I powered the dummy locomotive. I will also be replacing their DC circuit boards with the Digitrax SDH164D by hard wiring.
I just put a TGV LOK Sound decoder in my Acela Express set and its runing off live catenary. Its runs like a dream … Check this video out with the acela running at slow speed
Hi Steve,
Really like your video in your response to alloboard.
How does your Acela locomotive run at high speed with the LOK Sound decoder installed? Mine is really fast on DC rail but I’ve heard from some that adding a decoder slows it down. All my other Amtrak locos now have decoders and run fine on DCC but none were nearly as speedy on DC as the Acela.
Thanks,
hi Dave
Yes installing the Lok sound decoder slowed the acela down. The simple decoder I had in the Acela previously slowed it down too. I friend of mine has a simular setup on his Acela and he increased the voltage on his booster and that worked so far it hasnt fried the Decoder.
Just curious…
At approximately what scale speed does your decoder equipped Acela run? I imagine that for most home layouts it would be challenging to run Acela’s at prototype 120-150 mph speeds when taking curves into consideration.
well in most cases. you dont have enough room to operate the acela in a prototypical environment and protypical speeds. I figure the top speed of my Acela with the Loksound decoder is about 90mph. But im not really worried about the top speed im worried about the ability to keep constant speeds up inclines. Right now my acela has been struggling with some inclines with the Loksound decoder while other DCC equiped locos are not struggling but I have determined that I need a booster for an increase in voltage.