Sorry if my post seems corny, but it’s a nice feeling that I just wanted to share with people that would understand. I finally have a locomotive running on DCC.
It’s a P2K ACL E8 in the black & yellow “Bumble Bee” scheme. At the Suncoast Model Railroader’s club my friend, CMarchand, showed me how quickly a Digitrax 163L “plug n’ play” decoder for Life Like units drops right on in and she’s ready to go! (We did a stall current test a few days earlier = less than 1 amp )
I got the 163 since I want to use the cool features that it allows (Mars/Gyra, back up lights, etc. From what he explained, you also get better performance since back emf is included with the higher end Digitrax decoders.
After he showed me how to program the decoder on a seperate programming track, her first “Test Assignmment” was to pull a dummy B unit with 7 Walther’s Budd cars. She got an A+. Operation was smooth and flawless. I discovered that, even without programming for momentum, the starting, stopping, and crawling performance was a huge improvement compared to when in DC mode. (I see the advantages of having a constant 12 volts present on the rails).
I want sound, but I’m waiting for the Digitrax sound decoder to arrive at my LHS.
I’m looking forward to installing a decoder myself on another unit soon. I know it’s a piece of cake for many of you, but I was always intimidated by electronics.
Three years ago I wanted nothing to do with DCC. Guys, after reading about it and and seeing in action for myself I have no doubt that DCC is for me!
Your experience is very similar to mine. Once you’ve tried DCC it’s hard to imagine going back to the old fashioned way. DCC layouts are probably still in the minority but that will change soon I’m sure. I’ll predict that in 10 years, DC will have gone the way of vinyl records. There will probably be some hold outs, but DCC will be the hobby standard.
Man, you really want to see me break into sweat! [:P] That’s more of a challenge, you’ve reminded me that I will have to tackle that eventually. I have several Athearn FP45s, 2 U-Boats, and an older Stewart F7 that will be getting DCC with full lighting effects and sound. The Athearns mentioned, however, will be re-motored.
From what I’ve seen on my friend’s home layout, Digitrax and Soundtraxx DSX decoders seem to work exceptionally well with Mashima motor equipped locomotives. Amp draw being very low.
Just make sure on those ‘older’ locos, that the motor terminals are electrically isolated from the track pickups. A wise investment may be a simple VOM (Volt Ohm Meter) so you can check these things during your installs…
Glad to hear of your success. I especially like to do things I learn from and you will learn a great deal from DCC. Remember there is a tremendous amount of help out there - all the DCC company sites, Yahoo groups and DCC boards like at Trains and Atlas. Most of my time on the boards is spent checking up on DCC.
Wait 'till you’ve got 3 of them, so you can consist 2 and have the third running in the opposite direction on the same track. Hopefully, you can resist the Gomez urge. [:D]
Congratulations, Antonio. It is a whole nuther world, isn’t it? And when you get the next one, you can make them touch do whatever you want…independently!
Once you start, you’ll find it hard to stop. I’ve done 5 conversions so far, 4 of which are sound, 1 is Lenz Gold + Soundtraxx DSX. And it keeps getting easier each time I do it.
Hi Antonio, I have not been on the forum much this last few months and have just started to look in again. This is great news and the start of some exciting times for you. When you are ready to install a non plug and play, have a look at the TCS line of decoders. They are great value, offer all the effects you need and, most importantly, offer a goof proof warranty. You fry it, they replace it! They stand by it as well as I fried a perfectly good M1 decoder by not putting in some resistors that were needed for a lighting installation!
I did go to a reputable electronics supply house and bought a very nice Volt-Amp-Ohm meter for $17. My friend showed me how to perform the stall current test. Also appreciate the reminder about insulating the motor. [;)]
Simon, where ya been?! Glad to see you posting again. Interesting you mentioned TCS. I’ve also heard very good thing about TCS which does not seem to get the publicity that Digitrax and Lenz get. The dither is a cool feature.
Digital Griffin, would you mind listing the locomotives that you converted?