Can a cow and calf set (a&b unit) be run together with separate dcc chips, or must they be run together off one dcc chip in the cow, to control both? R. Staller
You can do it at least 3 ways, your choice:
1. Use 1 decoder, and run wires between cow and calf.
2. Use 2 decoders, both programmed to the same address
3. Use 2 decoders, programmed to different addresses, and MU (consist) them together
With 2 decoders, you can adjust CVs to speed-match the two units. This will result in better operation.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
I am currently working on two SW1500 (HO scale) units which will stay together as a set. The powered unit has a N scale decoder (Digitrax DZ125); the unpowered unit will have a Digitrax sound decoder only. You could do the same thing with a cow/calf set as well.
My prototype KCS had some yard slugs which they paired with an SW1500. I plan to construct a slug on a SW1500 frame or F7 frame and put a speaker only decoder in it. The KCS also had some road slugs made from old F3/7 units and I have some old powered Athearn units which I will pull the guts out and replace them with a sound only decoder, so I can add sound to my road sets. (This is not my idea. It was suggested by Joe Fugate as a way to add sound to a consist without the expense of adding sound decosers to all of your locomotives.)
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
When I run sets of switchers I usually address them the same and on one I add a 1 to CV29. Since they run long hood forward and coupled cab to cab I set up the rear lights on both to function 1 and set the head light to dim on stop and reverse. I would consist them but I operate on different layouts with 3 different DCC systems.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!