I have an old HO scale Kato passenger car that I am trying to make DCC compatible. Unfortunately it is powered by a pair of truck motors. I think I can isolate the motor from power feed (the connection is a copper spring. But I have a question about how to wire the decoders.
Is it better to have:
(A) 2 separate decoders (one powering each truck motor) both set to the same address
-or-
(B) wire the two trucks in parallel to a single decoder
I am worried about having slightly different speeds and having “truck fighting” with case A. With case B , I am worried about the current draw of having two motors in parallel.
I am curious to the experience anyone has with making truck motors DCC complaint and how they implemented it. Thanks in advance for all input.
Not sure if this is much help, but of the few twin-motor installations I’ve seen (mostly in G scale) they tend to use twin decoders (on LGB factory-fitted locos anyway). This might be due to the higher current draw on these larger locos but I suspect that having twin decoders will also allow you to “tweak” the speed curves so that both start turning at the same time and run at the same speed (no two motors behave in exactly the same way in my experience). Hope this is of help!
P.S. I’ve seen an article on converting a Tenshodo SPUD to DCC - not sure if the Kato power trucks are a similar design. They cut away the part of the pickup strips that took power to the motor, then soldered wires directly to the pickups for a power feed and used the little “tags” on top of the unit to power the motor (usually intended for connecting extra pickups).
Go with a single decoder, with over current protection circuitry like some of the new Lenz decoders, wire the motors in parallel. Do a good job with your multimeter to make sure that you do not have any shorting - swinging both trucks slowly through thier whole travel in all axis. Program on the programming track, making sure you resolve any faults that come up BEFORE placing it on the layout.
I’m still a bit frustrated as to finding a solution for my Bachmann Metroliners.
My 4 car HO set will soon be finished in being metalized and detailed. However the lead car has that annoying, cheesy performing truck motor. You know…the type that when you throttle up it’s noisier than an Athearn BB loco and jerks around the track like “Ja-Ja Binks” (from Star Wars) going for a walk… His head moves like a duck’s on steroids.
I’ve read before that motors perform much better under DCC, but I would rather replace this Bachmann unit’s powered truck with a quality truck motor. Problem is I can’t find one that fits.
The P2K RDC and Walthers Doodlebug truck motor’s wheelbases are too short in length. (Prototype Metroliner had a 9 foot wheel base).
The PDT truck is available in the right length, however it comes geared for a switcher, not a high speed passenger MU train. I’d like to be able to run at 75 scale mph.
I’d like to have this set runs as good as it will look once I’m finished with them. (Yes, they will be in Penn Central, though one car will have the Pennsylvania heralds).
I’ve done a few Bachman 44 tonners with twin motors and 1 decoder…[V]
Even so,motors fight each other,MU’ing the 2 together was more like a WWF cage match than a train!!! Wound up selling them both.
Whenever possible, I’d axe the truck motors and find some trucks that will work that can be powered by a can motor and flywheel(s).[^]
I agree on rebuilding it, it’s the right way. Here’s a link to a how to on building a brass frame and such for a hood locomotive, but it would be the same priciple for your unit. Fred
You may have helped solved my problem, at least partially.
I looked at the photo link you provided where a modeler is building a frame from brass. In looking at the photo, It then hit me that perhaps a 2 axle diesel locomotive truck may actually work for my Metroliner. I had been thinking in “passenger car” mode instead of locomotive pulling power.
I went home for lunch, took my old Roco Atlas GP40 and held it against the Metroliner chassis ( bottom to bottom, truck to truck. Touchdown Tampa Bay! [8D] The Atlas truck was virtually the same length, just a hair longer by a millimeter or two. Far closer than the P2K RDC. [:D][8D]
So now I have a starting point. Next would be a motor with the proper driveshaft setup for an 85 ft. long car. [:p]
Thanks, good idea. I’ll check out their website as well as Proto Power West more thorougly.
So basically what I’m looking for is a motor / flywheel / driveshaft setup that will connect with a pair of Atlas or Athearn trucks on a passenger car chassis. [8D]
Sounds far fetched, yet good to know that it’s possible.[;)]
About repowering your Metroliner - if you want underfloor trucks, like the PDT, or a single motor truck of good quality then you should look at these two websites for such trucks built in Australia (where they have to be creative powering things because they have such a small market and lots of unique prototypes). Note especially that both of these are customisable as to wheelbase and wheel size…
Driveshafts can be easily lengthened with some K&S tube and JB Weld. Cut the shafts, insert them into the tube with JB to secure them. Instant 6 inch shafts, Well, make that 2 hours, the JB needs to cure. Fred
The Black Beetle has a good reputation here - they do tend to need a decent amount of weight on them but one should handle a 2-car unit so long as the other wheelsets are free-rolling. You can also buy a dummy version to add extra pickups which is well worth the money.
The one thing I’m not sure about is their gearing. I realise you want the Metroliners to have a realistic top speed, but the majority of models I’ve seen with Beetles have been of units with a top speed of around 70-80mph, a tad lower than a Metroliner. The low-speed control is reportedly excellent though. Hope this is of use!
Look carefully and you’ll see where the Pennsy “Keystone” herald was removed. Penn Central put their logo underneath the engineer’s window.
Matt, guys…Thanks for your input! [:)][:D][8D] You’ve given me some viable options to check out. I had been pondering for the past 1 1/2 years about repowering.
Though the prototype Metroliners hit 100+ mph on the northeast corridor, that speed would look unrealistic even on a club layout. I would be happy with a scale top speed of 75 mph.
My intentions:
One car will be powered. Three dummies.
Will run on DCC.
All cars will have interior lighting.
Triple light set on the front: Two outers Headlights, center will be Gyra Light.
Paint scheme: One in Pennsy, Three in Penn Central.
( I felt one should be in Pennsy since, as Paul pointed out before, it was Pennsy that first got these fast railblazers.)
Well, make that 2 hours, the JB needs to cure. Fred