I have an old Rivarossi Y6b that is somewhat of a project (read obsession here), and three of the first run Bachman Class J 4-8-4s, all in N scale. I will be starting on my layout this year, and would like to use DCC. Sound would be great, but not absolutely necessary. Has anyone done this conversion. Is it possible? What decoders would you use (sound and non-sound), and is it worth it, expecially for the Class J's? Also, other than the free programming software, is there anything wrong with the MRC Pridigy Advance 2 system. I like the look and feel of the cab, but some of these posts seem to discount it. Any help appreciated.
Welcome to the Forums.
Yes, it is possible to convert them to DCC. It may not be easy. Can you work with tiny wires and solder really good? If not, try and find someone to do it for you.
About sound; you may be able to get the decoder and a small speaker in the tender (I have done it) but it won't be easy. What you will need to know is the stall current of the motor before you do anything else. The Soundtraxx Tsunami is a good choice for a sound and power decoder. They have a small ¾ amp unit that can be used for N scale.
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
Thanks for replying to the post, and sorry I took so long to respond.
Soldering skills should be alright, but still not sure if I should do it myself. My biggest worry is that I don't know if the motors are isolated from the frames, if they would need to be modified, etc. I don't want to fry anything.
I have been considering replacing three of the locos in question; they are the old Bachman Class J engines, and the new Spectrum steamers are not that expensive anymore and would be a simplified sound decoder install from what I can tell. I have found a few descriptions with pics of that 3/4 amp Tsunami going into those.
I just sorta hate to throw the old ones away; probably just being stubborn. I could renumber and use them for static display I suppose (can anyone explain why Bachman released the Spectrum engines with the same engine numbers as the original units, of which no parts are interchangeable?)
The old Rivarossi has become sort of a project, though, and I'd like to keep it. I wonder if anyone's tried jacking up the shell and running a LifeLike Y3 under it?!?
When someone says the motors should be isolated from the frames, what is really meant is that the motor brushes should not be wired directly to any part of the locomotive that contacts the track or conducts track power to it. Some models are sneaky in that they have metal strips or springs that 'wire' one of the motor brushes to the frame. So you need to look for those types of things.
An ohm meter can be used to test for continuity from each motor brush to each set of wheels in turn.
Once again, thanks for replying. I'll check for continuity from the brushes.
I've been amassing cars and engines and models for about twenty years, and this year I'm finally going to actually start a layout, so, while not new to the hobby...I'm relatively new to the hobby! I appreciate the information very much.