So am back to modeling n scale due to limited space. Im new to the forum her and had a question. I eventually would like to be dcc but right now im dc still. My question is i have purchased several arnold dcc ready engines. Have gotten great deals on ebay, like $25 new each. I run kato unitrak and i notice in order to get these engines moving my dial has to be turned almost half way, vs my kato engine does not need as much to get going. Is this a product of it being dcc ready? Or just arnold engines? I use an mrc 1370 controller for right now. They are my starter engines to toy with. Any info would be great! Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
"DCC Ready" (which almost all modern Kato locos are, too) just means that there is an "easy" way to install a DCC decoder. It does not affect a base unit's ability to run on DC. That is all in the manufacturer's design. Since you say you got these on eBay, one thing you probably should do is make sure the wheels are clean. An easy way is to take a coffee filter, and spray some isopropyl alcohol on it. Place the damp filter on the track, and place one of the loco's trucks on the filter, the other truck on the track. Turn up the power while holding the loco (you may have to press down on the end with the truck on the track). Turn the loco around (other truck on filter) and repeat. You will probably see a marked improvement.
Interesting, i will have to try that. I got the locos from vrc hobbies. Said they were new. I have 4 of them and they all run the same, but i will check the wheels. My kato engine is an older model that i got on ebay as well for not that much. These engines are just so fragile. If i touch the railings they will pop out making getting them back in very difficult. N scale has def come a long way in detail though. Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
Kato engines are noted for being "rockets" , usually doing at least double the speed the prototype would do. My last E unit was good for about 190 mph. As such, high speed at full throttle also equals high speed at lower throttle settings. The new Arnold stuff goes more scale speed, so they run slower at all throttle setting..........I'm not sure what you are using as a speed gauge........when you say "get moving" are you talking ACTUALLY moving, or moving at a certain speed. My Arnold engines will creep along at super slow speeds at low throttle settings, but need a bit of throttle to move at a "mainline speed". Virtually all engines will require more throttle to reach a given speed than the Katos, but they also will run a truer speed at maximum throttle than a Kato. Katos are great locos, but they run fast.
By me saying moving, I mean actually moving. I have to turn the dial to the 40 mark for it to start actually going forward and or reverse. There quiet and i like at the low speeds. Im just curious if there was something wrong with the locos or not. The kato is def a rocket when compared to the arnold. The arnold runs smoother at higher speeds and im not worrying about a derailment vs with the kato Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk
