Re: How to pick up power for DCC in OMI Cabooses (Sn3)

Posted by Derrell Poole on
URL: http://c-sng-discussion-forum.254.s1.nabble.com/How-to-pick-up-power-for-DCC-in-OMI-Cabooses-Sn3-tp919p939.html

Battery power is an exciting possibility. I was talking with a client the other day who told me DCC was going to be "out" within 5 years and what would replace it would be battery powered radio control. I've installed many Stanton Cab converted decoders and while the thought of onboard power is wonderful there is a little factor called physic. Things have to fit inside the model in order for it to be onboard powered. In order for DCC to be replaced completely by this onboard technology Batteries need to become both small enough and powerful enough to fit inside the smallest models DCC is now applicable to - N Scale and HOn3 - and it needs to accommodate these models without reducing their weight (physics remember? weight equals traction).

Radio onboard power is already engulfing large scales and even making good inroads into the medium scales. But Small scales like HO still has a long way to go. Batteries must have sufficient size in order to have the right impact on the Radio onboard technology and it just may not be possible - because of the physics involved - with the current technology. Will it happen - I'm sure it will, eventually. Will it happen within 5 years.... sorta doubt it. Do I want it to happen? Of course?

Nothing wrong with a battery supplied decoder in this little caboose - except that it already weighs toooooo much!