I have a Kato dc locomotive that I run using my Zephlyr DCC system. The instructions said the locomotive will make a little buzzing sound and it does. My question is, does this damage the locomotive in any way?
Jarrell
Its not supposed to hurt the unit, but I would not run it that way for long. I have a DCC system, but only run a non-decoder equipped loco totest it. I have noticed theunit runs a little warmer and if left on the layout may over heat. DCC supplies current ot the track continuously as opposed to a DC power pack that only supplies power when you open the throttle to make an engine move. Why take a chnce? You can get a 2 function decoder for around $15.00, a small price to pay to protect a $100.00 engine.
Jarrell, the answer is that you can run them on a DCC-powered circuit, but keep them moving. If you let them sit, you could burn out the motors…they’ll certainly get quite warm, and you run a risk of at least melting nicely detailed covers.
Many people can’t abide by the noise, but if you can, then play away!
I agree, and would not let DC engines sit on a DCC track, unless they are just yard art, and on an unpowered branch. The motor is set up for DC current. DCC systems use AC current, and there is a rectifier built into the decoder card which converts the AC to DC for the motor.
I didn’t think it was a wise idea to let it sit there. I only run it now and then, and even then I don’t let it sit.
As far as the decoder goes, how do I know which one to buy? I hope it’s not a trial and error thing.
Jarrell
I have burned out a couple of motors in a Spectrum 44 tonner by running it on DCC without a decoder. I was just testing it to see how it ran, and it didn’t take very long for it to happen. This was the 44 ton with the two motors. They are really small motors.
Question: Has anyone put a decoder in one of these things? What decoder did you use? I have 4 of these locos and I tried to put a decoder in one but could not get the shell back on. It ran nice without the shell. It now has a dummy plug in place of the decoder and I only run it on DC.
I call Tony’s Trains. They install decoders on all makes of engines and know exactly which one will fit in just about every engine. They’ll even let you know if there are problems with at particular engine.
Jarrell,
If you intend to keep it or another non-DCC locomotive on the layout, wire a siding or yard track somewhere through a toggle switch so you can shut off power to that track. That will prevent the locomotive from growling at you while it sits there. There should be no real problem running it on a DCC layout, but having it sit there “idling” will eventually damage the motor, as everyone else has said.
Everyone’s right, it won’t hurt it but do NOT leave it sit not moving for extended periods of time. The slower the motor turns, the more heat builds up.
As for decoder selection, most decoder manufacturers have conversion charts, as do some of the other DCC sites like Wiring for DCC. Digitrax has a very extensive list on their site - and if you don’t want to use a Digitrax decoder ou can see the type of decoder and get an similar one from someone else. I actually don’t have many Digitrax decoders even though I run a Digitrax system, the most common decoders in my system are TCS and NCE. For a Kato, it is going to depend on the age - the newer ones have an 8 pin plug, older ones are easiest to do with a conversion board (most of which can work with the old single headlight in the center OR allow you to connect two independent lights for the front and rear. Which model Kato is it, I can give you some ideas.
–Randy
See: http://www.tonystrains.com/technews/dz121_in_bachm.htm
The DZ121 has been replaced by the DZ123. Alternates include TCS M1 and Lenz Gold Mini W.
i have an atlas gp7 that i use to switch my yard with. i left it on a powered track without moving it and it got so warm that the armature in the motor wouldn’t turn when i wanted to move it again. i put it on a track with the power off and when it cooled down the engine was able to move under its own power. my cat is attracted to the sound that the locos without decoders make so i’m going to have to install decoders in all of them eventually.
Although I personally doubt the real reason for this happening, a friend of mine swears up and down that he had a non-decoder locomotive motor become demagnetized and inoperable because he left it on a siding while running his layout on DCC.
I think the motor was defective to begin with, and leaving it on the siding probably did no more than cause it to overheat to the point that it finally failed.
I’ve run LOTS of different Locomotives without decoders on DCC layouts with no problems what so ever. I looked at Digitrax’s manual and they say you can do it. I agree with not letting it sit, they will build up a little heat but you should not have any problems.
I have a couple of small switchers and an old diesel from when I was a kid (I’m 43 now) that I use on my DCC layout without decoders. They run fine, buzzing along, but like everyone else has stated, don’t leave them sit. I only run mine once in a while and remove them when I’m done, so I’m not too worried. So far, no problems!