Hi,
I have some questions about installing DCC decoder(s) in an Atlas O 2-Rail dual drive diesel (currently DC only). I will also be adding a Soundtraxx Tsunami TSU1000 sound decoder. Should I use two separate HO scale motor decoders, one for each motor? or a single high-power O Scale decoder for both motors? Should the motors be wired in series or parallel for best performance?
Thanks.
Scott
Austin, TX
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The Tsunami is rated for about 1.5 amps, not enough to reliably power a 2 motored engine. You could use 2 of them, but unless you get a really cheap deal it will cost more than a more robust decoder like the NCE408, which is rated for 4 amps with a 8 amp peak load.
The NCE408 is a control-only decoder, no sound. You can piggyback the Tsunami for sound, or puchase a QSI Titan series or LokSound XLv4 series decoder, both of which are control and sound.
Another reliable option is Protocraft's SUPER Tsunami, which is a modified unit that can handle 3 amps, enough for your use. If your engine matches an available sound set from Protocraft, their product is a bit less costly than the Titan Magnum or LokSound XL.
Protocraft has adapted the Tsunami to O scale motors,
. I read it during lunch. It was just what the doctor ordered.
Whatever decoder you go with I recommend wiring the motors in series for better low speed control.
Ed Rappe
Hi Ed, I just happened to see your post. Better late than never.
What's the theory behind better low speed performance from wiring motors in series rather than parallel?
Thx
Hi Dave, just saw your post, too. With the Tsunami not in the motor circuit do you loose any motor control and prime mover sound functions with this configuration. For example BEMF and prime mover sounds synchronized with speed.
Thx
The tip to series wire the China drive motors came from a number of posts on the old AtlasO forum. A secondary rational for series wired motors was to drop the top end speed down from 100+ smph to something like 55 smph. I never tried to run the units series wired under DC analog control. But I can say unequivocally that under DCC the slow speed control (starting and stopping as well as minimum speed) was much improved. How much of that was decoder vs. series wiring I can't say.
Ed Rappe
Protocraft has adapted the Tsunami to O scale motors,
after reading both articles in O scale source, I could use a 1 amp Tsunami alco 244 decoder in my new weaver RS-3.
thanks railroad-guy for the link.
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