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Matching decoders question?

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Maryville IL
  • 9,577 posts
Matching decoders question?
Posted by cudaken on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 11:41 AM

 I have a PK2 E-7 A with QSI sound. From Walters it has a RTC decoder and they have it program so the engine has momentum on starting up and slowing down. I want to douple head it with a PK E-6 B unit that has no decoder as of now.

 Do I need a decoder that has RTC? I know I can have the CV's changed so the RTC featuer does not fuction but I like it.

 

             Thanks, Cuda Ken

I hate Rust

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Elyria, OH
  • 2,586 posts
Posted by BRVRR on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 12:43 PM

cudaken,

I'm fairly certain you can use any good quality decoder and get the results you need. I use Digitrax DH123s or TCS T-1 decoders in non-sound equipped locos that are paired with those with sound.

The only BLI locos I have are steamers. I did match a Digitrax DZ123 equipped S3 to my BLI Mike for use as a pusher. In additon I have matched both decoders to Soundtraxx and MRC sound equipped locos. It may take a bit of experimentation to get the match-up just so, but it can be done.

Remember its your railroad

Allan

  Track to the BRVRR Website:  http://www.brvrr.com/

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, March 28, 2007 3:01 PM

 You should be able to speed match just about any decoder to the sound unit. You might be better off with one that does not have RTC (Back-EMF) or that has adjustable back-emf. If both locos are running with BEMF, they will tend to fight one another more than they normally would - say the one behind is slightly faster, it pushes, gets slowed down, BEMF gives it more power. In the mean time, the front one gets pushed, the load lightened, and BEMF turns DOWN the power.
 Or vice-versa, the front one pulls away, it gets loaded down more, BEMF gives it more power. The trailing unit gets pulled, has its load lightened, and BEMF cuts power. To this end, most Digitrax decoders with BEMF actually have 2 sets of settings, oen for running alone,a nd one for when in consist. The default settings actually tuen off BEMF when in consist. Or just use a decoder without BEMF, the NCE D13SRJ works well in the P2K E-units.

 

                                                --Randy
 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

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