Recent content by baldwinjl

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    Multimeter testing

    As Fred mentioned, measuring the resistance with no current draw doesn't really prove anything, so it would be hard to compare a soldered and unsoldered joint that way. And a nice fresh rail joiner probably conducts fine, at least at first. Over time, the rail joiner loosens, gets some...
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    Multimeter testing

    Driver-What you are trying to test really doesn't need to be tested, and you'll pretty much drive yourself crazy trying! If the solder joints look good, meaning shiny, and not bubbling up, they are fine. Unless you notice a particular problem, any further checking is honestly a waste of time...
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    CSX...Please 'splain....

    Well, not quite. They are going to burn a lot less fuel with nothing behind them, but they won't get much moved! There will be a point where the ton-miles/gallon peaks, I would think the railroads try to run at that point, as much as possible. Less load, and they are less efficient, and more...
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    DCC Control via iPhone?

    It is certainly doable. I don't think the lag would be an issue at all.
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    capacitor?

    The capacitor should be going on the output of the rectifier on the decoder. PUtting a capacitor on the input will distort the DCC signal if it is doing anything to help power drop outs.
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    Hand laying turnouts, supply problem...

    Hmmm, it has been a while, but the stuff I got was normal mail, and pretty quick. I'd call them!
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    Hand laying turnouts, supply problem...

    I've gotten stuff from fastracks, the shipping was never extravagent. Even got rail, which costs more to ship. I'd double check thihgs, and email them if it seems that off. In my experience they are quite responsive.
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    Are crossovers a no no when using DCC?

    The short answer is no. Depending on the track configuration, you might need to adjust the gapping/wiring of the crossover.
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    Baffled

    I think you will be happy with your DCC choice. The trucks will fall off when you separate the halves, if you don't pull them off when you remove the shell! No soldering involved, it really is straightforward. The decoders come with instructions besides!
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    Spray Painting Track=Electrical problems

    Soldering rail joiners is a snap. Feeders are a little harder, but not hard. As far as feeders to the track, there really isn't a lot of difference between DC and DCC. So don't worry much about that. If you can drive a Herc, you can figure it out!
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    Baffled

    That's the one I used. You don't disassemble the drive. You just lift one frame half off, swap in the decoder, and then put the frame back together.
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    Baffled

    What's the part number?
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    Baffled

    I just popped mine open to have a look. You have to get the shell off. And you have to be willing to separate the frame halves, but not really disassemble the whole thing. It really isn't too bad. The aftermarket decoders (I used an NCE) are more functional than the Atlas installed decoders.
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    Spray Painting Track=Electrical problems

    In my opinion, if paint getting into the rail joiners is causing you trouble, it's just pointing out the fact that counting on the joiners for electrical connectivity is chancy at best. Oxidation, and dirt, would have done the job eventually. Drop more feeders, or solder more joiners (might...
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    Severe Layout Power Failure.

    Is the tip of the iron clean?
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