I have 4 of the BOWSER steam engines and would like to know if anyone has ever converted these products to DCC. 2 of the engines are USRA mountains, 1 northern, and 1 2-8-0. These engines are about 16 years old, with very little run time. How much will it cost, and is it worth the trouble? I dismantled my layout about 6 months after purchasing them, due to relocation.
What is the best value in DCC systems among MRC, NCE, DIGITRAX etc., as far as cost, quality, setup, Support,and adding on, are concerned.
postscript: my computer has been acting up and some of my earlier post have lost my name,ie: broadway limited products and quality engines.
Any advise on would be appreciated.
They are pretty easy to do, once you put can motors in them. The original open frame motors have got to go . Lots of room in the tender for a decoder, even sound![:D]
Not necessary. The new open frame motors that come with the kits have both brushes isolated from the frame. This is the main issue with conversion of the older style motors to DCC operation. I’d have to look at one of the older type to see if they’re easy to isolate.
I just got a motor like this with my Challenger kit. Just run the wires to the decoder.
Visit:
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/dcc/dcc.htm
Bowser outlines your choices very well. If you do NOT want sound, I would suggest that you just get the replacement brush plate from Bowser ($1.00 each) and go with one of the Lenz Gold JST-WH current limiting decoders.
For a bit more total $$, trade in your old motors for the new skew would replacements, and then any 1.5 amp decoder should not have anyproblem.
For yet more total $$$, get the Alliance repower kits, and any 1 amp decoder will do fine.
http://www.bowser-trains.com/hoother/alliance/alliance.htm
DCC Systems - go with what is used in your area. Digitrax, NCE and Lenz are the three best for expandibility. MRC is rather limited.