P2K FA2/FB2 decoders?

[Anonymous]

Anyone have an idea what decoders I should use on my P2K FA2/FB2 loco's. I'm running them linked and I have a few grade changes on my layout. I've heard that some decoders compensate for grade changes to keep same speed? Like cruise control.

Also I've noticed that my P2k Loco's run slower than my walthers and Rivirossi loco's. Not quite sure why that is?

Any help would be great,

Chad

[MRRSparky]

I installed (2) DH-120's in a friend's FA/FB set and used Digitrax's Universal Consisting (through the command station) and it works beautifully.

However, I will reprogram them to consist through the decoder because the Universal Consisting is only supported through the command station where I did the programming.

Another nice thing about the DH-120's: they have Digitrax's wiring harness. That means you can easily separate the decoder from the wiring harness and install any Digitrax decoder you might like in the hard-wired (or plug-in) harness.

I have DH-142's in my steamers since they support back EMF control. Back EMF control allows you to configure the variables to adjust the locos, even those consisted, to maintain the same speed regardless of grade. The DH-120's were sitting around unused and seemed to be a good fit for a user who is not DCC-knowledgeable.

[nfmisso]

Hi Chad;

I would suggest Digitrax decoders: the DH123D for the B unit, and the DH163LO for the A unit.

The DH120 and DH140 that the other poster used are no longer in production.

The 123 is very inexpensive, and has limited ability to control, but you don't need much for a B unit. The 163 can control 6 funcitons, like different lights, etc. Both have simialr motor control systems, so matchin is not an issue.

See:
http://www.dcctrains.com/products/digitrax_decs.htm

Many P2K locomotives have constant lighting circuits in series with the motor when the dummy DCC plug is installed, which reduces the voltage available to the motor - so it runs slower.

Nigel

[Anonymous]

Nigel

Wow, thanks for the details! Couple more ?'s for ya.

So, when I get the decoders hooked up the speed should be a bit faster?

From the instructions that come with the loco's it tells me to also change the head light when going to DCC.

To run both loco's together paired....I can just assign the same decoder address....right?

Chad

[nfmisso]

Hi Chad;

If you use the DH163 series decoder, you do not need to change the lights. That is one of the unique features of this series of decoders.

You can program the decoders to make the locomotives as fast as you want within reason. DCC systems typically put more voltage on the track than DC systems, and then is just programming the speed tables until you get what you want.

You could assign the same address to both if you want. I would not, with 4 digit addresses, there are 9995 useable unique addresses (0, 1, 2, and 3 are used for other things; 0 is for controlling a DC locomotive - not recommended, 3 is the default setting of all decoders, so it is best to not to use it for anything but test a brand new loco/decoder). Another reason is that you can individually tweek each address (locomotive) while it is on the regular track; if you system supports this, the decoders I suggest do.

Nigel