I'm just getting started with the change over to DCC. I have a ton of BB Athearns loco's that will need decoders for. Is this going to be a drawn out process to put in decoder in them and what would be the most reasonable sound type decoder for them. These are modern type loco SD, GP, Dash 9 type. These are 15+ year old loco pre-DCC era type. And also can these loco's be used on DC type layout after they have been converted. I need these questions answered be for I go with either new Loco's or converting the ones I have. I would hate to scrap 20+ loco's or have them in the box collecting dust.
4x8 are fun too!!! RussellRail
The most important question is: How well do these engines run on DC? If they stall or hesitate, DCC will only make them worse. On the other hand, if these are good-running engines, then DCC will work just fine.
If you open these engines up, how much empty space is there inside? The big issue with sound decoders isn't the decoder itself, it's the speaker. Before sound came along, it was common practice among locomotive manufacturers to fill the shell with the metal frame to increase weight, and therefore traction and pulling power. A typical rectangular speaker enclosure is about an inch and a half long, half an inch wide and maybe 3/8 deep. On a flat layout, running small trains, you can probably get away with removing some of the weight to make room for the speaker.
I'm not sure if all decoders will run on DC or not. Certainly, some of them do. From experience, if you only plan to run these on your own layout, once you go over to DCC you're not going to want to go back.
Sound decoder choice is in the ear of the beholder. I've got one of the low-cost "LC" Soundtraxx decoders, and I'm very happy with it. I've also got QSI decoders, and one Loksound, which I like a lot more, but they're much more expensive. I've got 2 units with Digitrax sound-only SFX decoders. To use one of these, you need a motor decoder as well. I find that these are too quiet for my taste, but they are programmable so I can use my own sounds, a nice feature for the trolleys which nobody makes sound for.
Since you run consists, you might think about installing sound in only one of the engines in each pair. That will give you the effect you want at substantially lower cost. Later on, you can slowly upgrade the rest of the fleet to sound, either by replacing the decoder or by adding a sound-only unit.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
My concerns is with my locos being able to run on DC too. My old 4 x 8 layout the grand kids use is DC cab controlled and if they move one of these locos to it, its not going to get fried. Do these decoders know the differance and is it going to run on DC too. I know that my new Athreans do but with a old loco converted to DCC will it do the same thing.
RRTrainmanI have a ton of BB Athearns loco's that will need decoders for. Is this going to be a drawn out process to put in decoder in them and what would be the most reasonable sound type decoder for them.
And also can these loco's be used on DC type layout after they have been converted.
RRTrainmanMy concerns is with my locos being able to run on DC too. My old 4 x 8 layout the grand kids use is DC cab controlled and if they move one of these locos to it, its not going to get fried.
The reverse is not true. A DC locomotive sitting on DCC tracks will buzz and hum and eventually fry the motor.
I am going to guess your name is Russell, am I right? First, I would not add sound decoders to every engine. Sometimes there sound just becomes racket and I either turn off the sound or run a none sound DCC engine. Watching a silent train glide by is very soothing.
If you like to up grade some engines with out sound, look at the Digitrax DH123AP decoder. It is all most a solder less install and comes with new Athearn Motor Mounts. My LHS sells them for $20.95 and work at 1.5 amps with a peak of 2.0 amps. Stock headlights will work, but I am going LED with mine.
They will all so work on DC, I use DC power to clean the wheels.
Cuda Ken
I hate Rust
RRTrainman,
As someone stated earlier, if your locos don't run too well on DC they won't run any better on DCC. I don't know about your maintenance routine but here is a very thorough Athearn tune-up that you can follow.
cudaken...If you like to up grade some engines with out sound, look at the Digitrax DH123AP decoder. It is all most a solder less install and comes with new Athearn Motor Mounts. My LHS sells them for $20.95...
I also agree with Ken in maybe not installing sound decoders in all your locos. The decoder he suggested, DH123AT (BTW, this place has them for a dollar less ) is a pretty good choice. There is also a 6-function decoder with the solder-less harness, DH163AT, it costs a few bucks more. If you don't mind soldering then your decoder options are almost limitless and somewhat less pricey.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Not all my unit that are BB Athearns are powered about 1/3 are nonpowered. So Dightraks is the way to go. MRC blew it for me lucky for me, my LHS will trade for these other ones.
Hey Ken when are you going to get some photos of you layout Love to see this new expanction.
Jasper, great link on the Athearn up grades. I have know about the tooth paste trick from my slot car days. Some of the troubles he listed I am having with some of my newer RTR's. SD 40-2 will be getting apart pretty soon.
Is your name Russell, RRTainman? Far as the new section, it is sort of at a stand still. With the down turn in the economy I may be getting rid of my current house so all the bench will go.That is one of the things about moving I am looking forward to! If I get the condo I will lose about 200 sq foot of living spaces and the Hated In Ground Pool and Yard Work! Condo will still hold a 19 X 19 bench and will have no yard work! Plus I will save about $500.00 a month. That is a Steam engine added a month and about 12 more free hours as well so life could be much better.
If I find the time, I will post a few new PIC in weekend photo fun.
By the way, how about some pictures of your bench? Looks a little bigger that a 4 X 8 with the UP engines getting sand, or was that oil?
This is my 4' x 8' layout.
And this is 2.5' x 12' yard.
Got the bridge track set between the two last weekend. So now it one unit instead of two modules now. You can call my Tom my last name is Russell, Ken's your is it not.
I have converted about a dozen Athearn Blue Box locos to DCC. I my opinion the issue is how well they run and how much current they draw running in DC. If they run smooth and quiet ( for an Athearn BB) and they draw less than an amp at stall in DC, I would install a decoder without remotoring. If they draw more than an amp I'd remotor the loco. I use a TCS T1 decoder for BB locos, the T1 is small and has very good motor control features to get a slightly balky engine to run smoothly. I wouldn't spend the money trying to put sound in one unless it was a very dear loco that I'd remotored.
Tom, my name is Cuda, Mon and Dad did not like me! Just kidding it is Ken. Far as your yard, just shows how much track a 2.5 section will hold. I plain on the next bench to have a run through yard with 2 mains going in and out about the same sizes as yours.
Ken
cudaken Tom, my name is Cuda, Mon and Dad did not like me! Just kidding it is Ken. Far as your yard, just shows how much track a 2.5 section will hold. I plain on the next bench to have a run through yard with 2 mains going in and out about the same sizes as yours. Ken
I could of made the classification yard area larger but I want a industry on the other end from my shop and I thought that a refinery would do the trick and it did. Got tons of pict's at my home page well Photobucket. Cuda aint bad Dodge or was it Plymoth (can't spell tonite) pick it can't remember the 60's I was 10