Would the DN163PS also be a good fit for this one? It has a slightly higher amp rating. Thoughts (before I order one)???
Originally Posted by Espeeman and Bill Gates said that 640k of ram was all anyone would ever need. Just to set the record straight- it wasn't Billy G. or Microsoft that set the 640K limit. That was done by IBM before Gates got involved. ... and before anybody says anything- no I don't work for either company.
As my Aussie friends have told me "never let facts get in the way of a good story!" I've noticed that woo woo woo woo woo woo is recommending 20" radius curves for the AC12. What's binding the wheels so much? (mine hasn't arrived yet so I can't see for myself).
Supersteam, thanks for posting these great pictures. That AC-12 looks so good, with such fine detail, it would be really interesting to see pictures of it on some code 55 track, to see how "un-N-scale" it would look then.
I too would like to know. Specifically if this will take 11 inch curves. I'm putting my order in this weekend regardless, but would still like to know if she'll get to run or not.
I'd like to know this too. Could someone with Unitrack try it on a few different curves and No.4 turnouts?
I'm gonna go with 9.5". It can aaaaaaaaaaalmost make my one 9.25" curve, but something usually pops off the track.
Anyone want to take a crack at my decoder choice question - Would the DN163PS also be a good fit for this one? It has a slightly higher amp rating. Thoughts (before I order one)???
You no wanna the sound? Actually Jeff, if you want the best movement characteristics, you need to look at the Lenz Silver Direct or better decoder. You just can not beat a Lenz decoder for the slow motion control and BEMF implementation is the best in the industry. Much better than Digitrax can do. And a lot more lighting effects configuration capabilities. The Silver Direct can go 1 amp continuous and 1.8 amps peak. The current draw is not so much a concern since it is really dictated by the motor draw. They do have smaller versions in both the Silver and the Gold series. You can't lose with either.
David, Yes, I would like the sound option but the micro Tsunami I can't justify the price for it. I know Digitrax is coming out with a sound decoder for this loco in March but I've heard their sound quality isn't that good. Jeff
Just a little tongue in cheek there Jeff. Usually the big question is about adding a sound decoder. It is a bit refreshing to see that not everything is about sound. I have to agree, it gets very expensive fast. On a more serious note, I have tried the Lenz Silver Mini and the Digitrax DZ143 in older steam locomotives. The DZ143 went into a Kato/ConCor Hudson while the Lenz went into a Minitrix Pacific. Both locomotives were very good runners on DC, but when converted to DCC, the Minitirx with the Lenz decoder was a lot smoother and has much better slow speed performance than the Hudson had. This shocked me pretty much, but then I pulled the DZ143 and installed a Lenz decoder, and it was like night and day difference on the smoothness and the slow speed performance. It was after this, I standardized all of my steam locomotives on the Lenz decoders. I still use Digitrax on diesels though. They are a few dollars more than the Digitrax decoder you were asking about, but they are really worth it if you like smooth, slow cranking siderods.
I second the Lenz. I use Lenz Silver Mini's in all my steam locos, and frankly the motor control is vastly superior to anything else I've tried (I haven't tried the TCS decoders, though, which I've heard are quite good - I have tried Loksound, the micro-Tsunami, and Digitrax decoders). I just used a Lenz in a ConCor/China Hudson that has a pretty cheap motor, and with the Lenz, it will crawl completely smoothly at 2 smph. In fact, I like the Lenz so much that even when I install a Tsunami for sound, I continue to use a Lenz for motor control (yes, I use TWO decoders in virtually all my steam locos). In general, modern N scale locos draw less than half an amp even at stall (running, it's more like .2 amps). You really don't need a high-capacity decoder for these things unless you're planning on a LOT of lighting effects with bulbs instead of LED's (LED's take virtually no current to run; bulbs are a different story). Any decoder rated at a half-amp or more for the motor should do just fine. John C.
I've used Lenx Silver or gold mini decoders in all my steam locomotives for years now. They are by far the best decoder that's readily available in the United States. Only Zimo decoders rate higher than the Lenz gold or Siver series decoders.
Wow. Pretty amazing! My hidden staging area is currently designed with a 12.5" min radius so it sounds like it should be ok. I just got notice that my AC12 shipped Saturday so I will be able to test it out by the middle of the week. Thanks for the info Eric.
