Question about new Athearn Big-Boy on DC

[upbnsffan]

Question about new Athearn Big-Boy on DC

Hello,   I was reading the Soundtraxx Tsunami quick-start guide which came with my new Athearn Big-Boy before test  running it, and came across a paragraph that concerned me.   I will be running it on our DC layout, and the instructions say it is not recommended to run a Tsunami sound-equipped loco with a pulse power pack.   We use MRC Tech II 2500 power packs on our layout - Should we be concerned?

Thanks,
William
upbnsffan

[Hyperion]

The 2500 is definitely a pulse power pack.  And it's one that you cannot turn the pulse off with either.

I can't speak for what it'll do to the decoder, but I'm certain they wouldn't tell you not to run it on one if it wasn't something you didn't want to do.  It'll either risk damaging the very expensive decoder or not run well on that power pack -- either way, not something you want to do.

EDIT:  It appears from an internet search, that all dual-mode decoders do not like pulse DC power.  And it won't damage the decoder -- which is the good news.  But it'll also likely not run well, if it does at all -- the bad news.