I had a buddy ask me about running a Zephyr on his HO layout and the extension he intends to add. Obviosuly, his HO layout uses HO decoders, but his extension will be HOn3, using large N scale decoders. I see in various places that N and HO should run different track voltages. Is that going to have any impact on one command station / booster running both layouts? Should he just go with the HO setting on his DCC box?
The decoders can handle varied voltages without problem. It is not uncommon to have HO, N, or even Z designated decoders in HO scale equipment. The only problem you will have is with the lights. Make sure that you have the bulbs/LEDs protected for the highest voltage they will be used on. If you have the lights set up for running on the N scale setting and you put them on a layout running with the HO scale setting, you have just blown your 1.5 volt bulbs or LEDs. I run my HO layout with the N scale setting. It restricts the top end speed of my locomotives and gives finer speed control (i.e. each step on the throttle is less change in voltage). David
hey, thanks david... I am thinking that running the main layout on the N scale setting would actually ber perfect (its a logging / industrial setting where low speed is mandatory). Great...thanks mate.
