Hi!
I've been posting a lot about rebuilding my HO 11x15 layout and converting to DCC. As an update on the rebuild, the scale drawings are set, with the possible exception of some industry siding placements. As that will be the "last track laid", it is not expected to present a problem. My next step is the demo of the existing layout, followed by room painting, etc.
I am getting more and more educated on DCC, and as I mentioned elsewhere I will be going with the Digitrax Super Chief starter set, with 4 districts. And while I realize I have learned a lot about DCC, along with that added knowledge I realize there is so very much more I don't know.
A couple of basic questions.........
- The 5 BLI Paragon locos I have run "as is" on my current DC layout, and having decoders, they should be an easy programming job to get them to run on a DCC layout. My question is, are all DCC locos able to run on DC power too? If not, what would happen if you put one under DC power?
- I have 6 Stewart F unit ABBA consists, with all units powered. Three of the sets are F3/F7 and are Kato motored, and the other three sets are FTs, and Stewart powered. I'm thinking of getting one of the Stewart power/sound (Loksound) chassis for each of the 6 consists, which will give each one sound unit. Will I be happy with only one (of the 4 ABBA) making sound???
- What decoder is recommended for the "soundless" units? I suspect there will be a different type needed for the Stewart FTs as compared to the Stewart/Kato Fs. Is that true?
Thank you!
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Yup, love those D13SRJ's. Empire Northern is where I get mine, a 10 pack comes to $11.99 per decoder, and unlike the ultra-cheap low end decoders from bachmann (really a Lenz), the D13SRJ is actually a high quality decoder. And that J in the name indicates they have a 9-pin plug and socket - they come with a plain wire harness for hardwiring in, but you can unplug the decoder after it's installed. I've put them in just about anything - but I'm not afraid of soldering wires.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks to both of you!
Regarding sound, I do like running the Stewarts in ABBA configuration and frankly have never separated them. I sort of figured having only one of the 4 units with sound might be inadequate as you indicated. So, how many of the 4 units would you recommend to have sound?
Thanks,
Regarding the NCE D13SRJ decoders........ From what you wrote, it sounds like this decoder is good for "any" HO loco. I was under the impression that decoders were fairly specific as to what loco they should be used for........
In HO, not so much - because generally there is plenty of room for the decoder. Sure, each vendor makes some specific decoders, like the Atlas board repalcement type where you pull the stock circuit board out of the Atlas loco and snap the deocder on the board supports and attach the wires in the same general location they were on the stock board - that's usually an easier way to go, but given that the majority of modern HO locos have wires connecting the track pickups to the motor, it's also not that big a deal to simply cut the wires and solder the decoder wires. A little extra effort can save a lot of money. For example, going by single unit list prices, the D13SRJ is $5 less than NCE's Atlas board replacement decoder, the DA-SR. For one or two locos, it's probably easier to just use the board replacement decoder, but over a fleet of 10 or 20, it starts adding up.
For N scale it's a bit trickier since there usually isn't much room inside the loco for a decoder. Plus the wires are a lot smaller and you have to work with very short lengths as there isn't much room to tie up excess wire. Board repalcements are probably preferred in N scale when available, where they aren't available often times you need to mill some space in the frame to locate a wired decoder since usually every bit of extra space in the shell is occupied by metal frame to get the wight of the loco up.
Ahhhaaa, I am enlightened!!!
Thank you,