Hey everyone any way to convert some old 027 engines to DCC? I've seen O scale decoders, got a digitrax system. Anything I can do or something similar? Thanks! Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
No, if it's open-frame motor and mechanical e-unit type. Those things can draw a whacking lot of power. That's why they had 275 watt power supplies...and often 4 in a row! Newer ones with can motors...just whack the circuit boards out and you're all set. If you must experiment on an open-frame, mount a full wave bridge rectumfrier to field, removing (carefully) the e-unit, and try it with your decoder plugged in. I can't recall as it depends on engine, load, grade, last time it was lubed...but a 5 amp decoder I would think should be a minimum. Dave
Post 1970's I see digitrax makes the board and I do have a booster that puts out enough power. Only concern is wiring up the board? Again 027 post 70's Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Post is most likely can motors with a rectifying/reversing/lighting board. Open the loco. Does it have silvery, round can motors? If so, forget the plug-and-pray ideology, cross your legs, close your eyes and hummmmmm. Now then. Two wires to track (in this case, one to truck wheels, one to centre roller). Two wires to the motors (and when you test, you will find if they both go in the same direction....which you can test first with a DC ONLY power supply). Headlights will be an issue if one side is frame ground. If plastic sockets with two wires, then two to headlight, two to backup light. Make sure nothing is case or frame grounded except one track lead.
Yes it does. But the newer stuff has different motors, "E" units and even electronics. They can do things the 1969 and earlier cannot.
Thanks guys! I will plug and pray! lol. Ill probably make a video out of this. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Yea lol need to order parts. I will be doing it to my large scale as well. Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
which is what I have done for over 20 years here. Zero track power outside...not even any wires attached. Never looked back. Stanley can Stick it. Dave
I have a feeling that the first O-Scale-Battery DBTC units are coming in about 1 year. The first HO-Scale DBTC units already have a battery-power-input. Bob
Lionel as track powered radio control out..has for a while. Simple to just install batteries. The technology is intriguing and will probably in one form or another surpass what folks are using now. We'll see.
What do you do for sound? Can you use something like a phoenix sound card? Sent from my SM-G920P using Tapatalk
Outdoors? When I do use sound (and early on we did not) it was Sierra..long since gone, but they still all work. Nine or 10 Sierras still at work, one Phoenix, several Sierras in reserve...someday I might put them in. Nowadays the only real choice seems to be Phoenix. I have one engine with Phoenix, just for demonstration purposes. (there are others, but almost everyone I know avoids dcc in LS like the plague, so a dcc-only sound option...isn't) On Lionel, no sound, full stop. You run a string with 2343's, you don't need sound, and you have something that will settle ballast.
