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Need a Tech's advice
Need a Tech's advice
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Jacktal
Member since
October 2002
From: City of Québec,Canada
1,258 posts
Need a Tech's advice
Posted by
Jacktal
on Monday, April 26, 2004 9:16 PM
I'm in the process of installing DCC(Digitrax's Chief) on my layout and would like to be able to monitor voltage drops and amperage draws of any single or combinations of locos.This would allow me to know how hard the system is working at any given time but would also let me know whenever any loco is having a problem.Is this feasible with DCC?While it's a piece of cake with DC,I'm told that DCC is a much different ball game.Certainly would like this feature..........
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mls1621
Member since
December 2003
From: St Louis
516 posts
Posted by
mls1621
on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 9:25 AM
Your best bet would be to contact DigiTrax directly. Their tech staff is very good and if it can be done, they'll know how.
Mike St Louis N Scale UP in the 60's Turbines are so cool
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cwclark
Member since
January 2004
From: Crosby, Texas
3,660 posts
Posted by
cwclark
on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 12:57 PM
I think you can wire it in an individual block (block w / two insulated rails at each end of the block but powered by the entire layout to isolate the block from the entire layout )and then the block can have a voltmeter in parrallel and an amp meter in series on the block hotwire...that way you can read the individual engine(s) in that section of track
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Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 1:41 PM
Seems to me, some one said you can't get an accurate reading off of a voltemeter because of the "square" waves of the DCC signal and to get a unit to do it accurately you would need to pay big bucks. This chap still uses a voltmeter but he knows how to interpret the inaccuracy.
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cwclark
Member since
January 2004
From: Crosby, Texas
3,660 posts
Posted by
cwclark
on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 2:07 PM
if it's a square wave then an occiliscope is in order...yes...that's big bucks...i'm not going to dcc..i like the way things were...turning knobs and throwing switches and pushing buttons is my idea of fun...the hobby is getting too layed back with stuff like dcc
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AntonioFP45
Member since
December 2003
From: Good ol' USA
9,633 posts
Posted by
AntonioFP45
on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 2:42 PM
Hello CW Clark,
It's not so much as being laid back, it's just that with DCC it's more of being able to run trains anywhere you want, the extra features that enable you can "hit buttons" and turn on or off: Mars Lights, Ditch LIghts, Gyra lights, Ditch lights, horns, etc,. Simply makes locomotives behave even more like the prototypes.
Jacktal,
Try e-mailing www.litchfieldstation.com and see what Bruce, an electronics engineerng expert, can help you with. He's answered all of my inquiries.
Take care, guys!
[;)][:)]
"
I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
Reply
Anonymous
Member since
April 2003
305,205 posts
Posted by
Anonymous
on Saturday, May 8, 2004 10:40 AM
Tony's train exchange has what they call RRampmeter that will do what you want for less then $100.00
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