I run kato locomotives in consist in n-scale (Intermodal.) Would this do any damage to the motors in the long term. One locomotive runs slower than the other, which I know happens in dc, but I am really interested to know how this effects the motors.
In my uneducated opinion, I'd imagine the locomotive that is faster at a certain DC voltage will have more load when paired with slower counterparts in cases where the speed difference is minor; as it is carrying some of the slower models locomotive's weight. In greater differences of speed, there would be stress on the couplers of the unit(s) involved, as they would start to bear the stress load of holding these unit(s) together - and you'd be effectively dragging the slower unit. There would, of course, be the extra load on the faster locomotive say as it would be pulling the intermodals AND the slower locomotive(s).
If you go to the "search our community" to the right of the screen enter "speed matching" you will find posts with this topic. and explain what CV's you can change to speed match your locos. It would make no sence for me to explain it, when the answers are already here you just have to look for them.
Truck.
Truck If you go to the "search our community" to the right of the screen enter "speed matching" you will find posts with this topic. and explain what CV's you can change to speed match your locos. It would make no sence for me to explain it, when the answers are already here you just have to look for them. Truck.
Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Respectfully I must ask, did you read the post or the heading? Where does the assumption come from that the OP is using DCC when his subject line says "DC"?
To the OP, small to moderate speed variations of DC locos consisted together will have no measurable long term negative effect on your locos. Trust me, many of us who use DC have been doing it for decades - it works fine.
If you are pulling enough cars to need more than one loco, any "fighting" between their speeds will be minimized even more. The weight of the train will pull the slack out and the locos will work together to pull the load. It was really no different than when to steam locomotive engineers worked to gether by feel to pull a train.
The biggest consideration with consisting DC locos is that they should be close in overall speed profile, but more importantly that they have a very similar starting voltage/speed to allow smooth starting and stopping. If the starting voltage and speed are similar, a lot of the rest will take care of its self.
I run lots of "mixed" DC locos together, different brands of steam, etc.
Do a search of this topic and you find a lot of info on here.
Sheldon
ATLANTIC CENTRAL Truck: If you go to the "search our community" to the right of the screen enter "speed matching" you will find posts with this topic. and explain what CV's you can change to speed match your locos. It would make no sence for me to explain it, when the answers are already here you just have to look for them. Truck. Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Respectfully I must ask, did you read the post or the heading? Where does the assumption come from that the OP is using DCC when his subject line says "DC"? To the OP, small to moderate speed variations of DC locos consisted together will have no measurable long term negative effect on your locos. Trust me, many of us who use DC have been doing it for decades - it works fine. If you are pulling enough cars to need more than one loco, any "fighting" between their speeds will be minimized even more. The weight of the train will pull the slack out and the locos will work together to pull the load. It was really no different than when to steam locomotive engineers worked to gether by feel to pull a train. The biggest consideration with consisting DC locos is that they should be close in overall speed profile, but more importantly that they have a very similar starting voltage/speed to allow smooth starting and stopping. If the starting voltage and speed are similar, a lot of the rest will take care of its self. I run lots of "mixed" DC locos together, different brands of steam, etc. Do a search of this topic and you find a lot of info on here. Sheldon
Truck: If you go to the "search our community" to the right of the screen enter "speed matching" you will find posts with this topic. and explain what CV's you can change to speed match your locos. It would make no sence for me to explain it, when the answers are already here you just have to look for them. Truck.
I guess the pain medication is working, SORRY I overlooked the end of the question and assumed DCC because of where it was posted. I will accept my 90 lashes with honor.
Truck, that's fine, no problem we all "miss" stuff now and then, no lashes necessary. Respectfully, I would however remind you that it is the "Electronics and DCC" section, and that there are electronics OTHER than DCC.
There is nothing to suggest that post was anywhere other than where it should have been. It was a question about the electrical nature, behavior and operation of DC locomotives.
My modeling is full of "electronics", wireless radio throttles, detection circuits, signaling, CTC, one touch turnout route controls, etc, but no DCC to be found on the property.
I run two or three DC locos together all the time with no problems. I get some bumping once in a while but I don't think it is anything to worry about. I usually run similar type/manufacturers together like Kato and Atlas. I try to run LL's by themselves and never run a brass loco with anything else.
