Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Double Decoder Draw?

1073 views
3 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    January 2007
  • 327 posts
Posted by locoworks on Monday, August 4, 2008 2:40 AM
 Jake1210 wrote:

 mikebo wrote:
It is probably possible since most modern locos I have don't draw more than .25 amps, but I don't think the current draw is the real issue. I don't think its worth it considering the wiring complexity (6 wires between units) and the inability to adjust the speed of each loco separately to speed match them. Given you can get a good  NCE or TCS decoder for about $20 for the second loco, I don't think the second speaker buys you much if you use best, largest speaker you can find and mount it in a good enclosure.

Thanks mike, I forgot about the possible differences in speed between the two units. As for there being two speakers, the only reason for that is so the sound comes from both units (as in one speaker in the A and one in the B) instead of just one.

i suppose you could use a seperate decoder for motor functions and lights in the B unit and just run 2 wires with a micro plug accross the gap for running a speaker in it. it would obviously only give sound when coupled to the A unit, but the A unit would be usable on its own with sound.  that said though, as the A and B would be in perfect syncronisation with EVERY sound, i don't really see the point as there would be no differential in the sounds. it would be like using 2 speakers on a mono output and pretending its stereo.to get the effect of 2 engines running, you really need 2 sound decoders.

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: New Bedford, MA
  • 253 posts
Posted by Jake1210 on Sunday, August 3, 2008 8:42 PM

 mikebo wrote:
It is probably possible since most modern locos I have don't draw more than .25 amps, but I don't think the current draw is the real issue. I don't think its worth it considering the wiring complexity (6 wires between units) and the inability to adjust the speed of each loco separately to speed match them. Given you can get a good  NCE or TCS decoder for about $20 for the second loco, I don't think the second speaker buys you much if you use best, largest speaker you can find and mount it in a good enclosure.

Thanks mike, I forgot about the possible differences in speed between the two units. As for there being two speakers, the only reason for that is so the sound comes from both units (as in one speaker in the A and one in the B) instead of just one.

  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: Maryland
  • 178 posts
Posted by mikebo on Sunday, August 3, 2008 8:15 PM
It is probably possible since most modern locos I have don't draw more than .25 amps, but I don't think the current draw is the real issue. I don't think its worth it considering the wiring complexity (6 wires between units) and the inability to adjust the speed of each loco separately to speed match them. Given you can get a good  NCE or TCS decoder for about $20 for the second loco, I don't think the second speaker buys you much if you use best, largest speaker you can find and mount it in a good enclosure.
Mike Modeling Maryland Railroads in the 60's (plus or minus a few years)
  • Member since
    August 2007
  • From: New Bedford, MA
  • 253 posts
Double Decoder Draw?
Posted by Jake1210 on Sunday, August 3, 2008 2:41 PM

No, I'm not asking on how to double a decoders maximum current draw. Tongue [:P] I was wondering if it is possible to have one of the new diesel Tsunamis wired to two Stewart FT units, like, having one decoder for a permanant A/B lashup without burning out the decoder. (Well, it should be possible if the combined current draw is under about 0.9 amps) So I'm guess I'm actually asking, what is the current draw of a Stewart F-unit? Also, would it be possible to wire 2 high bass speakers (1 for each unit) to the Tsunami decoder, or does the decoder not have enough power for two speakers?.

Thank you in advance!

-Jake

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!