need advise on mixing engines with sound vs DDC only

[milw156]

I run A-B-B lash ups of IM SP "Black Widow" F units. I have a TCS drop in decoder in the A unit. The B units have Loksound Select Micros. So, 2 of the 3 units have sound. That said, I do turn the volume down on each B unit. I have a video showing a "run by" and hearing two 567s rumble by is pretty cool 

Don't tease us, video or it did not happen!

[Mike Madonna]

Don't tease us, video or it did not happen!

You got it!

[carlso]

Mike,

Thanks for the vid., those are real sweet and the prime movers sound "right on" with the two sound units they sure have that 1:1 sound. Quite a difference with the two.

One question for you. The TCS is in the A unit and does the mars light blink like that all the time or does it act properly after more volts are added? Have you attempted to adjust the IM locos to run with KATO units?

Carl

[Mike Madonna]

Hey Carl,
The Mars light for some reason shows up like it's "blinking" in the video. When viewed in person, it acts like it's doing the correct "figure 8" pattern. You've seen the look with prototype SP's GS-4s and F units in videos I hope. As for matching with Kato units, that would be "no" I do not own any Kato Fs. All IM F units. I did have to match the TCS A unit to the Loksound B units. This did take a little while, but they do run well together. JD (Colombo) mentioned about LokPilot decoders w/ the Loksound. That would be the better set up. I plan to do that to my next set....

[carlso]

Thanks Mike.


I only have two IM units and 8 KATO's so I will  most likely have to rune the IM's alone. I do not like the lack of speed when needed. Yes, I have a Richmond controls mars set up in my GS-4, it's cool.

Anyway, the two B units sound great together. Oh BTW, I saw and add for an ESU Nano decoder on Streamlined Backshop's web page. Have you seen or heard on anyone using one of them?

carl

[jdcolombo]

The ESU Nano is not due out until 3Q of this year according to ESU's website.  It is REALLY small - 7mm x 8mm by 2.5mm thick, with 4 function outputs (!).

But honestly, I would be MUCH more excited by a slightly smaller LokSound select micro that was 9mm wide instead of the current 10.6mm.  A 9mm-wide LokSound would solve a host of installation issues in N-scale hood diesels.  And it clearly is doable - the board in the Atlas S-2 is 8.5mm wide . . .

John C.

[Mike Madonna]

Gentleman,

I do not believe the "Nano" is a motor control decoder, light functions only.

[jdcolombo]

Gentleman,

I do not believe the "Nano" is a motor control decoder, light functions only.

Nope - it IS a motor decoder, with four functions and a 1-amp max (with functions):

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-nano-standard/

John C.

[John]

I tried to run it with P42 with a TCS decoder and they were completely different. The TCS started running on throttle setting 1. The digitrax started at 9. Makes me want to standardize on one brand.

Or you could learn how to use the various settings in the decoder that allow you to match different brand decoders to run alike .. speed tables and trim values will do that .. jmri can help with that task

[Mike Madonna]

Nope - it IS a motor decoder, with four functions and a 1-amp max (with functions):

http://www.esu.eu/en/products/lokpilot/lokpilot-nano-standard/

John C.

I stand corrected... thank you, sir. Looks very promising!

[carlso]

Yes guys, I think this is good news and worth waiting for. I agree John that they should be able to reduce the width of the Select Micro and just think that they would have quite a jump on the field for an excellent motor control decoder. What I think will be cool is that I could have a 4 unit lashup with two sound, Select Micro, decoders and then could match the other non sound units up with the same excellent motor control as the sound units have. How easy that would be.

Carl