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What Amp Rating Decoder Should I Use for HO?

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Posted by DigitalGriffin on Thursday, January 26, 2017 2:58 PM

Trainman440
Econami 2 amp decoders cost $5 less the the 1 amp decoders



You might want to double check the size to make sure it fits.

Don - Specializing in layout DC->DCC conversions

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Posted by Trainman440 on Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:37 PM

riogrande5761

No drawbacks electrically; the only real drawback might be higher cost for 2 amp decoder over a 1 amp.  Think of it like buying a gas tank that 24 gallons when you only need a 12 gallon gas tank for the way you drive.  It costs more, and you don't need the capacity but it doesn't harm in any way.

That's exactly what I need! thanks!

"the only real drawback might be higher cost for 2 amp decoder over a 1 amp" - that's what I thought, but Econami 2 amp decoders cost $5 less the the 1 amp decoders...so now Im just going to buy 2 amp econami decoders for some of my bigger engines...

Thanks again, 

Charles

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Posted by Trainman440 on Thursday, January 26, 2017 12:34 PM

hon30critter

 

May I ask why you would delete your questions? A lot of people follow these 

Dave

Because my original questions were vague and poorly worded. 

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Posted by riogrande5761 on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 6:11 AM

Trainman440

Are there any drawbacks/differences in using a 2 amp decoder(instead of a 1 amp decoder) in an engine that has a 1 amp-stall motor?

Charles

No drawbacks electrically; the only real drawback might be higher cost for 2 amp decoder over a 1 amp.  Think of it like buying a gas tank that 24 gallons when you only need a 12 gallon gas tank for the way you drive.  It costs more, and you don't need the capacity but it doesn't harm in any way.

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Posted by hon30critter on Wednesday, January 25, 2017 1:56 AM

Charles:

Trainman440
(questions deleted as they are answered)

May I ask why you would delete your questions? A lot of people follow these threads and the answers to your questions might prove to be very valuable to them. If the questions no longer appear in your opening post some of those people might not explore the thread any further so they won't see the questions and answers that the thread has generated. The forums are here to share information so why restrict that?

Please understand that I'm not trying to criticize you. I'm just trying to make the information that your thread has generated available to everyone who might benefit from it.

Dave

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 11:50 PM

Sounds like you have to fine tune the decoder.

Is the 2-8-0 a Bachmann on board DCC?

They use the Ez Command decoder. The CV list is at the Bachmann site.

If another brand of decoder, use the company CV list.

With a three foot section of track and stop watch, calculate the actual speed in HO scale.

The loco probably requires about 750 ma, max. A 2 amp would do nothing more.

Most DCC locos require fine tuning.

Rich

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Posted by Trainman440 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 8:31 PM

BMMECNYC

 

 
Trainman440
I am talking about a Bachmann 2-8-0. They have a can motor. The drive train is very freerolling, properly lubricated, and without kinks.

 

Did you hardwire or use their board?

 

I used their board, making sure to cut off the capacitor. 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

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Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 8:29 PM

Trainman440
I am talking about a Bachmann 2-8-0. They have a can motor. The drive train is very freerolling, properly lubricated, and without kinks.

Did you hardwire or use their board?

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Posted by Trainman440 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 6:42 PM

I purposefully left out the loco info. I was asking these questions more for a general engine, not any engine in particular. 

With that said...

The drivers don't slip. The engine just seems weak after the decoder install. 

I am talking about a Bachmann 2-8-0. They have a can motor. The drive train is very freerolling, properly lubricated, and without kinks. 

 

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

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Posted by Mark R. on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 4:51 PM

Decoders don't "use" power, the motor does .... the decoder only "provides" the power. The problem arises if the motor tries to use more power than the decoder can provide. In that case, damage to the decoder will likely happen.

Best to first do a stall current reading of your motor to see how much current the motor will draw when fully loaded. Then use an appropriate decoder to match the motor's requirements.

Mark.

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Posted by richg1998 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 4:08 PM

Not enough info. A one amp decoder should work.

I am assuimg the drivers slip.

What DCC controller, loco and decoder?

Did you do any fine tuning of the decoder?

Also, do a speed test with a measured course and stop watch for a realistic speed comparison.

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.

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What Amp Rating Decoder Should I Use for HO?
Posted by Trainman440 on Tuesday, January 24, 2017 3:49 PM

Are there any drawbacks/differences in using a 2 amp decoder(instead of a 1 amp decoder) in an engine that has a 1 amp-stall motor? Even though it is the same motor, would the 2 amp deocder use more amperage, because its rated higher?

Does limiting the amperage on a motor limit the speed, or power of the motor itself?

(questions deleted as they are answered)

Charles

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Modeling the PRR & NYC in HO

Youtube Channel: www.youtube.com/@trainman440

Instagram (where I share projects!): https://www.instagram.com/trainman440

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