A DC controller would need to be kept at about 1/4 full speed or less. Better luck with the girls than the boys on that... A DCC decoder could be programmed for max speed to limit the DC voltage the motor sees. But the peak-peak motor voltage is still gonna be closer to the DCC power supply voltage, less a volt or two. The motor brushes may not last as long as normal, but it would work, and keep the kids from frying the motor the first day.
I have several of the TGW powered M of W vehicles. Max voltage is 4.5 volts. I have rigged a device to my power pack that when thrown limits to power to 4.5 volts output, It is a simple designed plunger that when deployed stops the rheostat from being advanced any further. 100_0035-4 by John Moore posted Sep 8, 2023 at 7:19 PM 100_0034-5 by John Moore posted Sep 8, 2023 at 7:18 PM
Well I have received from Japan the 2nd sloped short nose brass loco shell. Now assembled and ready for paint. 100_0030-1 by John Moore posted Sep 7, 2023 at 10:19 AM And in the process of demoing my current layout for a better design of everything. Harbor is going to be reduced by close to half and the mainline is gong to be extended into the harbor and bridge the harbor. Recycling the unitrack and adding to it and going to use some Kato flex track this time in areas. 100_0032-2 by John Moore posted Sep 8, 2023 at 6:35 PM
Actually that is what is left of the old 8 and 9 inch radius. Maybe I will be laying track again by the end of the month. This time trying for a 100% unitrack.
I just received this used Vossloh G1700BB by Hobbytrain in "running" condition. I was hoping when I got it all I was going to have to do was swap out the DC plug with a decoder but that didn't happen. The motor barely rotated at full throttle with the decoder in place and same issue with a fresh 8V battery and the DC plug so something was going on with the drive system. I took it apart enough to troubleshoot further and the motor appears to have been lubricated with stale syrup. I fixed that problem cleaning with some alcohol and applying synthetic lube so now it runs super nice. On to a complete the cleaning and lube all the way out to the trucks then re-assemble, cross fingers and hope it runs. These locos have good reviews when they do run, the base detail is exquisite for N scale and I've been hunting a while for one of these in the SBB Cargo livery so worth some effort to get it back to 100% if I can.
My workbench just acquired a T-Trak module that belongs to a friend. It is wired for a single bus, and we use a Red/Yellow setup with our club so I’m gonna fix that for him. No pics tonight I will try for them tomorrow.
Indeed, the picture is a little misleading as all those parts in the upper left corner are actually couplers for other projects but yeah it is enough disassembly that taking notes is advised. Good news though is it's all back together and super smooth creeper without any adjustments on the new decoder. The ditch lights are kind of dim though due to the Rube Goldberg style light piping that moves said light from LED boards inside each end of the shell. To fix that I am going run/install pico lamps out to each housing. It's almost Like Krauss Maffei and Alco collaborated on a euro version of the RS's.
That's cool, propping the loco and track up on a clear plastic box; you should add a mirror underneath! Not familiar with pico lamps; are they LEDs? LEDs are definitely preferable for less heat dissipation, and much longer lifespan.
Yes, LEDs. Pico refers to the size of the LED which is a surface mount chip (0402 profile) about 1mm x .5mm. I get them in bulk (warm white mostly) pre-soldered to magnet wire leads so I can run them remote from inside the shell. This is basically what I'll be doing with the Vossloh, The pic is from a few years back before I discovered the same LEDs pre-soldered with smaller magnet wires (which makes tons of difference when working in this small of a scale).
Stupid question time... Do decoders have current-limited outputs for driving LEDs, or are limiting resistors needed?
Not stupid at all - most decoders do not and just supply rectified track voltage so one has to wire in their own. Edit: add information I use SMD chip resistors, 0603 size, 750-1K ohm - again for space savings.
So far I've pretty much only used Digitrax and ESU (have some Zimo but haven't installed any yet). The Digitrax and ESU require resistors if using LED's. The ESU decoders I've used so far allow you to further dim the LED's in I think 32 steps past how far they are dimmed by the resistor you choose. I don't think the Digitrax I've used allows that control but would bet the Zimo decoders do. The ESU also allow the lights to fad when going on/off. Sumner
Bouncing between workbench and layout (but on the latter here), Violet Hill Railway B23-7 2301. I’ve run into so many issues with this engine…but it’s coming together now, and I’m happy with it! Still needs its plow and some more weathering.
