Flick of a switch from DCC to. DC ????

Hi All.  It is like this I had this idea of buying Hornby Pugs and either running them on a separate line from a goods shed at the back of a DCC layout (no physical connection between the two systems). Or I could convert all the Pugs to DCC? The cost of converting all seven Hornby and two ex Dapol seemed too much to me.From what I can remember about DC wiring, there was just one " Hook Up Point" and the main was live when the train was running , but the sidings were dead until the points were thrown. Meaning that you could stable a Loco on the siding throw the points and forget about it. Where DCC is completely different . The third idea is to Flick a Switch
and change the power supply, would this work?   All the best. Kevin

Yes, the switch must disconnect one power supply & the output of that control system
to be replaced with the other power supply & control system.
The minimum would be a 4PDT switch    but if you just wanted to switch the control outputs, then a 2PDT would do

Hi Ron. Thank you for your reply. So does that bean that where all parts of the DCC layout are live all the times, that I couldn't isolate an Analogue loco on a DCC layout by changing the points as I could on ac DC layout???All the best. Kevin

Hi Ron.   I have another unrelated question on "multi pin" (555) Sub D plugs and sockets, which had me quessing ?it would seem that  pin 1 fits into 5 and pin 11 fits into 15 and so on? I wanted to build a "Mimic Panel" for manual points , not a problem?? But then I kept getting malfunctions , until I discovered that ( by laborious testing ) the pins on the male plug were the opposite way round to the apertures on the socket. But I couldn't find a straightforward answer when I googled it. Can you please advise me??
All the best. Kevin

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Ron. Thank you for your reply. So does that mean that where all parts of the DCC layout are live all the times, that I couldn't isolate an Analogue loco on a DCC layout by changing the points as I could on a DC layout???All the best. Kevin

Do not leave an analogue loco on a DCC layout even by isolating the track via a switch or the turnout in case the switch or turnout is accidentally turned on .  Keep analogue locos away from DCC layouts…

[user=1801]Passed Driver[/user] wrote:

Hi Ron.   I have another unrelated question on "multi pin" (555) Sub D plugs and sockets, which had me quessing ?it would seem that  pin 1 fits into 5 and pin 11 fits into 15 and so on? I wanted to build a "Mimic Panel" for manual points , not a problem?? But then I kept getting malfunctions , until I discovered that ( by laborious testing ) the pins on the male plug were the opposite way round to the apertures on the socket. But I couldn't find a straightforward answer when I googled it. Can you please advise me??
All the best. Kevin

Kevin, I cannot answer that as I do not have any "multi pin" (555) Sub D plugs and sockets.

Hi Kevin,

DC/DCC switching? I've seen a DC locomotive quietly humming and melting the armature on a mixed layout because of a "forgotten" switch. This was a clinic on the dangers of mixing the 2 systems. Most folks I know keep the 2 separate (HO plus HOn9 for example). I've also seen it done with a preservation line off the main layout.

Go DC on a DCC layout? Go 100% is the safest. IMO more trouble than it's worth though. Safer to put decoders in everything.

Nigel

Hi Ron.  Thank you for your reply. It would seem that my other idea would be best. I K Brunel and his transshipment station, from Broadgauge to Standard or in my case from DCC side of the platform to the separate DC line.All the best. Kevin

Hi Ron.  Thank you anyhow, it was worth a try. Kevin

Hi Nigel.   Thank you for your reply. That is probably for the best. But as well as the Pugs I have my A1x Terrier to be done, not forgetting the 1980's Schools Class..  All the best. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

You've got the "shiny" bug. I made a rule a long time ago not to buy a new locomotive (not necessarily new manufacture) until the last one had a decoder installed and was running. That way you don't end up looking at half a dozen DCC conversions and thinking about the cost of the decoders and maybe DC operation….a slippery slope.

Nigel

Hi Nigel.    Thank you. This iPad drives me nuts? I was just about to send you a reply, when thr screen went into " Two halves mode".it is a PITA, and I don't know why it happens? Back to the Locos? It all snowballed . And that is why the alternative plan came to me. So l will limit myself at first, Terrier, ex Dapol Pug , Blue Diesel, see how they go? If all is well I will probably do the othe ex Dapol Pug? And put the rest aside? All the best. Kevin

Hi Nigel.  All the Locos that are awaiting a DCC Decoder (apart from the Hornby Terrier) are very 2nd hand.All the best  Kevin