Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: Mole Valley update
I have been pretty quiet of late, as my layout has been taking up some of my time.
After much discussion and advice sought from various forums, I took the plunge and decided to go DCC. I bought a 2nd hand Bachmann EZ controller as I thought I'd go simple and cheap to start. Despite it being a basic system, it suits my current needs very well.
I've had a few problems with hardwiring decoders into my older locos, but I have discovered that is probably because I'm using the basic Hornby decoder. The general concensus of opinion it that the Hornby decoders are not man enough to deal with the ampage (I'm sure that's right - I always confuse current, amps, voltage and wattage!) that the older locos require. The result is that I've burnt out a couple of decoders in trying to convert a 1980's Hornby A4 Mallard to DCC. The Hornby decoders are great value though and will have a place in newer locos I add to the collection. I'm thinking of Bachmann decoders now for the older locos, but will have to wait a while before I can invest in them.
I've had a few issues with Hornby decoders and wires coming loose from the chips, but Hornby and the retailer have been very good at replacing them, despite me having cut excess wires off!
I've also swapped a spare class 31 for a couple of Bachmann Tank engines - 0-4-0 and 0-6-0 - with DCC on board from a set. They're not great to look at, but they do enable me to have DCC locos running round the layout. They will be pretty useful as shunters in the future though.
I also picked up a 2nd hand Q1, in Southern livery. I've lost a nut from the coupling rods already, never to be found again, but Hornby have said they will send me a new one. The Q1 turned out to be DCC ready (unbeknown to me when I purchased it or, it seemd, the seller!)P, so it has a decoder on board now ready to run.
In the meantime, I'm turning away from diesel and heading more to steam (other than a DCC 47 which is coming and a couple of the older diesels that ran at the same time of steam, like the warship class). I've picked up a few more steam locos and will update with pictures soon. See the sale board for some bargin BR blue diesels!
A poorly Prairie loco has been fixed, after I discovered that the tyres had come loose on the plastic wheel centres and were rubbing on the frame, causing it to short out. I've learnt so much recently just by taking locos apart and fiddling.
Now I'm getting to a point where I can start thinking about the scenics. I've been putting this off for a while as it's always more exciting to run trains rather than fidle with building. However, it's not quite the same when they just run round a 'track' rather than a proper layout!
All in all, I'm pretyy pleased with my stock and slow progress to date. Ecxiting time are ahead though! Watch this space (and my website, when I get time to update it!) _________________ The Thing (aka Hugh)
Very interesting update Hugh. I'm a little surprised that an 80's loco should burn out a Hornby decoder. Did you do a stall current test?
For decoders, have you considered the TCS T1? It's twice as powerful as the Hornby ones and is £14.95 in some shops I've looked at, such as Galaxy Models and Antics.
The nut from your Q1 is exactly 12 feet from where you dropped it btw.
You don't know in which direction though, do you?
Feedback I've had is that the Hornby decoder cant cope with more than 1 amp drawn by the loco. 80's locos draw a little more than this and *puff*!
I've not seen the TCS T1, but at that price, it's not more than the Hornby. I sahll be looking now. Cheers, poliss _________________ The Thing (aka Hugh)
Hornby very kindly sent me 3 nuts of different sizes, one of which fits perfectly. Q1 runs very smmothly, but keeps shorting out. I've tried the other DCC locos and they run no problem and DC trains run round ok, so must be something with the Q1!
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