DCC Impulses Column - 6
Basic versions are represented by units like the OG-CB (MSRP
$30) [5] from DCC Specialties and the similarly priced AR1 from
Digitrax. Units in this group tend to have less sophisticated de-
tection circuitry, resulting in larger sparks (causing more wheel
pitting) than the more advanced units.
Some units in this group have knob-adjustable current settings.
My experience with these has shown that many users have a
hard time adjusting them to their liking. With the possibility
of the knob getting bumped as well, I tend to shy away from
those with knobs.
Most of the basic units were designed before sound decod-
ers became so prevalent, so they tend to not make allowances
for the inrush current to the energy storage schemes preva-
lent with sound decoders. Symptoms of this are that you have
6. EB1 general purpose circuit breaker from NCE. NCE
Corp. photo.
6
MRH-Nov 2014
