I have a dumb question. I just bought a Lionel 2037 on Ebay . can I install any kind of DCC in these old engines? I have been thinking about remote control options.
Hi Mike 81800!! Yes,I don’t know much, only you can go to TAS.COM for Train America Studios, or Digital Dynamics.com, then others will be along to help you out some more. You should be able to get it for almost any train & your system can go right in the tender. Hope this helps for now.
Thanks
I thought DCC as practiced in the smaller scales wasn’t quite the same as TMCC or DCS. Are the latter just two types of the former?
[^]Hi mike81800,I don’t think anyone that belongs to this forum would ever think that is a dumb question. I would like to add to your question,I often wondered about that also,including pre-war since that is what I have the most of. Regards
I could be wrong here, but I believe DCC is for DC only and most ‘O’ gauge is running on AC. Also if you do convert you engines and power supply to DC, the voltage – amperage is too high for DCC.
Your chooses for command control would then be TMCC or DCS. TMCC is much more cost effective to add to post war Lionel engines.
tom
As far as I know, and someone correct me if I’m wrong, there currently isn’t a DCC decoder intended for AC motors of the type found in Lionel.
Several years ago, there was a company pushing for DCC in O gauge, and even made several decoders for use in Lionel type engines. TMCC was already too well in place at the time, and the company folded.
I agree that your best bet would be a TMCC upgrade from www.digitdynam.com .
I think that the current is too high in this kind of locomotive, something like 3 o 4 amp, so may be the boar is not enough. I’m not sure but TMCC is for can mototr style.
gooo luck.
Andre.
I am sorry I came from HO. I think I meant TMCC. But I guess I am confused if I can use it in a post war train. I have just purchased a 2037. Of course I don’t want to ruin the engine. Has anyone made this transition. Thanks for all the responses.
If the electronics will fit in the necessary space…it will work.
Easter Easter Easter Easter Easter!!!
underworld
[:D][:D][:D][:D][:D]
For further information, there are DCC decoders available with the ability to handle the current required by Lionel type engins. Like all DCC decoders, they requir the motor be run on DC power. These have been used by O scale (2 rail) operators when they run lionel engins on their layouts. It’s a lot of work to convert the engin to 2 rail but it can be done.
TMCC…yes, that can be done.
Every TMCC board that I know of can handle at least 4 amps, which is sufficient for most single motored engines. Most can handle 8 amps, which amounts to two Pullmor motors, and some can even handle 15 amps.
Installing TMCC in a postwar engine will usually require removal of the whistle or horn, but once that’s done, you’ll have plenty of room. Sometimes there will even be room for Railsounds installation.
For general TMCC upgrades, I like to use www.digitdynam.com . For really tight spaces, Carl Tuveson of www.tuveson.com sells a compact 4 amp board. Finally, for operating cars, www.electricrr.com is the place to go.