LGB new to this DCC help?

[pugwash]

It's Orange and white based on LGB's wiring colour coding, The wire for points was Orange and White and the point switches were Orange. This was to help ensure people didn't cross connect things they shouldn't.

I worked that out reasonably quickly, I'm good at colours but electrically and electronically inept.



This is after I tidied up the wiring ,that circuit board on the right was the automatic shuttle for the branchline. It was the original LGB item hidden in one of their buffer sections. Electronics outdoors? Er, no.
N.B. the LGB transformers were pretty quickly replaced by Gaugemaster 5 amp items with the cooling fan.

 

[craigwrdouglas2]

I worked that out reasonably quickly, I'm good at colours but electrically and electronically inept.

View attachment 346154

This is after I tidied up the wiring ,that circuit board on the right was the automatic shuttle for the branchline. It was the original LGB item hidden in one of their buffer sections. Electronics outdoors? Er, no.
N.B. the LGB transformers were pretty quickly replaced by Gaugemaster 5 amp items with the cooling fan.

I was sure you would would know, it was more for others that may not have known the wider picture of LGB switches and wiring components.

It's great to see you controller setup, these things are often overlooked.

The lantern in particular looks fantastic.

 

[pugwash]

The lantern in particular looks fantastic.

It still does, it is on top of my toy rolling stock cupboard behind me.

 

[walkerart]

I was sure you would would know, it was more for others that may not have known the wider picture of LGB switches and wiring components.

It's great to see you controller setup, these things are often overlooked.

The lantern in particular looks fantastic.

Its a fab lantern. Also what a great opperation shed.
I'm putting mine in a mini green house to keep it dry.

So this orange and white marking is where I wire to a decoder so I can switch it remotley?
As far as I have heard a massoth decoder will do five points.

Is this point motor ok out in the weather or do I need to build a little shed over it?


Oh and Pugwash your wiring looks fab.... Im so rubbish at understanding it. But I will get there.

Im thinking of running two wires under the track with the odd connection as I read that wire moves the power faster than the track head.
I think this is called a "bus" in model world?

great heat today Im in the garden putting up my bents / trestles. As much as I have planned the layout on Railmodler express, I feel its now time to put up the trestles and Im guessing I can cut some track to fit.

Thanks
Chris

 

[walkerart]

I worked that out reasonably quickly, I'm good at colours but electrically and electronically inept.

View attachment 346154

This is after I tidied up the wiring ,that circuit board on the right was the automatic shuttle for the branchline. It was the original LGB item hidden in one of their buffer sections. Electronics outdoors? Er, no.
N.B. the LGB transformers were pretty quickly replaced by Gaugemaster 5 amp items with the cooling fan.

It looks amazing. Ive gone DCC will this save me from complex electronics...... ?
To my knowledge, I just have to have good power to the track and the decoder will sort it out?

My track will be 6 meters by 2.5 meters. So not huge but outside and two turnouts.

 

[walkerart]

Hi Chris and welcome to the funny farm, or forum as we like to call it.
I expect the digital whizzes will help you out but for that connecter plug I had one between a loco & tender which broke off just as yours has. The part is readily available and the fitting is easy, the connecter has teeth which go through the insulation of the wire and make contact with the core - no soldering! I think the wires snap off where they enter the plug due to being constantly flexed, they certainly were on my Nicki & Frank S.

We managed to fix the plug it actually was easy and lesson learnt.

Decoder is in and working good.

I kept blowing bulbs in my carrages.... but it turned out my model chap had mixed them up when he attended shows.... so now I have the 18 v bulbs we are all good.

Im learning as i go but so far DCC in bulbs sorted controller .... getting there.
Next is new track head and given the weather its so so time.

x Chris

 

[walkerart]

Oh and rail modeller express is good but you can only place 50 items before you need to pay.
Any other ideas?

I think I have over thought the planning as while ive started putting up trestles its started to move ...... so I suppose its a good guide but don't get uptight about it.
When these real tracks were cut they had to adapt to the landscape. x

 

[pugwash]

It looks amazing. Ive gone DCC will this save me from complex electronics...... ?

No, it was the LGB EPL system which was basically electrics with magnets and reed switches in the track to create electrical impulses. The wiring for it all looked like a nasty accident in an Italian restaurant - spaghetti everywhere.
For DCC a decent control system with a decent power output (I replaced my transformers with 5A units and was glad of it) decent decoders and decent contact between those should cover it. Outdoors I can't say but my indoor HO layout works and even though very small I have a lot of power/signal to track sections, maybe belt and braces but easier to fit first time than having to tear up the layout later.

To my knowledge, I just have to have good power to the track and the decoder will sort it out?

A decoder on its own will not sort anything out, it has to be told what to do therefore the decent control system. By the same dint a loco or anything requiring electric power will not work if the power is not getting to it therefore enough power and a good feed are crucial.
Keep going, these are good questions.