Track and electrical/DCC
Fast tracks
Reading Joe's book on track work, and looking at getting a jig for switch building, but my concern is with the frog, as I don't feel too comfortable with building them and I'm wondering what options if any would work
Wireless DCC
I'm looking for a decent wireless DCC system to replace my Bachmann EZ Command. I have a small N scale coffee table layout where I run 2-4 locomotives around a couple of loops. The EZ Command works fine but I'd like to clean up the wires and try a wireless system.
Thanks-Tim
Engine LED Question
I just started installing my first Loksound decoder in one of my engines. The set up I'm using is a Loksound Select 21 pin decoder coupled with a TCS motherboard that includes a Keep Alive circuit. According to the instruction sheet that came with TCS motherboard, it says...
"For LED’s: This motherboard features onboard, 1K, current limiting resistors."
Arduino Programming Blog
Just wondering what happened to the Arduino programming blog, it seems to have disappeared?
TOMA Module DCC wiring completed and tested
I finished wiring my TOMA module today and it appears everything is working like expected, and that's a relief. My DCC system is comprised of a Digitrax Super Chief start set, a PS2012 20A Power Supply, a PR3 Xtra Programmer with its own PS14 power supply, 3 DS64 Stationary Programmers, and 2 UP5 panel modules. The module has 11 Tortoise switch machines, 1 double crossover, 6 turnouts and 1 wye.
I made up a video showing the finished wiring, operation of the front panel and a brief test run using a Walthers Proto SP SD9.
Why are my Darlingtons Failing?
A friend of mine is using a Picaxe microcontroller to trigger outputs from a ULN2803 Darlington driver chip that operates 6 relays switching higher loads. As I understand it the driver chip he's using has internal clamp diodes that should protect the transistors in the chip, but it seems like they are not holding up over time through repeated cycles of the relays. Does he need clamp diodes on the relays, which are at the end of a cable run from the drivers and microcontroller? Is the long run of wire back to the driver chip from the relay coil part of the problem?
MRC DCC
Are there any MRC DCC Experts out there?
I have started my new layout. My old one was an around the wall N scale layout in a 10x10 room.
My current layout is in an 18x8 room and is a double deck layout.
According to XTrkCAD. it has 206 feet of track, plus 43 Atlas #6 custom turn outs.The turnouts are powered by Hoffmann Switch Machines.
My current DCC system is the MRC Prodigy Express with a 15V 4A power supply. Including two hand held units and one extension plate.
Suggestions for noisy Athearn RTR SD45T-2
I have a bunch of of Athearn SD45's, SD40T-2's and SD45T-2. Of the ones I've run so far, most run "decent", even if a bit of hum, but it was inevitable as I pulled more and more out of the box to run, I'd hit a dud.
How to Choose a Sound Decoder
We have now seen the emergence of the third generation of sound decoders. We had the early soundtrax versions, the LC series, then the Tsunami came out, and that was a huge improvement, and now we have the new Tsunami2 and offerings from TCS, Loksound and others. In many ways we are spoiled for choice with high quality products available from several vendors. The problem facing us is how to choose which one to buy?
Terminal Blocks
Hi everyone,
I was looking for some product recommendations in regards to terminal blocks. This would be for 18-22 gauge solid copper wire connections (track feeders mainly). I am looking for an assortment of block sizes with two screw terminals. What do you use on your layout? I am wiring track with flexibility in the future and the ability to troubleshoot.
Thanks!
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