Track and electrical/DCC

To solder or not to solder a retrofit decoder

Mon, 2020-09-07 15:41 — Plachan1

So the question I have for the community is “ should you or should you not” solder all the connection wires (track, motor, lighting) to a replacement decoder for your loco’s?

Paul

railandsail's picture

Power Districts & Safety Curcuit Breakers

Fri, 2020-09-04 10:05 — railandsail

I have a wireless NCE system I intend to install on my double deck HO layout. I don't imagine I will be running any more than 4-5 trains at anyone time, and likely it will only be 2 most of the time. There will likely be some double-headers, or even some push-pull.

With a 5amp power supply most recommended by NCE I don't think I will need additional boosters?

Push button for servos

Fri, 2020-09-04 04:32 — paxton1958

I have found info for controlling turnouts with servos but no schematics for using push button switches for throwing the turnouts.  Am I missing something?  Any help would be appreciated.

Bridge Rectifiers

Thu, 2020-09-03 03:25 — Plachan1

Hi

Someone suggested to me that instead of using Resistors and diode and Zener diodes in constructing a keep alive I use a bridge rectifier attached to the Super Capacitors.

Any body want to weigh-in on this idea?

Paul

How does a DC controller work?

Wed, 2020-09-02 09:12 — Kiel814

Hi, I'm new to model trains. I've recently aquired a DC locomotive and some tracks but I´m missing a way to control it.

I want to spend as little as possible because eventually I will make the jump to DCC, so this is only temporal equipment, so I am considering buiding the transformer/controller myself. I have plenty of experience in electronics and electricity.

What I want to know is how does a DC train controller work:

Is it just a variable voltage power source from -12 to +12, or is it something like PWM?

Stay / Keep Ailve

Tue, 2020-09-01 15:48 — Plachan1

I built the DIY June 2020 MRH Stay Alive. It does work and I'm not sure why or how to fix it. I've attached 3 pics.

1st one is the bill of material from Mouser.

2nd and 3rd pics are of the final product with a Soundtraxx 2 pin harness. The Stay Alive is attached to a Sountraxx TSU-PNP.

There is no run on motor,lights or sound?

Any suggestions or questions I can respond to.

bobmorning's picture

TCS UWT-100 Firmware 2.0 update

Mon, 2020-08-31 08:27 — bobmorning

TCS announced a firmware update the other day.   The UWT-100 was updated this morning using the Windows TCS Depot software.

No issues with the update.   Enabled dual throttle mode and was easily able to control two at once, similar to the original Digitrax DT-400 throttle (which never gets used unless there are WiThrottle issues).

ESU Loksound Mother Board Options

Thu, 2020-08-27 07:29 — RichardStern

I have a brass doodlebug that needs a decoder.  I was figuring on an ESU #58429 with sound loaded for EMD 6-567A Non-Turbo.  I want to get a keep alive and will need a 21-pin mother board.  Several things have been suggested to me and I need some guidance:

Decoders

Thu, 2020-08-27 05:18 — Plachan1

Hello

Does anyone have experience with adding a Stay Alive to a Digitrax decoder DH165A0 that has a SFX006 Sound Bug attached? If yes please tell me where the blue and black wires are soldered to?

Thanks

Paul

Stay / Keep Alive

Wed, 2020-08-26 11:21 — Plachan1

Hello Fellow model railroaders.


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