then you're still looking at well over £100. That's why I was so pleased when I found the one I have, with all the work already done.

Jon.

Edit: good advice above from PhilP, posted as I was writing this! See what arrives, test it out (it'll be fine on your basic DC power pack) and then go from there...
 
Tony Green at Lincoln always worth a call, not everything listed on his webb site but apparently search for reference numbers may find what you are looking for.
 
Well, there are certainly people around who could/would do it for you, but it wouldn't be cheap - maybe a Dietz sound chip, though connecting it would depend on what DCC decoder your loco already has. If you wanted to try it as a DIY job then probably a Massoth S sound module would be the easiest to wire up, but then you're still looking at well over £100. That's why I was so pleased when I found the one I have, with all the work already done.

Jon.

Edit: good advice above from PhilP, posted as I was writing this! See what arrives, test it out (it'll be fine on your basic DC power pack) and then go from there...
Hey Jon , have you any videos of your one running?
 
Sorry, no! I don't know if Gizzy on here might have anything, as I have run the little green loco on his "Hardyard" shunting layout at a couple of shows in the past...?

Jon.
Sorry guys, I can't help either....
 
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