I'm interested in getting one of these cleaning cars, but have a question. I am running DCC with the Digitrax Zephyr. Can I run the track cleaning car on my DCC layout? One website I visited mentioned I needed a decoder for the cleaning car. That doesn't sound quite right, so I'm asking if I can simply buy the track cleaning car and run it behind one of my decoder equipped locos?
Dave: You can run the track cleaning car on your layout without a decoder, if the track voltage is set below 12 volts. I don't think that's possible with the Digitrax Zephyr DCC system. I think the Zephyr's volt is set above 13 volts. Atlas voltage limit on their track cleaning car is set at 12 volts. You might have to install a cheap decoder in the car to use it on the Zephyr system.. Stay cool and run steam..... [ January 29, 2006, 03:27 PM: Message edited by: Powersteamguy1790 ]
Dave, I just got rid of my Zephyr system but can tell you this is entirely possible. all you have to do is get a really small decoder installed in the atlas track cleaner (the dz123 if i recall is a really small one). I installed one - after some milling - set up the track cleaner with its own address, and ran it successfully for over a year. no problem. i think the yahoo digitrax group has a file available that details the installation if you have questions about that. Ray
Dave, I found the file, it's not in the yahoo digitrax forum it's in the ndcc group on yahoo. i have the file - email me and i'll send it over. Ray
We now have a DCC installer that installs the DZ123 into the Atlas cleaner for us. We are going to try and keep these in stock.
This link used to give instructions on how to install a TCS M1 decoder in an Atlas track cleaning car. http://www.deloziers.com/trains/ATLASTRKCR/index.html Doesn't seem to be working now so it may be down or dead. Try a few times at different hours and see. [ January 31, 2006, 02:08 PM: Message edited by: MK ]
I have an NCE system I run mine with out decoder never had a problem, so I got another one and now I run one grinder, one vaccuum and then 2 follow up Aztec cars with wet clean then dry. Works great never had an issue with voltage. Steve
Steve: What is the track voltage of your NCE system command station set to? Stay cool and run steam.....
