Track and electrical/DCC
N-scale: Wire Peco turnouts for DCC - necessary?
I'm getting closer to start tracklaying on my freelanced N-scale PRR Catskill division layout in my basement. This is my third layout in N-scale, and I'm using Peco code 55 since the beginning. Afraid of doing anything wrong, I not only post this question, but also have been wiring all my turnouts for DCC from the beginning. Some of them will be reused now, but quite a few will have to be purchased.
Athearn sound loco notice
This is just a heads up. The issue might pop up. Just received the below message from Athearn about one particular factory sound loco. They use the Tsunami.
Rich
Dirty Wheels - Again!
There are a few posts going around on dirty track, and maybe wheels, and Ii have a question. I do a have a ceiling, my floor is sealed and my room is basically very clean. I think though that I have noticed that ever since I have changed to DCC it seems that there is more carbon build up on my locomotive wheels. The track as I have posted before is very clean, but whenever I do clean my loco wheels they are now genrally more blacker than before. And it seems to happen more frequently.
NCE and Zonemaster power problem
I have recently purchased a Dual Zonemaster and Zone share which I am trying to mate with my NCE 5 amp system. The NCE system covers 3 pwer blocks and the Zonemaster through the Zoneshare covers 4 more power blocks. The second Zonemaster power source is used for a reversing section.
Broadway Limited EMD SW7
I recently purchased an HO Broadway Limited EMD SW7. It is the non-sound version which has no Dcc decoder.
According to the owner's manual this product is equipped with an 8-receptacle with a mini board (shorting plug) that is removed for aftermarket DCC installation. I have a digitrax DH165LO decoder I have not opened that looks like it will work. Does anyone have experience with this decoder or BL? It says it fits Lifelike Locos with DCC medium plug arrangement.
Rivarossi Switcher 0 6 0
I would like to install a sound decoader in a Rivarossi 0 6 0 swtcher, I have purchased a N scale MRC sound decoader, first of all I would like to install in Engine, my first thought was to try and put in boiler area, and sacrafice a little weight, but may end up putting in tender, the tender is spacious. looking for some advice or redirection
Weathers ME rail Question
I accidently bought weathered ME cd 83 rail. I am using it to build turnouts using Fast Track jigs, but I normally use "non-weathered." Is this stuff OK to use? I have heard it is more difficult to solder to. Should i keep it? or should I send it back? Since I will be painting the track anyway, and I can use it, it does not really matter to me unless it is going to be hard to work with.
Thanks
Jim
Soundtraxx LC question
I am installing a Soundtraxx LC decoder - if you look around you can get these for under $50 now. My question is does the included resistor go on the brown wire or the green? Or does it even matter? I looked through the included material and the on line owners manual and can't find it listed anywhere.
Thanks
Steve
Boosters
I have no boosters on my layout yet. I am doing some major additions of track and was wandering how you determine if a booster is needed. I have the Prodigy MRC Wireless system. Thanks Larry
Short Circuit Management using 1156 car Tail lights
Hi,
I'm modelling Feather River Canyon around 1996. My layout fills to rooms in my basement and is of Linear design on two levels.
I watched the video by Joe Fugate discussing the use of 1156 Tail light bulbs for short circuit protection. I was interested that someone in the audiance at the clinic commented that you can wire the lights to frog as this was one of the most common places that short circuits arise due to Turnouts not being thrown.
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