Hello all, I was given an Engine that runs fine on dc, but I want to convert it to DCC but I don't know how to tell what kind of engine it is or even where to look. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Mike
Go Seahawks!
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Originally Posted by mike g.:
Hello all, I was given an Engine that runs fine on dc, but I want to convert it to DCC but I don't know how to tell what kind of engine it is or even where to look. I hope someone can point me in the right direction.
Mike
Go Seahawks!
Photos would sure help.
Photos would sure help.
Assuming you don't have a camera, measuring the voltage and amp draw of the motor(s), and using a board(s) matched to, it is the basic goal.
Then maybe matched/adjusted to the number of armature plates, and/or addition of some other type of RPM metering (black/white tape & opto-triggers, hall effect, etc.) to achieve a better performance.
it appears to be an MTH o scale EMD GP38 loco from the mid to late 1990's.
Reply By prrhorseshoecurve: What type of engine do I have?Inside the shell it says MTH Trains
I'm looking at the Protocraft 3.5 amp Super Tsunami. But I'm not sure which one to choose from there list. Any help would be great!
Mike
Well you could ask Protocraft what might be appropriate for a GP38. I just tried to look at their website and it crashed twice on me, so I gave up.
I THINK the GP38 is a second generation EMD. From the prototype site, that probably means a "PC-827102" for an EMD 645 Prime-mover. That is my guess.
I have a few of the older MTH locos with 2 motors like this, and I have been able to use HO size decoders rated 1.5 amps to run them. If you could do that, it might save you some money. You should measure the current draw for your Loco under full power and stall. You could do this with a meter connected and holding the loco on a test track. Mine came in under 1 amp for the old MTH Baldwin AS616.
I tried it last night, but not sure if I burnt up the HO decoder. LOL Don't have any wire diagrams.
Hi Mike,
Protocraft's Super Tsunami would be a good choice but Norm does not have the proper sound decoder for the GP38-2 as one of his options. If he had the correct Soundtraxx decoder converted to handle the higher amperages, his part number would be PC-827109 EMD 645 Non-Turbo. I have used these Protocraft Super Tsunamis on similar dual motor Atlas units and had good success. I would try contacting Norm at Protocraft and see if he will convert one for you - no real reason he couldn't do it, just has to get the correct HO decoder from Soundtraxx and wire it up with additional heat sink and bridge rectifier. Not sure if there will be an additional charge for this one-off conversion.
Scott K.
Austin, TX
