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Digatraxx LT1 for testing decoders?

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Gateway City
  • 1,593 posts
Digatraxx LT1 for testing decoders?
Posted by yankee flyer on Friday, February 4, 2011 3:58 PM

Hi

Do the Digatraxx guys find the LT1 usefull for testing decoders and if so would it work with the NCE power cab?
I have a couple LT1s on hand as wondering if I could set up a tester to use before installing a decoder.

Greatings from the great white midwest the land of sleet and snow.

Lee

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Trois-Rivieres Quebec Canada
  • 1,063 posts
Posted by jalajoie on Friday, February 4, 2011 4:10 PM

I personally use the NCE testers but I don't see why a LT1 would not work.

See that link : http://tsd.digitrax.com/index.php?a=568

 

Jack W.

  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: South Carolina
  • 1,719 posts
Posted by Train Modeler on Friday, February 4, 2011 4:23 PM

I keep thinking I'll use the LT1, but it's kind of a pain to hook up with clips, etc.   I usually just go ahead and test the decoder as I install.   

One thing though, I'm thinking of having an old loco with jst and 8pin connectors for testing.

Tichard

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • 1,932 posts
Posted by Stevert on Friday, February 4, 2011 5:00 PM

yankee flyer

Hi

Do the Digatraxx guys find the LT1 usefull for testing decoders...

Well, I'm a "Digitrax guy", and while I find the LT1 very useful for checking LocoNet cables, I can't say that I've ever used it to test a decoder. 

I assembled my decoder tester out of a handful of spare parts, including a 12v motor from I think an old cassette player.  Or was it a VCR?  I don't recall.  But regardless of where the motor came from, I find my home-brew decoder tester gives me better results than I think I'd get from an LT1.

yankee flyer
...and if so would it work with the NCE power cab?

Well, you're talking about testing decoders with it, right?  So it shouldn't matter which brand of DCC system you're using since that's not what you're testing.

yankee flyer
I have a couple LT1s on hand as wondering if I could set up a tester to use before installing a decoder.

You could, but see my reply above.  Not to knock the LTI, as I said it's great for LocoNet cables.  But in my opinion a better decoder tester isn't hard to throw together.

yankee flyer
Greatings from the great white midwest the land of sleet and snow.

Lee

No sleet here, just lots of snow.  But that's okay, more layout time!  Thumbs Up

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Gateway City
  • 1,593 posts
Posted by yankee flyer on Friday, February 4, 2011 8:15 PM

Thanks Guys.

I kind of like the idea of having an old loco wired so that the decoder could be pluged in for testing. I've never used an LT1. Wasn't sure how they worked.

Thanks again.    Thumbs Up

Lee

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 1,206 posts
Posted by mfm37 on Saturday, February 5, 2011 3:56 AM

I'm a Digitrax guy too. Buy a NCE decoder tester.  I did.  I have several LT1's because they are an excellent tester for loconet. They are horrible as a decoder tester.

Martin Myers

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