I know nothing about DCC, but with the recent failure of my powerpack, I am considering moving into that direction. My question is, is there a DCC system that sends sound impulses thru the rail as did the old PFM Mark II or the newest GME? I really like the idea of having the sound issuing from the locomotive itself. Any help or information will be greatly appreciated. Thanks ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
Open up your old power pack. Look for signs of burnt power transistor, or loose wire. Get number off transistor and replace it. Look close for signs of grack at solder joints both top and bottom of PC board. Sometimes wire chuck has broken wire from age. Wire chuck is the crimp type plastic grommet where 120v cord set enters power supply case. Most of these are squashed down onto the wire with pliers and inserted into hole in case. You can see this type of wire strain relief grommet from outside, identifiable by two slits. One half of grommet is shaped like a "U", with the wire at bottom, and top is pressed down until the outside is round to fit in hole. You may be back in business by shortening wire and re-soldering and re-placing grommet. Worth a free try. Good luck. ------------------ Watash [This message has been edited by watash (edited 12 November 2000).]
Yes there is . Check out the Soundtraxx decoders and system. decoders will work with any NMRA compatible system .....Mike
The Soundtraxx decoders don't actually send the sounds through the rails. The decoder onboard the loco actually generates all the sounds. In that way the decoder can be used on any DCC layout with any other manufacture's command station. Things have even gotten better lately, there are now lower cost decoders coming out from Soundtraxx. Also, they also have plug-n-play decoders for specific locos. These decoders already have a speaker mounted right on the decoder. You don't have to figure out where to mount a speaker. Checkout www.ttx-dcc.com. They have some pictures of sound decoders installed in locos. [This message has been edited by ncng (edited 13 November 2000).]
Watach .. thanks for the hints. I'll check it out closely. But, I am still interested in converting over to DCC sometime in the very near future. Mike C and NCNG .. thank you for your information and URL. I will take a look at what they have to offer. ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
NCNG do you know if the soundtrax decoders work with the MRC system? I am guessing that the chuff will work , but how would you axcess the bell and whistle?
Don't know about the MRC system. It would have to be able to turn off and on those functions. I don't know how many functions MRC supports.
Maybe a quick e-mail or fax to MRC with an inquiry would give you an answer?? ------------------ Bill (#16) "Get Goosed on the Yreka Western"
I've got 3 Soundtrax decoders installed. let me give you the function numbers and see if the MRC can handle them. F0= headlight(forward)and Backup(reverse) light on/off F1= your choice, I've got marker lights F2= whistle F3= Bell F4= Cylinder blowdown F5= your choice F6= Dynamo sound on/off F7= Coupler sound trigger F8= Audio mute The air compressor is always on, and the chuff is on. The rest you can program as you wish with most systems. When you have two or three on a layout it adds so much. Even if one or two are just sitting in a yard or a siding. But when you have all operating at different parts of the layout, it's really amazing. I'm not trying to tell you what to buy, but MRC is VERY limited. You can usually buy a used set for about what you'd pay for an MRC. If you are good with computers, then you can probably handle a Digitrax, but if not then look at some of the others on the market. They're all pretty competive with each other. Keep us posted ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
The MRC command 2000 system supports one other function other than lights so it is not a good system to plan on using with sound decoders.
Welcome to TrainBoard UP fan, hope you find lots of good info here. BTW is your home in Hawaii? ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by ChrisDante: Welcome to TrainBoard UP fan, hope you find lots of good info here. BTW is your home in Hawaii? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Thanks, yes right now I'm living in Hawaii. I am in the Navy so I get around. Spent last year in Kansas (lots of trains ). The year before in Norfolk VA (some trains but only NS ). Before that I was in southern California (trolleys and passenger trains:| ). Not much in the way of trains here in Hawaii unfortunately. There is a model club that is building a layout in a restored narrow gauge car. There is also a narrow guage tourist railroad that has rides daily. It is left over from sugar plantation and some military as far as I can gather. Pretty interesting all in all.
