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Post by shamoo737 on Dec 5, 2015 16:32:33 GMT -5
Rob A did not think that one decoder will work on two Chinese motors. The SD40 and the GP9 calf uses Swiss motors.
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Post by davestubbs on Dec 5, 2015 20:32:21 GMT -5
Here ya go
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Post by charlie on Dec 6, 2015 4:53:52 GMT -5
Nice! Where did you get the close/short coupler in between the B units? I may build it if I don't find one for my D&RGW ABBA... Apparently no spare parts at AZL for a spare close coupler.
Charlie
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Post by ProgressRail on Dec 6, 2015 15:05:59 GMT -5
Thanks dave for the shots; that close coupling/drawbar included with the units...you have to modify/file down any of the pockets, gear box, or lid at all? any uncoupling/derailment issues into and out of easements..? Think similar to the issues for those of us who actually put the pilot-plow on SD70s, especially in the trailing position...proto consists w/ east & west facing units...the issues that MTL 905s tend to correct...
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Post by davestubbs on Dec 6, 2015 15:35:24 GMT -5
Hi Charlie, I got it from another F3 set.I was really bummed out that it was not a spare part we could buy. I hope AZL will offer them as demand grows.
Hi Dieselfuelx, To use the close coupler you need to open the coupler box and remove standard coupler than reassemble box. the close coupler "snaps" on to post inside coupler box. No mod needed at all. Have not had any uncoupling or derailment problems at all and it pulls a LOOOOONG train (see video)
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Post by BAZman on Dec 7, 2015 13:43:06 GMT -5
Nothing like bashing several märklin Santa Fe sets
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Post by davestubbs on Dec 7, 2015 14:15:20 GMT -5
5 sets if your counting. Pretty sure that's you Jeff at the end of video cleaning the track. That was a fun show.
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Post by BAZman on Feb 9, 2017 1:15:52 GMT -5
Most decoders, even the tiny Z scale ones, are rated at 1 amp. The AZL motors are lucky to draw .1 amp, stalled, let alone .05 amps. You could lash them all together. However: *Pain to separate a problem child *Locos don't all run the same speed or over the wide speed range.
Yeah, I know, its $25 to put another decoder or more in. But then you have speed matching, ability to pick up that problem child, easily change the consist (say ABB to ABBA(reversed).
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Post by Rob Albritton on Feb 10, 2017 8:03:49 GMT -5
So, I did finally speed match 2 GP9's so that they run within 1 or 2 SMPH of the speed step, dial 65 and they go 65 SMPH. Real pain in the butt, took me a little spreadsheet and some Sherlock Holmes to figure out what was going on. Reinforced my dislike of the TCS decoders. So it appears that even with the custom speed table, the speed at the speed step "centered" on one table entry is radically affected by the speed step on at least either side, more like 2 on each side. To top it off, the last CV for the table affects the higher speed steps a lot... that's sort of workable since I only match them to the next to last entry, i.e. I don't try to get 126 smph, but a few steps down, to about 112 smph. Also, a radical difference between locos, as was expected. It takes about an hour to get it right. Sigh, I doubt I would prefer the Digitrax. I should try one, but I trust the "newer" technology in the TCS, no matter how their math to interpolate is flawed. I know one thing, I'm not doing this for anyone else, no matter what I am offered. Greg This is where computers and trains mix well. It's an investment, but if you are up for it, a good combination here is a Digitrax BDL168, a ruler, LocoBuffer, and Railroad & Co's TrainProgrammer. With this you can set up a timing track with 3 zones of detection. Tell the software how long the middle zone is, and by timing how long it takes for the locomotive to travel through it at any particular speed setting it will know how fast it is actually going. The software will automatically run the locomotive backwards and forwards at increasing speed settings until it builds a known speed table. When it completes its testing, it will upload the speed table into the decoder, and you're done. Best part: you can sit back and enjoy a cup of coffee while it does it's work. All this hardware is a net investment of about $350. One hint: warm up the locomotive by running it at half speed for about a minute before you start testing. I've found that helps get an accurate profile. Good luck -Rob(A) AZL
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