I just finished up installing a SoundTraxx Micro-Tsunami in the new Roundhouse 2-8-0 DCC ready old timer. I rather use the Micro.
I close coupled the loco and tender, plus replaced the stock couplers with the Kadee old time, 711 coupler. I use the Kadee 714 Hon3 coupler also since I do not use the glad hands. The 711 and 714 are identical.
Close coupled
Stock coupling
Couplers
Micro installation
Tender truck pickups
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.
Nice work. It definetly gains by the close coupling.
Question. I don't see the external capacitor the Tsunami usually has. They done away with it ? Did you encounter issues on programming track. Previous Tsunami's I have encounter issues on Programming track, even with a PowerPax booster present.
UpNorth wrote:Nice work. It definetly gains by the close coupling. Question. I don't see the external capacitor the Tsunami usually has. They done away with it ? Did you encounter issues on programming track. Previous Tsunami's I have encounter issues on Programming track, even with a PowerPax booster present.
The close coupling idea is from Harold who is around the Trains.com forums.
http://www.pacificcoastairlinerr.com/1905/roundhouse_2-8-0_page/
I am not using the keep alive capacitor in the 2-8-0 right now as it is running very well. I use the NCE Power Cab at home and at the local club use the NCE Power Pro. I have not had any issues so far when programming on the main or program track.
My MDC Climax loco with the Micro does have the keep alive as as I was not sure of the wheel pickups.
I came upon that site sometime ago googling. Harold does quite a number on that tender. I remember being impressed.
Did you modify the trucks for pickup or were they as we see ?
UpNorth wrote:I came upon that site sometime ago googling. Harold does quite a number on that tender. I remember being impressed.Did you modify the trucks for pickup or were they as we see ?
The trucks come that way. They are also keyed so they go on only one way. That keeps the trucks from swiveling too far and breaking the pickup wires. Roundhouse has improved the quality quite a lot. The locos could use more detail but I can live with it. The loco can handle 18" curves with no problems.
I am converting a 4-4-0 and two 2-6-0s the same way. Except for drivers and headlights, the three types are identical. I contacted Roundhouse to see if I could purchase the trucks alone but they aid no.