Transfers, also called decals, are an excellent way to apply extra detail to your models. Whether it be signposts,...
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
-
What are dry rub transfers?Read more -
What is a 'tripcock test indicator'?Read moreA 'tripcock' is a piece of safety equipment on a train comprising an arm that protrudes to make physical contact with...
-
How do I apply static grass?Read moreStatic grass is best applied using a static grass applicator. There are several on the market and they can apply...
-
Can I use OO figures with OO9 trains?Read moreYou can use OO figures with OO9 trains as OO9 is OO narrow-gauge track. It means the track has a width of 9mm rather...
-
Can you join a model railway club if you are not an expert?Read moreMost, if not all, model railway clubs are welcoming of new members that still have a lot to learn, so don't let...
Christmas and New Year
We are dispatching orders every weekday apart from Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.
If you order is time critical, select next day delivery at checkout.
The shop in Sandown is closed from 25th December, reopening on 30th December.
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,...