dcc loco address and sound in b-unit address

[cpress station]

Being some what new to DCC please excuse my ignorance:

I will be receiving a DCC A/B diesel loco that has the A unit programed for one address (power decoder only) and the B-unit (dummy with Tsunami sound only decoder installed) with another decoder address programed. Can I program both the powered A unit decoder to the same B unit sound only decoder address so my Digitrax Zephry can operate both power and sound at the same time to the same address?

 

Thanks

 

Mark

 

[locoi1sa]

   Mark

  In a word YES. I do it all the time with locos that are run all the time together. They are all the same address. It is easier then consisting when I travel to different layouts.

     Pete

[cacole]

Certainly you can give them the same address, since the B unit has only the sound decoder and is not powered.

[cadman11]

Mark,

I agree with Pete and do the same all the time even with several powered DCC  units. The only thing I suggest regarding speed matching is to use a decoder from the same manufacturer... Unless you have a Bachrus speedometer to set up speeds/curves.

When I first started with DCC I made the mistake of mixing and matching locos with decoders from different manufacturers not to mention locos that come with DCC on board. With locos running at different speeds you will run into problems from startup/shutdowns to derailing around curves if a trailing loco is pushing the lead unit. On the other hand if one unit is pulling another you run the risk of overheating the decoder, extra wear on the gear train and motor.

Cadman1 

[rrinker]

 This is the way to go. My B unit is a powered one with a Tsunami, it runs wight with my powered A with a TCS decoder. The time you will have issues mixing and matchign is if one unit has a BEMF decoder and the other does not, but even that can be adjusted. A dummy loco with just a sound decoder won;t have any problem since it's not driving.

                      --Randy

 

[BRVRR]

I have several AB sets with the A unit powered and a dummy B unit with a sound decoder aboard. I always program the A and B units with the same address. It makes life simpler.

I even go one step further in most cases. I connect the A and B units together electrically with a Miniatronics two conductor wire/plug set. This set up doubles the number of wheels the locos have for electrical pick up and virtually eliminates the stutter common with sound equipped locomotives.

 

[cv_acr]

OR, you could just consist them together as needed so you don't have to keep them as a permanent set...

Only the early FTs were permanently coupled. F-units (A and B) can be used and mixed with any other kind of power.