Before things get heated, I understand that converting 3 rail to DCC will gut out the soundboard and be replaced with the new decoder. Sound to me is a Non issue, I personally don't care for it and would rather create ambient, environmental sound. The reason I'm thinking about doing this is I DO NOT like the fact that MTH and Lionel cannot play nicely like the rest of the model railroading world when it comes do digital command by following NMRA digital standards. I WILL NOT buy two separate systems to run trains or the MTH work around to run Legacy/tmcc on DCS. In all honesty, this is a massive black eye to 3 rail O IMHO. I am an HO scale modeler dabbling in O scale. I like the size of O, and the flexibility "tight radius" and fun rail cars/operating accessories that 3 rail O has to offer. I guess I would be classified as a hybrid high rail modeler with toy train tendencies. I plan on keeping HO for the club that im at now and keep O for at home. Now into the meat and taters. My modeling goals is to model an industrial park, much in the spirit of lance Midheim, with 2-3 operators max. Now, I would like to keep things familiar with my fellow club members and stick with Digitrax "what we use at the club," and I also put a chunk of change into my DT 402. Another reason is would also like to be able to use JMRI for programming, along with slow operations. As I mentioned earlier, I'm well aware that the existing sound board will need to be gutted. I would like to note, I only own 2 locos "Hogwarts express "Lionel" and a Williams by Bachmann GP-9. Both have can motors, the Hogwarts express has one, gp-9 has 2. Now, with the gp-9 having 2 motors, how will that be installed into the decoder? Also, I would like to have the option if possible to use smoke machines in the locos. I am aware that running that directly will cook the decoder, so my thought was to use a relay, use the low voltage to trip the relay as a function and use track power to power the smoke unit. If all else fails, I guess i can use a rechargeable battery. When it comes to decoders, I understand Digitrax and NCE, sadly not TCS makes O scale decoders, can a G scale be used too? As it comes to Fastrack switches, the switch machine will not be run off of track power, but powered separately. For my last thought, are there any members who has done this? There are examples on the web, but not a whole lot of 'em.
Can motors you can do it. Field wound no. Also, watch current draw. Using an ammeter (on old pre and post war units, you can run them fine on DC) tie the drawbar down, full power while reading the ammeter. Should give you some idea of max current, which will help you choose a decoder. Smoke....mount a toggle switch somewhere, run it straight off track power (fully insulated). Dave
http://www.ncedcc.com/component/vir...page=flypage.tpl&product_id=52&category_id=14 This is the decoder I have in mind.
By the data shown, looks okay. Peak is always an issue. But, even two motors, should be okay. You STILL need to check full slip current draw to see what your loco actually draws in worst-case. That's part of selecting the proper decoder.
