DCC - Electrical
Soundtraxx Current Keeper Install Question
So, My Athearn Genesis MP15AC is stalling out. On my old layout, it was finicky. My new layout is wired better, all turnouts are electrofrogs and were modified. The frogs are all juiced. Every section of track has feeders. And, this little locomotive is still finicky. I cleaned all the track and locomotive wheels. And, at creeper speeds it still stalls out. I am building an ISL on a shelf, so slow speed switching operations is what I am doing. Its getting frustrating.
Wiring in progress
Of all the parts of the hobby, wiring is my least favourite . You spend a lot of time working on it but change is not obvious.
I have all of the bench work completed where I was able to. I put led strip lights under the top level so I can see my track while doing the wiring. I got my turntable in and the roundhouse repaired an set in place.
Here are a couple of panoramic views of the layout to date.
**ProtoThrottle pre-orders extended…
We’re excited about the great response to our pre-order signup so far. In less than one week we have sold almost the entire allotment of 150 throttles. Because of this great response, we will be expanding the number of throttles eligible for the discount ($449) by an additional 50 units.
Getting quality sound with Bluetooth technology
I would like to equip my sound decoder locomotives with Bluetooth modules to transmit the sound to an old computer speaker with sub-woofer to get enhanced sound. I began my quest with a Broadway Limited SW-7 with Paragon 2 sound DCC decoder. I wired a 3.5mm plug to the speaker wires and plugged in a 41mmx32mmx9mm transceiver and I had big sound. Now DigiKey and Mouser carry large varieties of modules of a more reasonable size around 16mmx9mmx3mm (that transceiver rides on the running boards and is taller than the smokestack).
Electronics Help or... I'm going to take up a simple hobby like embroidery
I'm getting conflicting advice from a variety of sources. I need some electronics help. I am trying to operate my hand laid turnouts with servos. I have bought and assembled a Megapoints board. Megapoints is a commercial product from the UK and is also available as a kit from MERG, the electronics club in the UK. The kit works as advertised with analog servos that I bought on their recommendation from HobbyKing.
Panel and track indicator light question
I have a problem looking for a solution, or an idea looking for a problem as some may think. One thing that drives me nuts on my own layout and when I run yards on other layouts are the amount of people that always want to congregate in the yard. I am trying to keep this to a minimum on my layout so I though that I could add this feature for crews and the yard to work with.
Which Scotchlok IDC to use.
I am planning a 14 awg solid bus and 20 awg feeders. I am trying to figure out which IDC I need. There seems to be a variety. Wondering what others are using and any suggestions you may have.
GregW66
https://gregstrainyard.com
**ProtoThrottle pre-orders open tomorrow April 6
For anyone interested, we will start taking pre-orders for the ProtoThrottle tomorrow, April 6.
Please visit the Iowa Scaled Engineering website at www.iascaled.com/store/MRBW-CST
Yours for the most realistic diesel control experience,
Scott Thornton
Michael Petersen
Nathan Holmes
Iowa Scaled Engineering – ProtoThrottle
ProtoThrottle Update
Just a quick update on the ProtoThrottle... A few weeks back, it went through Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) testing at NCEE Labs in Lincoln, NE.
It passed!
Here are some photos from the testing:
I'm Hooked!
I've held of getting a sound equipped locomotive almost as long as I resisted the move from DC to DCC. I'd seen and listened to locomotives with sound on various videos and at numerous train shows. I wasn't that impressed. Out of necessity the units didn't produce that low bass typical of the prototype and all too often, the sound of the horns and the bell seemed to blend into the engine sound. It all seemed too "toy" like to me.
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