Decoder options for Marklins

Have you written Z Scale book yet?

Thank you. If I understand you correctly, then using a Digitrax DS64 and PowerCap, for example, the DS64 would be connected to the PowerCab (track power), and the two-wire Rokuhan lead would connect to the DS64. I've downloaded the manuals but haven't looked at them yet. I'm supposed to be working.

I assume there's some facility on the PowerCab and/or the DS64 to program for the different power requirements of the track feed vs the turnout/accessory needs.

I'm working on a small 2-3 train layout on which I could do all the turnouts (9) with switches, but I thought it would be fun to do them with DCC. A consideration is can I keep track of everything I would need to do on the PowerCab compared to seeing and flicking physical switches.

Yes, you wire the powercab track power to the decoder and from the decoder to the solenoid. On my decoder, it can control 3 turnouts, but I couldn't reliably throw all 3 turnouts at the same time. The decoder didn't have enough juice to throw all 3 turnouts.

From the Powercab, each decoder is giving a address and assign on or off to the position of the turnout. Also, by using macros, you can throw a series of switches with one command. To me, that's one of the biggest advantage of dcc. With one command, I can close the siding turnout, open the two switches on the crossover, or route a train through five or six turnouts in a yard.

Great, thanks. I have a little of everything coming and I'll read up and try it. Scott

Scott,
Sorry, no book. I like to think I can give decent answers to questions, but I'm a relative newbie to DCC myself. As you've seen, there is always someone in the forums with more experience and better answers. I'm guessing we have members here who have spent more hours behind a DCC throttle than commercial pilots behind theirs.

Mark