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Different Speeds for Same Loco?

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  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 8:14 PM

 TCS does much better when using LEDs for other than just on/off lights - link blinking strobes or ditch lights. TCS also has better BEMF that can be set to turn off above a certain speed.

 In in HO, but the TCS N scale decoders are the same, only smaller. Everythign I have that's not sound has a TCS decoder. I use a Digtrax system, but I prefer other decoders.

                    --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 2010
  • From: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada
  • 252 posts
Posted by CNR378 on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 9:57 AM

mjmueller

Right, all I'm saying is that those were the only 2 choices for the type of loco I have.  I was just wondering what the differences were & if one was better than the other.

mj

Better is a matter of opinion. Both Digitrax and TCS produce quallity decoders. The features will be similar with minor differences which youi will need to read the manuals for.

You can't go wrong with either one IMO.

Peter

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 109 posts
Posted by mjmueller on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 9:39 AM

Right, all I'm saying is that those were the only 2 choices for the type of loco I have.  I was just wondering what the differences were & if one was better than the other.

mj

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 6:38 AM

 Not everyone wants sound in everything.

          --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
    November 2009
  • 71 posts
Posted by MOAVBILLY on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 11:10 PM

Personally I use SoundTraxx/Tsunami's....not a fan of "D" or "TCS". My 2nd choice would be QSI.

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 109 posts
Posted by mjmueller on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 12:14 PM

Thanks everyone for all the help.  I went out today and got two decoders for my Fox Valley AC44's.  I went with the Digitrax DZ125IN.  My new question is, what decoders are better?

I could have gone with the Train Control Systems EUN651 decoders.  What are your thoughts on the quality & differences.  Also, I have to get decoders for my Kato Gevo's soon & there are 2 for that one also.

 Digitrax DN163K1B or Train Control Systems K1D4.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Mpls/St.Paul
  • 13,892 posts
Posted by wjstix on Tuesday, May 24, 2011 9:41 AM

In my experience Atlas engines of the same type seem to be pretty close to each other speedwise. Other brands can be very different. But as noted by others, once you convert fully to DCC you can speed match them so they run perfectly together.

Stix
  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Monday, May 23, 2011 4:46 PM

After you run at medium speed a half hour in each direction you're usually ok.  Don't forget to oil moving parts.

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 109 posts
Posted by mjmueller on Monday, May 23, 2011 4:41 PM

Thanks a lot everyone.  Just wanted to make sure they were ok.  One last thing, how long to break in loco's?

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Gateway City
  • 1,593 posts
Posted by yankee flyer on Monday, May 23, 2011 4:30 PM

Hey

One other thing, they may come together after you run them for a while to break them in.  Huh?

Have fun.

Lee

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Monday, May 23, 2011 3:34 PM

With different tolerances in the gears and motors it is hard to say where the differences are. So you may get different speeds from the same manufacture even with the same model of locomotive, even when you apply the same voltage to them.

But with DCC you should be able to set some CV's and speed match them OK. That is one of the nice things about DCC.

 

  

  • Member since
    May 2008
  • 4,612 posts
Posted by Hamltnblue on Monday, May 23, 2011 3:31 PM

How much difference are you talking?  They only have to be close to consist.  If they are pretty close then put the fastest loco up front.

Springfield PA

  • Member since
    February 2010
  • From: Hillsboro, Oregon
  • 934 posts
Posted by Eric97123 on Monday, May 23, 2011 3:27 PM

Once you get the DCC equiped then you can speed match them to where they are fairly close in speed.  I have most of locos speed matched but I have a couple that are off a little bit at different throttle settings but once you are pulling a string of cars it will be ok.   You just dont want the speed difference to be too dramatic when you run them together.  

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 109 posts
Posted by mjmueller on Monday, May 23, 2011 2:53 PM

Oh, sorry, I guess I should have said that.  None of these are DCC yet, but I am in the process of converting.  So all are running on DC, so all the same power.

 

mj

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Phoenix, AZ
  • 693 posts
Posted by woodone on Monday, May 23, 2011 2:44 PM

Are these DCC equiped?

  • Member since
    August 2010
  • 109 posts
Different Speeds for Same Loco?
Posted by mjmueller on Monday, May 23, 2011 2:27 PM

Hello:

Just a quick question here.  I have 2 ES44AC's from Fox Valley.  They both run fine, but one is faster than the other.  I can't figure it out.  I also have multiple Kato Gevo's, and the same thing.  I guess what I'm asking is, if this is normal.  Also, is it bad to run them together?

Thank you,

 

Mike

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