[jgbeerman]

Hey HO DCC users.
After reading some online articles about turnouts on a DCC system it seems that there are two main ways to have automated switches, either on the DCC system itself or attached to a separate DC power supply with switches to turn the tracks.

I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on which way to go. I only have 4 turnouts planned on my layout for this version. Pretty much have to figure this out before I can go further! Thanks

 

[lears2005]

I would just use a separate dc supply it would not be worth the money to use the dcc system for just 4 turnout

 

[tankist]

if you want to operate your turnouts from DCC cab (and later automatically) getting stationary decoder for those might be a good idea. since you only need one (they do make 4 channel decoders) it is not that expensive.

with that, while i do run DCC, my 8 turnouts are operated either manually (the 5 that i can reach) or via separate analog control module i built. perahps in future, i will add decoders

that decision you will have to make on your own i'm afraid, based on our wants and ideas of operation...