Track and electrical/DCC

Walthers Layout Control Switch Motor

I am looking to use the Walthers Layout Control System to operate my turnouts. I am using some PECO Electrofrogs. I will  be using a DCC system, First NCE during construction and then a Digikeijs DR5000. The switch motors will be operated from the systems facia controls and from a DCC throttle as well. I understand I need to massage the turnouts a bit to make them work. My problem lies in how to power the frogs from the Walthers Switch motor from the aux 5a switches. However I  may be wrong in this. I have checked the instructions and online with no luck.

What LEDs for HO Steam Loco Headlight??

I want to replace a few incandescent bulbs in my old, HO formerly-DC locomotives.  What size LEDs usually fit in these locos, and what "color" LEDs look the most realistic for the 1920s?

Thanks

kirkifer's picture

Loconet cable tester has dim light mt-7051n tool

Gang, 

I was making some Loconet connections and started experiencing a rather dim light on my tester for the 6th conductor on a 6P6C loconet cable. I have never seen this before and initially, I thought it was a poorly press fit cable. That does not appear to be the case.  I have plugged in commercially made Cat5 cable as well as telephone cable (both RJ45 and RJ11 plugs). I still get a dim, sometimes almost non-lit LED on the 6th conductor. 

Need help to wire LED's to RailCrew switch machine

I would like to use the RailCrew switch machines on my layout because of clearance issues under the layout. They use an (On) Off (On) momentary switch to operate. My knowledge of how to wire is limited. The attached diagram shows their wiring schematic with what looks to be a common or negative wire and two positive wires going to LED lights. I can't find an example anywhere on the Web as to how to wire. A picture or drawing off where each wire would go would be a really big help. I'll will be using 2 LED's to indicate direction and both have resistors attached already.

High or Mega bass speakers worth it?

Need a new speaker for my Bachmann HO 2-8-0.  I have a TCS WOW steam decoder installed.  Am considering one of the High or Mega bass speakers.  Is the sound significantly better than the standard speaker?

 

Thanks

Jim

NCE Power Cab Installation Issue

I have watched the videos. My 6 wire flat cable is hooked into the left port on the Power Panel. Adapter is plugged in to the back. Before doing this, I did check that there was the proper voltage coming out of the plug that goes into the Power Panel so the adapter is working fine. Little black plug for the wires to go to the bus line only goes into Power panel one way. I have attached two wires that are 18AWG tinned copper stranded wire.

Options for holding down track?

Right now I have my track held to cork track bed with short pins through the center holes. This doesn't work well as they go right into the center where the two pieces of track bed come together which doesn't hold it well and even where I have it offset a bit they still don't hold down well. I see that some people use longer pins (which on my setup would go into either foam or wood depending on the area of the track) or caulking or other adhesives.

Wiring Tortoise switch machines.

Hello!
I was asked by a close friend to install and wire two Tortoise switch machines to operate a crossover in his layout, but I am not familiar with the wiring of those switch machines for that purpose.

To set both turnouts for their respective normal routes (i.e., to run trains parallel) or when set for a train to cross over from one track to the other, the Tortoises are supposed to be operated (manually) with a two-position toggle switch so both turnouts take their respective position with a single control. Power source is 12VDC.

8 pin vs 9 pin DCC plug

I have a Bachmann Shay I purchased about 15 Years ago....it has a 8 pin DCC socket. My problem is that I have a decoder with a 9 pin plug. So my question is can the 9 pin decoder be used with the 8 pin plug by soldering the wires to the 8 pin plug? If so which wire color would go to each spot on the socket? I should elaborate that the 9 pin decoder has a plug with wires attached for soldering  

Mystery Grain of Wheat Bulbs - How to find out the Voltage

I have some Grain of Wheat bulbs and I have no idea what voltage they're rated for.  Apart from hooking them to a power pack and increasing the voltage until they pop, how might I go about finding out their voltage limit?

Thanks,

Galen


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