I own a Proto 2000 DCC Sound Equipped SW8 Locomotive. As I was reading the instruction booklet, it said that I could operate the locomotive on a DC layout and even operate the lights and horn using the direction switch. Can't this mode of operation burn out the chip?
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Mike Kieran
Port Able Railway
I just do what the majority of the voices in my head vote on.
Mike,
I have not seen it burn out the decoder, but it is a 'pain' to operate. BLI and MRC both offer control boxes you attach to the output of power pack that allow you operate the extra sound functions.
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Mike Kieran I own a Proto 2000 DCC Sound Equipped SW8 Locomotive. As I was reading the instruction booklet, it said that I could operate the locomotive on a DC layout and even operate the lights and horn using the direction switch. Can't this mode of operation burn out the chip?
You have a dual mode decoder so you'll be fine. Just use a standard DC controller. No AC.
Springfield PA
No, that loco uses a QSI decoder which supports operation on DC as well as DCC.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanks guys, I thought that I had read that the chip would burn out while perusing a thread.
The old Soundtraxx decoders, pre-Tsunami, would not operate on DC, and in fact would be damaged. Not the case fo Loksound, Tsunami, or QSI.
OK, that's what I was worried about.
Jim,
The control boxes by BLI and MRC, as well as the QE by Atlas, is hooked up to a DC system that allows use of all the sounds contained in a compatible DCC sound decoder, yes? Do these control boxes also allow the use of an older generation DC loco and a late model DCC sound equipped loco together on the same track and be able to generate fully functioning sounds?
I think this is a question that older DC guys like me are searching for who may not want to go all-in DCC but want a few locos with sound to make our modeling experience more enjoyable.
Paul
No, the command swill likely make the DC loco do a herky jerky dance, plus there remains the issue of needing to turn the throttle up past half way before the sound loco even begins to move - meantime the DC loco is rocketing around the layout.
I was afraid that was to be the case that a DC and a DCC loco would run at different speeds. But, there is a solution since the Atlas Quantum Engineer is so cheap and that is to run a sound only loco consist when the need arises. Going full DCC is not really an option for me since I have over 60 locos of various ages, some dating back to the early days of N scale, and some sweet Hallmark brass locos that actually run decently. For a small investment though, I could satisfy my itch for sound.
I appreciate your reply and will ponder a decision.
-Paul
Maybe look into the new Soundtraxx Surround that is coming out this summer. ( I think this summer? ) Sounds are intended to be coming from moving locos without any sound decoders in your locos.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/surround/
On second thought I think I'm putting the cart before the horse as I think this will be operated only with DCC.
Well at least you can look into it, who knows what will happen.
Wadda ya mean I'm old ? Just because I remember gasoline at 9 cents a gallon and those big coal burning steamers.
Plus Surroundtraxx has been 'right aaround the corner' now for at least 6 years.
Perhaps if they rethought the need for Transponding - RR&Co does a great job of following trains using a known starting point and just block detection.
Gentlemen,
Are you talking about the Soundtraxx DSP-80 Multi-Train Sound System with an MSRP of $595.00 in the W catalog? Not only is the base unit price out of this world but all of the acccessories you need to get it work is crazy. Speakers are sold seperately as are block detectors at ~$150.00 and two RX-4's at ~$50.00 (whatever they are) for each block are needed. Each train must also be equipped at least one transponder to boot. Does Soundtraxx really expect any one to go for this? The world has gone nuts.