Different Speeds for Same Loco?

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello:

Just a quick question here. I have 2 ES44AC’s from Fox Valley. They both run fine, but one is faster than the other. I can’t figure it out. I also have multiple Kato Gevo’s, and the same thing. I guess what I’m asking is, if this is normal. Also, is it bad to run them together?

Thank you,

Mike

2

Are these DCC equiped?

3

Oh, sorry, I guess I should have said that. None of these are DCC yet, but I am in the process of converting. So all are running on DC, so all the same power.

mj

4

Once you get the DCC equiped then you can speed match them to where they are fairly close in speed. I have most of locos speed matched but I have a couple that are off a little bit at different throttle settings but once you are pulling a string of cars it will be ok. You just dont want the speed difference to be too dramatic when you run them together.

5

How much difference are you talking? They only have to be close to consist. If they are pretty close then put the fastest loco up front.

6

With different tolerances in the gears and motors it is hard to say where the differences are. So you may get different speeds from the same manufacture even with the same model of locomotive, even when you apply the same voltage to them.

But with DCC you should be able to set some CV’s and speed match them OK. That is one of the nice things about DCC.

7

Hey

One other thing, they may come together after you run them for a while to break them in. [:^)]

Have fun.

Lee

8

Thanks a lot everyone. Just wanted to make sure they were ok. One last thing, how long to break in loco’s?

9

After you run at medium speed a half hour in each direction you’re usually ok. Don’t forget to oil moving parts.

10

In my experience Atlas engines of the same type seem to be pretty close to each other speedwise. Other brands can be very different. But as noted by others, once you convert fully to DCC you can speed match them so they run perfectly together.

11

Thanks everyone for all the help. I went out today and got two decoders for my Fox Valley AC44’s. I went with the Digitrax DZ125IN. My new question is, what decoders are better?

I could have gone with the Train Control Systems EUN651 decoders. What are your thoughts on the quality & differences. Also, I have to get decoders for my Kato Gevo’s soon & there are 2 for that one also.

Digitrax DN163K1B or Train Control Systems K1D4.

Any thoughts?

Thanks a bunch.

12

Personally I use SoundTraxx/Tsunami’s…not a fan of “D” or “TCS”. My 2nd choice would be QSI.

13

Not everyone wants sound in everything.

–Randy

14

Right, all I’m saying is that those were the only 2 choices for the type of loco I have. I was just wondering what the differences were & if one was better than the other.

mj

15

Better is a matter of opinion. Both Digitrax and TCS produce quallity decoders. The features will be similar with minor differences which youi will need to read the manuals for.

You can’t go wrong with either one IMO.

Peter

16

TCS does much better when using LEDs for other than just on/off lights - link blinking strobes or ditch lights. TCS also has better BEMF that can be set to turn off above a certain speed.

In in HO, but the TCS N scale decoders are the same, only smaller. Everythign I have that’s not sound has a TCS decoder. I use a Digtrax system, but I prefer other decoders.

–Randy