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Reading Sound Decoders

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  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 297 posts
Reading Sound Decoders
Posted by markie97 on Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:02 PM

Hello;

I have an NCE Power Pro and i would like to be able to read my sound decoder equipped engines. I know I need a booster but I am looking for recommendations. Which would be easiest to install and have the ability to read all brands, though I'm particularly interested in Tsunami reading. Also compatibility with NCE.

Thanks in advance,

Mark

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:28 PM

This fellow is heavy into using NCE and JMRI/decoder pro for this. As usual, there is a leaning curve.

http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/nswmn/dcc_articles.htm

Rich

If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, April 12, 2012 7:38 PM

 There's actually a way to modify the Power Pro command station so that it doesn't need a program track booster, however generally it seems the Soundtraxx one is best.

                    --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2005
  • 550 posts
Posted by hdtvnut on Friday, April 13, 2012 12:53 AM

Randy, is that mod info posted anywhere?

Hal

 

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, April 13, 2012 6:39 AM

 It is, but I can;t find where it was I came across it, since I use Digitrax it was only of passing intereste to me and I didn;t save it. I believe it was on one of the Yahoo groups, either the NCE one or one of the sound ones. The basic concept is that since a light bulb is used to limit program track current, another cna be installed to increase the allowable limit.

                          --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    February 2008
  • 8,879 posts
Posted by maxman on Friday, April 13, 2012 4:32 PM
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, April 13, 2012 4:39 PM

 The second one is the one I was referring to.

I still can't believe they use a pair of light bulbs as the current limiter for the program track. Guess it works, but wow.

                  --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    January 2007
  • From: Eastern Shore Virginia
  • 3,290 posts
Posted by gandydancer19 on Friday, April 13, 2012 7:22 PM

I am a retired electronics technician and also have an NCE Power Pro.  I modified mine by adding an extra bulb and switch per the article and it works great. 

If you are familiar with electronics and doing circuit work, go for it.  Otherwise I would get either a programming track booster or an NCE power Cab system.  The Power Cab can read sound decoders without any modifications, plus you will have an extra throttle that will work with your Power Pro.

Elmer.

The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.

(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.

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