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Single DCC Decoder Controlling Two Locomotives

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  • Member since
    January 2017
  • 2,980 posts
Single DCC Decoder Controlling Two Locomotives
Posted by NWP SWP on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 10:51 AM

Hi, I have been looking at Walthers Mainline SD70ACe and I was wondering could one purchase a DCC equipped loco and a DC loco and then wire the decoder to run both?

Steve

If everything seems under control, you're not going fast enough!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 11:26 AM

 Probably not, in the case of the sound decoder. It probably doesn;t ahve the current capacity to drive both motors. Just get a motor only decoder, $15 or so, and put it in the DC one.

                         --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
    March 2017
  • 129 posts
Posted by Canalligators on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 11:26 AM

Conceivably, but watch your current draw.  A decoder can only control so much current, and two motors would probably overload it.

Genesee Terminal, freelanced HO in Upstate NY
  ...hosting Loon Bay Transit Authority and CSX Intermodal.  Interchange with CSX (CR)(NYC).

CP/D&H, N scale, somewhere on the Canadian Shield

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 11:51 AM

All the decoder companies state the amps at their sites.

The SoundTraxx decoders are one or two amp versions.

The Tsunami 2 is one or two amps. Same with the Econami.

I am running a HO F3 in lash up mode. Decoder in A unit with speaker and motor. B unit, motor and speaker plus six wires between units. Using pickups in B unit also.

Knowing max amps for each unit including lights is needed.

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.

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