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Subject: 
Re: Digital Controls
Newsgroups: 
lugnet.trains
Date: 
Sat, 13 Oct 2001 03:58:53 GMT
Viewed: 
2705 times
  
> I've been reading the info on the Digitrax website. Some nice stuff.
> Some confusing still but I'm figuring it out. I think the 1 to 9999
> range on the decoders is so you can put the train's number into the
> system. VERY COOL!

Yep.  I have a loco # 1021 (figure that one out-hint, the clocks), and then
2500/2510,

The 25's are my pair of class 25 diesels-they have the special wiring setup for
operation of the brake vans.  Being able to number in any series of 4 digit
addresses is useful, but I still need a cheat sheet for even 5 locos-I cannot
always remember which loco is which, and crashing them is just TOO easy to do
otherwise.

> Yes, I've been there, I'll call them on current pricing.

(mention that you belong to a railway club- over here, I could help, but I
suspect that they will believe you if you say you are a member of VanLUG- they
give a discount)


> I think you picked the best starter set. It's upgradeable and has some
> very cool features.

Yep.  I don't think I will want to run 22 or more trains, and it has all that I
need it to do. Since that would be the only reason to go with the Chief, I
think that the Empire Builder II is a better choice.


> > Decoders-DN121 Digitrax,
> 
> I think the DN142 with the speed control system would be best would it
> not? When I've used the Mindstorms I find the PulseWidthModulation makes
> the thing scream on straights and crawl on curves.  You have at least
> one DN142. How do you find it compares to the DN121?
> Also, would the DZ121 be a better choice all around for size and
> features?

There are more steps (128) to the PWM in DCC (ha, say that fast 5 times!).  So,
I don't think that the compensated decoders are required.  Mind you, I might
find out that I want them for running between the 2 levels of my layout-
however, that is intended to have a human operator run the trains, so I really
don't see much of a problem.  I haven't tried long trains around multi corners
with it yet, so I cannot comment too much. (I guess I have to go play with my
lego eh? :)

(I just got a bunch new HP sets, and some MOT stuff, and more bulk bricks- all
kinds of fun- but my Metroliner isn't here yet :()


> Any pics of your motor outputs? I'd like to see how you got 3 sets of
> wires out of the unit.

With a drill.  Since I have to cut open the motor anyway, I just add a hole in
the top of one of the studs on the non 9V connector end, and run the wires up
from the decoder that way.  It's only 3 wires (2 switched, one common) coming
up and out.

I only have a real camera- so photos will be a few weeks or so.  It isn't as
scary as you think.  For power transmission, I am using 2x2 pieces of the
electric plates cut up (I think that the instructions for such modifications
are on Ralph H's site)

James



Message has 1 Reply:
  Re: Digital Controls
 
(...) VanLUG is that a 'real' train club? The prices I got (in CDN are) Empire Builder II $425.00 DN142 $72.00 (Same one that comes with the above kit) DN121 $35.00 DZ121 $62.00 Seems reasonable to me. (...) Yes, please do. How are you controlling (...) (25 years ago, 13-Oct-01, to lugnet.trains)

Message is in Reply To:
  Re: Digital Controls
 
(...) I've been reading the info on the Digitrax website. Some nice stuff. Some confusing still but I'm figuring it out. I think the 1 to 9999 range on the decoders is so you can put the train's number into the system. VERY COOL! I haven't gotten (...) (25 years ago, 11-Oct-01, to lugnet.trains)

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