Track and electrical/DCC
DCC starter kit
Does anyone make a DCC complete starter kit?
Background info: my grandson and I are building the River Pass layout by Woodland Senics, this is my first build and I know nothing about DCC basics other than a few things I've read, Thanks in advance.
JMRI
Request for help.
We are having a problem with the JMRI throttle not controlling any DCC engine. Our DCC system is an EasyDCC from CVP and is working fine with no problem. JMRI appears to run fine on the computer. JMRI will turn the track power on and off and with the command monitor window open we see commands being sent, so we know the serial cable is connected. But the JMRI throttle we can't control an engine, throttle or function,even though we can see commands being sent in the command monitor.
IDCs for solid wire?
I just saw a video in which IDC (suitcase) connectors were used with solid wire. I was under the impression they were for stranded wire only. Can somebody clarify?
iphone 4 speaker
Do you cut the iphone4 speaker to fit the location in the locomotive ? It is fairly long, but thickness and width are great size. Thanks Zeke
SDH104K1A+FN04K1 COMBO wiring diagram ???
So I pulled apart an old locomotive I bought at a trainshow. It has what appears to be a SDH104K1A+FN04K1 COMBO board in it. The soldering job/wiring really leaves something to be desired and although I have graduated to Soundtraxx, Lok and WOW, I thought this decoder could be moved to a secondary unit that sees limited track time.
Digitrax DCC Questions
I am reading the manual, and looking at the diagrams and doing some searches. My main search question is how many power districts? This question does not really have a straight answer and I think its because there is so much variation in current draw between older and newer locos.
All of my fleet is Atlas/Kato or Kato or BLI or now Bowser Executive which I am really impressed with. Most will get sound decoders. Loksound.
Athearn moving to Loksound and LEDs!
I just noticed in the latest Athearn announcements, http://www.athearn.com/Articles/Hobbywire.aspx , that the new Genesis UP FEFs will feature Loksound decoders and LED lighting. I believe this is a first for Athearn, and I presume it's indicative of their future direction for all models. Made my day! Great decision on both counts Athearn!
Suggested improvements to Joe Fugate's Central Valley turnouts
I have built a bunch of HO turnouts using Central Valley switch tie strips, following the methods described by Joe Fugate. I don't know why, but building these is about my favorite part of constructing my model railroad.
I am also trying to take to heart the concepts and great advice contained in Joe's recent "Runs like a dream- trackwork" book. To that end, I am being super vigilant about keeping everything in gauge throughout my turnouts.
Electrical Pickup Issue : Revisit Walthers 90 ft manual TT
I have read all the old forum posts on the Walthers 90 ft turntable but little was mentioned about electrical pickup issues. I purchased the 90 ft manual turntable and associated DC motor this Spring (2016). I recently assembled it and have no complaints about the turntable and it's assembly and operation. Motor is a little noisy but the TT runs very smoothly with 3 -1.5 volt batteries and a double pole center-off momentary switch. The problem I am having is keeping track power consistently on the brass bushings with the sheet brass arms in the kit.
hand laid turnouts
Having watched a few videos on hand laying turnouts, a question / suggestion occurs. Instead of positioning all the parts and then transferring solder to the joint with the iron ( not the "preferred" method of soldering), why not tin everything before positioning and then just reflow the joints with a hot iron? I haven't tried it, but it seems it would result in better joints requiring less cleanup.
>> Posts index
Navigation
Journals/Blogs
Recent Blog posts: