<font color="336633">is it possible to put a decoder into dummy locos to control lights ditch lights etc? if so whats the best one (HO scale btw)</font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery TrainBoard member #257
Well it seems possible, although it is something I have not tried. If you are going to doublehead this with a decoder equiped loco, it would also seem possible to connect it to the other loco with a small plug or two.....Mike
Matt, I have seen this done in the past where the dummy was actually used as the "front" loco and has working ditch lights and sound, while the second unit of the consist was the power source. I believe the "dummy" was a canibalized (formerly powered) unit that drew track power for its lights and sound. However, it could have been cleverly disguised and only drawn power from the 2nd unit by way of its functioning MU cables running between the units! I can't remember, as it's been a while since I saw it and it relates to a Horribly Oversized scale compared to mine (N) Chessie ------------------ Harold Hodnett Fan of NS, CSX, and their predecessors! Coming soon: The North Carolina Railfan Web Site http://www.trainweb.org/ncrail/
<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by chessie: I can't remember, as it's been a while since I saw it and it relates to a Horribly Oversized scale compared to mine (N) <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> <font color="336633">there was something in MR awhile a go he did a PA1 and and a hood unit cant remember what, the locos i want to put the decoders in are athearn dummys, the 2 most wanted are 2 GP38-2's i have (one runs with a Kato GP35 one with an Atlas GP38) and as these will be half the time on the point i really need lights in it, maybe also a sound unit.</font> ------------------ Matthew wheres all the C636's???? stickymonk.com Matts Photo gallery TrainBoard member #257
Yep, you can do it. If you want sound and light control you need to get drive control to, so I'd go with the Soundtraxx DSD 150 "Diesel" with the appropriate horn. If you just want to control lights and ditchlights, you can get a two-function decoder for this, unless you want flashing ditchlights, then you have to get an FX decoder. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
I'm essentialy doing this right now with an HO 0-6-0 switcher. I've got a digitrax decoder in the engine for just power and a Soundtrax DSX in the tender for sound. It was a matter of space consideration. I have made them a "consist". They are sequentially numbered decoders(do this before you wire them into their final positions.) That way you can address each of the decoder's various CV's without conflicting with the other one. Let me repeat the last statement because that's the key. GIVE THEM 2 SEPARATE ADDRESSES OR NEITHER WILL WORK CORRECTLY!!!!! ------------------ When in doubt, empty your magazine. Member #33
Yes, but that is only the case when you use separate decoders. Using the DSD 150, it controls everything from one address, so it makes life a LOT easier. ------------------ Corey Lynch Pres - Rensselaer Model RR Society, NEB&W RR http://www.rpi.edu/~lynchc/Railfanning/railfanning.htm - My Site http://www.union.rpi.edu/railroad/ - NEB&W
