Track and electrical/DCC
A Solution to a Problem Mk2 : Elephant Tracks
Dear MRH team,
Looking for a DCC-based Solution to the following Problem...
- a larger layout, club-based, that is regularly used for public shows.
- already DCC-operated (NCE, with primary radio/fallback tethered throttle buss, if that matters)
- there is a double-ended staging yard at the rear, feeding both ends of the "modelled scene"/mainline
- there are 5 "parallel tracks" in the yard
Shinohara 3-Way
Any advice on wiring and prepping a code 70 Shinohara 3-way switch for DCC use? A wiring diagram/instructions would be particularly appreciated.
What's on your workbench?
I'm busy with turnout building.
For my new Pueblo & Salt Lake RR I need quite a few turnouts, more than 50 for the finished layout. My dual gauge staging yard is a loop, therefore I need a transition track.
Here's a code 70 #6 turnout with adjacent transition track.
turnout frogs
i have walther, and tilig turnouts on my layout,( the tiligs where bought yrs ago when i was told that they were the answer for dcc). they both have problems with wheels dropping into the gap on the frog.,even thought the frogs have a" base " in them. i have been reading joe's articles about fast tracts and his hand built turnouts. i have also read many other articles about hand laying turnouts and to the best of my memory all of the others discuss "filling" the frog to create a base for the flange to roll on as it goes thought the frog.
Bluepoint Switches
I did a basic search of MRH looking for a review or installation article on Bluepoint switches and came up empty.
I have a shelf layout and these look ideal for manual control if the switches are toward the back of the shelf. I currently use Caboose Industries ground throws near the front edge.
Great November issue!
Frank
Fixing a DCC loco short?
We got the following email today that's a desperate call for help ... anyone got any ideas?
I have a fault/short in a dcc locomotive, power to loco for lights and sound
OK, have tested motor runs perfectly, but no power to motor. It has blown 2
decoders that I am aware of. Could you please help with this as I am not that
ofay with method of testing or locating a "short"Mick Sheedy
Sound file and Digitrax decoder
Me again with another question!
I have 3 Digitrax SDH164D decoders at home. I know you can download sound file to modify the default ones. I was wondering if you have to use the Digitrax PR2 or PR3 to do so? Or is it possible to do it with Decoder pro or a similar free program?
I'm asking because at the price of the PR3, I can get a pretty good sound decoder, altho I don't mind getting it if I have too.
Thanks in advance,
Any problems with the new 3.5 amp Zephyrs and Digitrax reversing devices (PM-42 or AR-1)?
I was happy with my old Zephyr (2.5 amp) until I tried to connect it to Digitrax's reversing units- they just would not work for me. Many emails to Digitrax tech folks produced a number of fixes but nothing got either the PM-42 or later an AR-1 to function. I am about to send my old Zephyr off to Digitrax so they can replace its main board for $35. I am not 100% sure this will correct the problems (nor how long I'll not be able to run some trains) and have considered upgrading to the new Zephyr. I asked Digitrax if there were any problems between
Any clever and cheap turntable controls out there?
Finding myself in possession of a scratch built turntable (well, the guts of one - I still have to build the decorative parts), I need to make it turn. I've got some ideas for gears, etc, but that still leaves open the question of motive power. I could turn the thing by hand, of course, but I'd rather not have to finger my models too much. I could run a shaft out to the fascia and use a hand crank, but I'm not sure how that will look or feel to operate.
Speaker question 32 ohm vs 8 ohm
Good morning,
I did an install in an Athearn F59PHI of a Digitrax SDH164D. The original speaker was a 32 ohm but I had to change it for a smaller speaker and chose a rectangular, 8 ohm speaker from Soundtraxx that I built a custom enclosure for it.
Now that it is installed and that I received my NCE PowerCab (yeah for me!), I found that the sound is really loud and distorted! Now, when I compare it to my Athearn GP35 with the same decoder but with the original 32 ohm speaker with custom enclosure, the sound in this one is just perfect!
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