I have 2 questions. 1. If your using DCC and have a wye, do you still have to insulate it off? 2. What decoder should I use with an Atlas trainman GP38-2?
Yes you will have to insulate it or better yet isolate it and use a reverser for that section. That way when the locomotive goes around it,it won't try to reverse directions when it comes out. The decoder you will want for the Atlas train man is either the TCS A4X or A6X. If you are going to do a Frisco locomotive I would suggest the A6X. I can get you a really good deal on either of these. email me privately so that we can discuss this off forum. My email address is bob.wintlejr@att.net Bob Wintle
I worked about 7 hours on the tractor today so I had a lot of time to think and I wondered, what SOUND decoder would work for the Atlas trainman GP38-2? And yes it is frisco.
The decoder you would want to buy is a Soundtraxx Tsunami non turbo charged EMD 645. You would want to buy the Atlas board type of Decoder. You can get a good price on it from Litchfield Station. $79 shipped. Their website is www.litchfieldstation.com . This is where I buy alot of my items. You will also need a speaker. Bruce at Litchfield can tell you which one. Bob
Ok, I think I may get the sound decoder, the Power cab and a coupler DH123AT decoders from my BB engines and that speaker from Litchfield station. What speaker is it? Also, My dad just told me that he will try to finish planting corn tonight so I have a very good chance of coming tomorrow.
I agree with Bob on the Tsunami Sound Decoder as it will be the easiest and most economical for you to use. The other major player in sound decoders is QSI, but they need a programmer ($80) to to much of the programming beyond the basics. Having said that, programming sound decoders takes a more powerful Booster than ones that don't. Bob needs to chime in here, but I believe the minimum should be 7 Amps, but maybe not. Watch the thread and/or talk to Bob tomorrow and together you can map out all of the items that you need. Might as well get it right the first time! Bob Hoover FriscoFriend
I use a Digitrax Zephyr to program all the decoders I use. It is a 2.5amp system. It uses something called Blast mode programming. That boosts the power to the programming track for brevity sake. I have no problems programming. I have had to install a 1K to 10K resistor acrosss the programming track on some decoders. As we all know from our Electronics studies this tricks the Command station into actually seeing less resistance. It is Magic. Professor Bob sign off for now.
