Many modellers like to weather various aspects of their layouts in order to create realistic weather or age-related...
Cart 0 Product Products (empty)
No products
Free shipping! Shipping
£ 0.00 Total
Product successfully added to your shopping cart
Quantity
Total
There are 0 items in your cart. There is 1 item in your cart.
Total products (tax incl.)
Total shipping (tax excl.) Free shipping!
Total (tax incl.)
Search Tips
Tips categories
Latest Tips
-
Are there any issues with weathering the rails on my layout ?Read more -
What to do when you snip a point motor pin too short ?Read moreSometimes we all make little modelling mistakes, but what can you do if you have snipped your point motor's pin too...
-
What are point levers?Read morePoint levers, integral components in railway infrastructure, facilitate the safe and efficient movement of trains...
-
What are the benefits of incorporating an electromagnetic decoupler on a layout ?Read moreAn electromagnetic decoupler is a valuable addition to any model railway layout. It provides several benefits that...
-
What is point rodding in model railways?Read morePoint rodding is a system of rods and bars that physically joins the lever of a signal box or ground frame with a set...
What is meant by start voltage?
The term 'Start Voltage' is used in model railways to describe how much voltage is needed to get a locomotive moving from a standing start.
When starting a train using an analogue controller, its start voltage isn't very important as we simply keep turning the throttle until movement is achieved. But when using DCC, we don't control the train, its decoder does, and that makes a difference.
We have all experienced the gratification of a model locomotive starting smoothly and quietly from a station platform, conscientious of its passengers' comfort and the expectation of realism from the layout's operator and viewers. The flip-side of that situation is that stubborn loco (we all have one) that refuses to budge until virtually at full power, at which time it lurches into life like an Alton Tower's rollercoaster!
Although there isn't much we can do to help with your stubborn loco's attitude problem, the decoder in your DCC-operated model does need a rough indication of what kind of locomotive it's dealing with. As such, decoders can be programmed to deliver a specific amount of voltage to the model's motor to get the wheels moving and is known as the start voltage.
Posted in: Power and control
Click here to receive the tips weekly in your mailbox. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Related products
Single Track Controller with Plug in Transformer
Price: £ 65.00Gaugemaster Combi Controller - Plug in TransformerThis unit is sold without a...
Ruby Series 6fn Pro DCC Decoder 8 Pin
Price: £ 37.50Ruby Series 6 functions Pro DCC Decoder 8 Pin The DCC94 is a large 8 pin...
Ruby Series 2fn Small DCC Decoder 8 Pin
Price: £ 27.95Ruby Series 2 functions Small DCC Decoder 8 pin The DCC92 is a 8 pin decoder...
Related posts
-
Can a "DCC ready" train be used on analogue?Yes, you can use a DCC ready train on your analogue layout. DCC ready just means that the train has been factory... - Is it difficult to fit a DCC decoder in to a DCC ready engine?In theory, it should be easy as the whole idea of being DCC Ready is to simplify the process. The first time I did...
- What is 7/0.2 wire?7/02 wire is a wire made of 7 strands of 0.2mm wire. Stranded wire has the advantage of being flexible while solid...
- Is an N Gauge controller compatible with OO Gauge?Yes, an N Gauge controller is compatible with OO gauge trains. You may have to change the power clip to the track...
- Is stranded wire better than solid wire?In my experience, stranded wire is preferable over solid wire. Stranded wire is more flexible than solid core wire,...