Track and electrical/DCC
Continuity Readings on Multimeter
Hi all,
I'm rewiring my layout and have unhooked all my 18g feeders from my 12g bus line which is connected to my power supply which is off. Continuity readings confirm that there are no shorts on the track.
I connect the first track to the bus and check continuity. No beep, but when I reverse the probes on the rails I get a beep. I've been playing with this all weekend and it's got me baffled.
DCC Installation Tip for easy troubleshooting...........
I recently installed DCC sound in an O scale NWSL 2-8-2T "Minaret" * which I had previously made modifications to the driveline as well as doing a complete paint job. As I was doing the mods and paint I frequently checked the running characteristics by connecting leads to the motor with DC. When I do any DCC install I always put plugs on the motor and track power leads alternating male and female plugs. This way if I have any issues such as a short, I can unplug the decoder and convert the motor back to DC by plugging the red/black power pickup wires to the orang
Help with a DSX sound only decoder.
I have a Soundtraxx DSX decoder for a Pennsylvania K-4 that I am installing in the tender. This is a sound decoder only. I was under the impression that the auto-exhaust could be set with out using a cam. Can this be done or do I need to install a cam.
Installation Digitrax Sound decoder SDN144AO
In Atlas GP40-2. Seems as though this is reasonably straight forward. Never tried this before. Should I give the job to a decoder installer [they are many miles from me] Thoughts? Thanks. Tom
Easement from straight to curved track
I'm presently planning and starting to build my next layout. I have heard of and read about the Easement transition going from a straight track to a radius track. My question is what is a good basic radius to use for the Easement? For example, if I'm using a 36" radius would I double the radius to 72"? Would I triple it to 108"? And so on. Any information on this subject would be appreciated.
Thank you
Scott
Any pointers on replacing a Paragon 2 decoder?
As the title says.
I have a Broadway limited Y6b where the decoder malfunctions.
It loses connection with the DCC and has a strange short.
When measured, I got an open circuit from the tender pickups to both sides of the drive wheels simultaneously....
I was thinking of ripping it out and replace it with a Econami 200 steam decoder.
Anyone has a schematic to show where the wires from the loco plug goes?
And, is it possible to connect the smoke system to it?
Any tips are greatly appreciated!
Michael
Programming a BLI 2-8-0
Greetings all,
I've already asked this question on the BLI Yahoo list several days ago and got no response.
I want to program a 'short' whistle(F3) for my 2-8-0, but don't know if the decoder even has that ability. I am using JMRI and can change the function mapping with no problem, but no luck so far on finding a short whistle.
Has anyone done this or know if it even can be done?
Thanks in advance,
Tim
Experiments with DCC++
DCC++ is an exciting and useful development that I hope catches on with more users.
A while ago Dave Bodnar posted that he had experimented with DCC++ and showed his development of a high power boosted based on an Arduino and a motor shield. This interested me and I investigated and spoke with Dave about this booster.
Are the recommended maximum bus lengths based on a current load assumption?
I'm planning to wire up my 26'x13' layout using the arrangement of the command station dcc output only being attached to boosters / Tam Valley 5A breakers that Bruce Petrarca frequently depicts in his column. Thus the command station's DCC output never drives the track or anything that draws very much current; only the boosters do. This command bus would be approximately a linear 90' long.
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