Track and electrical/DCC
Easy Ground Throw Installation
The Caboose Industries ground throw for turnouts has been around a long time and is ubiquitous in the hobby. I have used them for many years but have always been a little frustrated with my installation method.
I had two problems. First, the hole in the ground throw for the throw rod link was sized for 0.025" wire but the hole in my Atlas turnouts was 3/64" (0.047"). So I used small wire to match the ground throw hole and there was slop in the action as the wire flopped around in the turnout hole.
Homemade fuses
In one of the videos from MRH, the presenter spoke of short protection. I can't find the video now. There was a standard automotive bulb that worked beautifully. He also gave a few alternative bulbs for unusual amperage. And apparently there was a board mount socket one could also get. Does anyone know the name and location of that video, or at least the technical information?
Thanks- Walter Philaret
Fixing Atlas Code 83 Turnouts
I have quite a few Atlas code 83 #4 turnouts on my layout, all purchased in the last year. All of them have a slight kink or curve between the points and frog. The same turnouts bought a few years ago for a previous layout did not have this problem or I never noticed it.
I see no obvious way to fix this. I tried flexing the turnout to align it but nothing helped. Has anyone else seen this problem and fixed it?
E-Z Commander turnouts
Does anyone have any experience with the Bachman E-Z Commander turnouts with built in switch motors and DCC controllers?
which dcc unit to use
Hi , I'm wanting to convert my layout to dcc. The locomotives I have , well 3 of them , are made by 'Mantua' 'Metal Train', and whereas they are dcc ready , in that they have an 8 pin connector and wiring harness fitted , the connector is an 8 pin 'inline' arrangement . I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction regarding what brand of dcc decoder to purchase , and especially if the decoder comes with a suitable adaptor for the inline plug.
Model Train Show JMRI Clinic
Since this comes under DCC I will post this here. It is a hot topic and there will be a couple clinics at the West Springfield, MA show Jan 29th and 30th. The link to the clinic info is below. I initialilly found the info by Ken Cameron in a couple Yahoo DCC Groups.
There will alo be clinics on different DCC systems.
www.railroadhobbyshow.com/whoswho.asp#2009WW
Make sure to keep checking the site for updates. This is a huge show. Print out the building layouts and vendor list.
Rich
DCC uncouplers?
This may be a dumb question:
Are there couplers out there that can be uncoupled with DCC?
Thanks,
-Al
P.S. The reason I'm asking all this is that it seems to me there has to be a better way than skewers or magnets to uncouple cars in ops sessions. DCC seems like a good solution.
Digitrax Jump Port Technology
Does anybody out there know about this and just how does it work? My understanding is that it can work
with any dc throttle. Does anybody use this type of set up and how well doest work? Is this dated a little bit.
ron netti
Running slower than expected.
I'm perplexed and have explored all angles and I can't figure it out. My locos have no zip. They run slow.
I have a Lenz LZV100 DCC system on a 7x11 point to point. I have no more than 30' of track. I bought a mulitmeter, and if I'm using it right, I get the same voltage across the layout (about 20). I even took the shell off a loco and measured the same voltage at the pick up wires. So, I'm satisfied my track is getting enough power. Track is clean, wheels are clean. This problem exists with all my motive power regardless of make, model or decoder.
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