i don't have an amp meter to measure the amount of amps being used. Can somebody help me with this?
I have 21 engines with decoders in them. No two have the same amperage draw. To get an accurate answer you need to get an amp meter.
There are many factors that contribute to the amps drawn. Plus as the engine gets broken in, the amps will usually start to drop.
Use the below link. Get a couple of these meters. I have four. Easy to misplace at times. Got mine for a couple dollars each. Even on ebay. Some meter faces look a little different but suspect they all come from same company in China.
http://www.trainelectronics.com/Meter_HF/index.htm
Use one on the 20ma DC scale with a few components. I built one for me and one for the club. I used the ZXCT circuit. This guy test all his circuits.
http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/DCCvolts.html
The meters read 13.6 vac from my NCE Power Cab and very handy for finding defective feeders. Been told a couple times not good for DCC but have never had any issues. Much cheaper than a Ramp meter.
If I suspect spiking, I use my Scope but on a home layout, never had any spiking. Was a decoder issue.
There is a DCC and electrical forum right nearby.
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.
Is it usually 1/2 amp, 3/4 amp or other for a sound equipped locomotive. I'm not looking for exact measurements.
ESU LokSound V4.0 decoders and most other sound decoders are rated at 1 Amp, which should be more than sufficient for locomotives recently manufactured. Older locos with open-frame motors draw much more than that.
The actual rating depends on a number of things and can vary even with two of the same locos from the same manufacturer. It´s not possible to establish a general value.
Sir Madogand most other sound decoders are rated at 1 Amp
That "rating" only specifies how much load the decoder can support from the motor. It doesn't include the current draw of the sound circuitry and says nothing about the actual draw from the motor.
I believe what the OP is looking for is the result of some measurements somebody has done on the current draw of a locomotive they have measured. It's like all the folks that are telling him where to get meters have never actually measured anything with them or are for some reeason witholding the results.
I know this is one of those "your mileage may vary" kind of questions, but it's not like he's going to send the congressional oversite committee after you if your answer turns out to be wrong.
I have the right to remain silent. By posting here I have given up that right and accept that anything I say can and will be used as evidence to critique me.
David,
IIRC, for "newer" sound decoders - it's generally 1/2A or less. For non-sound - 1/4A.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Operated properly, a RRampMeter should show you the current draw (amps) on a specific locomotive.
Alton Junction
This is one of those questions that lead to nowhere!
The only answer that can be given is < 1 amp!
Sir Madog This is one of those questions that lead to nowhere! The only answer that can be given is < 1 amp!
Sir MadogThe only answer that can be given is < 1 amp!
Sorry, but I don't believe that is correct. The correct non-answer (IMO) is "up to 1-amp for the motor PLUS whatever the sound system draws".
Rich , that´s quite correct, but not what the OP asked for.
Blame it on my poor English, if I did not made myself understood correctly.
Most decoders are safe for a motor current draw of up to 1 amp and, additionally, up to 250 milli-amps for each function lead.
Oh, btw, engines don´t "have" amps, they draw amps from the power source.
For my HO scale locos, I have measured about 300 ma up to about 800 ma. One older MDC all metal 4-4-2 measured about 1.5 amps as I recall. Remotored by NWSL for me.
Don't depend only what anyone here says. Measure.
Decoders can me costly when it comes to sound decoders.
Your mileage, amps may vary.
Thanks guys, sorry for asking such a difficult question.
Not difficult, just not sure of what you really wanted. Good to ask.
I have belonged to a bunch of train forums for some years and I recall maybe three who smoked decoders because they had no idea on how much current their locos would draw.
DCC is really more complex than many realise.
The link I posted for doing this is not very complicated if you follow the directions.
DAVID FORTNEY Thanks guys, sorry for asking such a difficult question.
If not into using a meter, the RRampMeter by DCC specialties the easiest way to go.
Ten amp and twenty amp versions.