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Post by larryo on Dec 1, 2015 21:25:12 GMT -5
Is there any info regarding conversion of these new locos? I don't find anything with the "search" function, but may have looked for wrong thing!
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Post by davestubbs on Dec 1, 2015 22:23:34 GMT -5
Hi Larryo,
Its really simple with the TCS AZL4 decoder. its a drop in fit I have 10 of the F3 all DCC. Let me know if you need Pictures. one thing to look for on the F3 are the trucks on some of them the pick up has been bent outwards and causes weak contact it will cause problems in DC as well. I posted a picture a while back.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 1, 2015 22:25:25 GMT -5
The Digitrax DZ123Z0 will also "drop in" to the F units.
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Post by BAZman on Dec 2, 2015 0:13:44 GMT -5
After you remove all you can of the solder.
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Post by Rob Albritton on Dec 2, 2015 7:29:58 GMT -5
After you remove all you can of the solder. Gotta "drop off" the solder before you can Drop It In.  |
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Post by larryo on Dec 2, 2015 20:55:08 GMT -5
Thanks for the info re decoder availability. Is the "solder" thing the reason that I see a lot of references to TCS decoders rather than Digitrax or is there better performance or ....? I note the TCS mentioned above is a 4 function unit. What are the extra functions used for? I don't see anything to hook them up to.
Larry
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Post by markm on Dec 2, 2015 21:57:15 GMT -5
Larry,
The advantage of the TCS is that the extra functions are useful for adding ditch lights, cab lights, etc. If you're running stock, not much value. The solder issue isn't a big deal so long as you feel good about using a soldering iron.
Mark
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Post by charlie on Dec 3, 2015 14:57:56 GMT -5
Another question about DCC-ing the F3s: Is there a way to use only one decoder for 2units (or more) by plugging them together? :s
Because I have F3 ABBA set I want to upgrade to DCC.... and buying 4 decoders makes it quite expensive!
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Post by markm on Dec 4, 2015 9:10:46 GMT -5
Charlie,
As far as I know, no. DCC is a "smart" controller, but gets confused when they to talk to multiple motors.
The only thing I can think of would be to pull the motors out of the B units and turn them into dummies.
Mark
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Post by charlie on Dec 4, 2015 10:35:05 GMT -5
That's what I was afraid of.... to bad.
Luckily, I have only one of these ABBA configuration so far.
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gnfan
New Member
Posts: 33
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Post by gnfan on Dec 4, 2015 21:31:05 GMT -5
Another question about DCC-ing the F3s: Is there a way to use only one decoder for 2units (or more) by plugging them together? :s Because I have F3 ABBA set I want to upgrade to DCC.... and buying 4 decoders makes it quite expensive! The more typical practice is to set up a consist. To do that, the expensive part is that each loco in the consist needs a decoder. But the consist setup means you run the group of locos as a set, with a single group address. Not what your wallet wants to hear, I know. Mike |
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Post by markm on Dec 5, 2015 10:56:09 GMT -5
Charlie, all,
I've been thinking about this and asked myself: "How does DCC handle multiple motor units in O and S scale?" So I looked up my American Flyer "E" unit with 2 motors in the Digitrax selector and there it is, the DH465. The unit is too big and too powerful for Z, but it does indicate that decoder firmware exists to drive two motors in parallel and would be worth asking Digitrax if other, more Z compatible units can.
It would be a significant rework as you would need to run some very flexible wire between the A & B unit, perform surgery on the B unit PCB to isolate the motor and of course you would need to convert the units to drawbar.
With what appears to be a long line of A-B sets from AZL, it would make sense for us and AZL to look into it.
Mark
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Post by charlie on Dec 5, 2015 12:38:57 GMT -5
Thanks Mark for checking this out. Indeed it may be (if exists) cheaper, but not that easy to perform. Linking 2units may be fine , but 4....
I think I 'd better go for 4decoders (later on)!
Charlie
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Post by ProgressRail on Dec 5, 2015 13:54:40 GMT -5
Let me know if you need Pictures. |
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Post by shamoo737 on Dec 5, 2015 16:18:53 GMT -5
Thanks Mark for checking this out. Indeed it may be (if exists) cheaper, but not that easy to perform. Linking 2units may be fine , but 4.... I think I 'd better go for 4decoders (later on)! Charlie You can actually use one decoder on two locos, but there's a problem. Finding wires that are thing and flexible enough for operation. On tight turns, the wires will cause a derailment. I have a SD40 mother and calf set. There's no way to put a decoder on the calf. |
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