-Paul
As long as the faster loco isn't spinning its wheels, you can run them in tandem from now until the treads wear out. This is especially true if you run at prototypical speeds on less than maximum voltage.
I model in twice-N scale (1:80, aka HOj.) I routinely doublehead steam locos of utterly different designs, steam with diesel-hydraulics and even catenary motors with diesel-hydraulics. Since I operate at speeds appropriate to the trackwork (which was laid down using a sidewinder for a straightedge, thanks to a meandering river in a steep-sided valley) my locos all cooperate. If things are utterly incompatible, I have been known to slip a resistor in series with the main motor(s.)
Incidentally, I don't worry about what the locomotive is made of. I have multipled brass, plastic and pot metal steam (sometimes all three in a single train!) without problems.
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
In my method of consisting with DC which I do offen, I make sure I buy Kato, or Intermountain Or atlas
etc. out of the same mfg batch. Therefore SD 40t-2's or F3's or PA's Or RS3's, on and on etc. After coupler conversion is complete (Micro Trains N Scale) their matched on the layout. I have never had any push pull or drag problems since I started doing this and never any damage to my loco's. I am getting ready to convert to DCC and Oh Man, it will be decoder time but for me the time will be right. The Locomotive equipment of today is is so wonderful as compared to even 5 years ago in DC. Hope this gives you peace of mind running in a consist of matched run, bought Loco's. Doug
Put the faster engine in front.
Martin Myers
i had a simler problem with 2 life-like pa1 units but i fixed it ezer than i thought i small amount of dust biult up in the gear box and motor bearings all it needed was a good cleaning and oiling and both units went at the same speed but on differnt models even from the same company may have differnt gears so your best bet when it comes to speed matching is to by 2 or more motive power the same year if posable the same lot number this will let you know that the age and gears are the same and as thay ware the speed should stay the same but even a kato gp-38 from 3 years ago has a differnt gear box from one you can bye today your best bet if you can look for a used MRC camand 2000 its a nice start to dcc has 3 biult in throtles can run 10 locos and one or more dc locos with dcc locos and has all you need to speed match all your locos as well as a very low price tag i bought mine used for 25 dollors off e-bay 5 years ago and its still working today the only real cost is the dcc decoder and i get the digitrax dz123 (19.99 to 25.99 depending on hobby shop) decoder its so small its ment for z scale so it fits inside n scale loco most of the time without having to do any kind of cutting and has more light and other functions than my dcc system can run but thay work grate and if you follow the very good directions in the bag youll be runing on dcc in no time
Truck ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Sheldon I guess the pain medication is working, SORRY I overlooked the end of the question and assumed DCC because of where it was posted. I will accept my 90 lashes with honor. Truck.
ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Sheldon
Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Sheldon
Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"?
Truck:
I don't think you need to accept any lashes, or at least no more than 45. While your answer may not apply to N scale DC locos, or to the Kato locos mentioned, in HO scale there are some locos which come with decoders, are operated on DC, and have some CVs which can be adjusted to affect analog (DC) operation.
maxman Truck: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Sheldon I guess the pain medication is working, SORRY I overlooked the end of the question and assumed DCC because of where it was posted. I will accept my 90 lashes with honor. Truck. Truck: I don't think you need to accept any lashes, or at least no more than 45. While your answer may not apply to N scale DC locos, or to the Kato locos mentioned, in HO scale there are some locos which come with decoders, are operated on DC, and have some CVs which can be adjusted to affect analog (DC) operation.
Truck: ATLANTIC CENTRAL: Truck, since when do DC locos have "CV's"? Sheldon I guess the pain medication is working, SORRY I overlooked the end of the question and assumed DCC because of where it was posted. I will accept my 90 lashes with honor. Truck.
Maxman, yes, in dual mode decoders some of the CV's do effect DC performance, however I have yet to find a dual mode decoder equiped loco that runs as good as its non decoder counterpart when running on DC. For good DC operation those decoders have to go! - or not be there in the first place.
Most will not hardly run at all on my Aristo Train Engineer throttles and every DCC loco I have bought now runs better on DC without its factory dual mode decoder.
My issue with truck was not really about that, it was about the "assumption" that because the post was in the "Electronics and DCC" forum that the OP was using DCC and that the question was about DCC.
There are "electronics" in this hobby that have nothing to do with DCC and the title of the Forum is "Electronics AND DCC", not "Electronics of DCC".