DCC in original Spectrum 44 tonner

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

I apologize if this question has been asked before…

I have a pair of the first 44 tonners that were released under the spectrum line in the very early 90’s. My understanding is that these locos require a lot of work to get DCC installed due to their use of two motors. My thought (spacing permitted) was to possibly use two decoders, one for each motor? I figure I could mount the decoders in the cab and just use a basic one such as the Digitrax DH123. Thoughts? Is it worth the time to convert these? They are the last of my diesel fleet that I need to convert.

Thanks!

Jason

2

I used a single DH163 series decoder to control both motors. It has more than enough current capacity(The DH123 series just does not have the super motor control). The big issue is jamming a decoder in there, but it can be done…

Jim

3

I cannabalized one of these for my 40 ton Steeple Cab, and I have to say it’s not very hard at all to get these to be DCC friendly. The trick is to link the contacts on either side of the engine together and give the trucks enough room swivel.

4

I have installed Lenz LE077FX dime-sized decoders into two of the original Bachmann Spectrum 44-tonners with dual motors and have had no problem with one decoder being able to handle the current load of the dual motors, but finding room for even that small a decoder required removal of a crew member.

The Lenz decoder now has a different type number. A TCS M-1 is about the same size.

5

I remember MR had an article on that inatallation a few years ago. Seems the biggest problem was isolating the motor from the chassis. If you email me I’ll try to find the article. jerry

6

We used the Digitrax DZ143 decoder in out 2 motor units.

They ran real slow which was great for switching.

The only problem we had was that one of the motors would always burn out, probably from running them too long at a time!

The newer single motor units are a lot better motor wise and the bodies interchange easily.

BOB H - Clarion, PA

7

The problem with that is that the single motors don’t kit bash well into the Cannonball Car Shop’s 40 tonner

8

Trynnallen

Yes this is true, I was just throwing this out to those that may get fed up with the little 2 motor units gutting the motors.

We did and have had no trouble with the single motor units. We just wanted to keep the custom painted bodies we had and not have to do another, so we tried the body swap thing!

BOB H - Clarion, PA

9

Has anyone tried using a single motor from the old 44 tonner for the Cannonball steeplecab kit, rather than two? Obviously you’d lose some pulling power, but the main cause of motor burnout is generally the fact that one motor doesn’t turn at quite the same rate as the other. I have a couple of the old 44 tonners, some with burnt out motors, and have been stripping out the broken motors and holding onto the rest of the truck for traction projects. I also retained the wiring from the truck, so a “single motor” steeplecab kit would still have all-wheel pickup, although with power from only one truck.