Chris, The tender trucks are different between the streamlined and standard versions. Unfortunately, I ordered more of the standard version. Dan S.
My D51 ran way too fast with DCC so I changed some CVs. CV2 = 0 (start up speed - the engine crawls at speed step 1) CV6 = 40 (mid range speed) CV5 = 80 (limits top speed - speed step 28 looks like about 50 mph) Now as I throttle up the engine it accelerates much more smoothly - much more like momentum is on.
At the WGH show, it would hang up on a MTL switch and be fine everywhere else. The switch has a high point in it and the trailing truck is hitting the decoder wires where I soldered them to the frame. I'm going to work on that switch and the wires where they feed. The CV change makes a world of difference. Much more realistic max. speed and smoother starts. I pulled 18 MTL cars (w/ FVM axles) with it - slight wheel spin. Large radius turn (16"). I will see how many cars can be pulled on small radius turn (11"). Then some Bullfrog Snot on the rear drivers and see if that helps - Unless anyone has a better idea on which drivers to put the snot on? My second D51 should come in the next month. Can anyone say "Double header"? (baseball season tie in here )
Chris, I can't wait to see what you make of this little guy. I'm busy trying to get used to a new job, and can't seem to get my schedule settled down to allow for hobby time. So, my D-51s are on the back burner. Dan S.
Been playing with the tender today. I cleaned all the clear grease out. My guess it is dielectric grease and that is non-conductive and does NOT enhance the flow of electric current. The wheels spin better now, but I noticed the flanges lightly scrape the tender floor. This pic shows on the right in red how I made cut outs for the flanges. I will probably add a SMALL amount of conductive grease to the axle cups. I get the grease from MG chemicals, it is a silver color. http://www.mgchemicals.com/products/8463.html
Always fun to watch precious little locomotives on the chopping block. It indicates something important. There are still modelers around. Chris, keep chopping and taking photos.
David Jeff or Robert. Anyone got pictures of where you installed the decoder in the D51 and what changes you had to make to fit it in. I have seen the two video's but they do not show this detail. I got mine apart now and I can see it won't fit behind the motor in the tender either vertically or horizontally. I can see probably getting it in if I remove the rear tender deck and install a new a bit higher up. I have a Z2 but is there another option that is smaller? cheerz Garth
That was my solution, remove the rear deck over the water tank and fashion a higher deck. I used the DZ125 decoder laying on it's side right behind the motor.
Thanks Robert If the Z2 were just a tad shorter it would fit laying on it side tipped forward at the top but it only fits diagonally across the space behind the motor and then is too wide to fit under the tank deck. So someone else has fitted the Z2 to this beast so wonder what their solution was before I go looking for a DZ125. The Z2 could go on top of the motor and build the coal bunker sides up and back fill over top of the decoder. cheerz garth
I cut away part of the weight in the engine. The part just above the "wings" that project down around the drive shaft. Then I put the Z-2 on top of the weight, but inside the boiler with the back part ending up in the top of the cab. The chip doesn't extend past the back of the cab roof. Then I used a black felt pen to color all the wires black where they feed down off the back of the chip.
