decoder overloads and Mars Lights

[volcano]

First a warning -- several of you may know this already but USA Trains pull a lot of current
Got myself a Massoth XL chip from GRO put it in my newly acquired EMD F3 power car and blew the chip -- PANIC !!
Stop panicing and investigate - put an ammeter on the ONE of the motors and stalled it - IT PULLED 3.5 AMPS !!
I should be prosecuted for cruelty to decoders, then put in an order to Muns for new kit.
Also fitted sound to driving car with mods to all the lighting including a MARS light - its a kit from a guy in the states called Dave Bodnar trading as http://www.trainelectronics.com/ its a simple kit that runs at 12 volts so set all the led resistors to 12v and the massoth lighting outputs also to 12v. and the mars light to button 7 I think it's ace but will let you judge - that's if I can get my utube vid to connect

David Appleby

 

[trammayo]

First a warning -- several of you may know this already but USA Trains pull a lot of current
Got myself a Massoth XL chip from GRO put it in my newly acquired EMD F3 power car and blew the chip -- PANIC !!
Stop panicing and investigate - put an ammeter on the ONE of the motors and stalled it - IT PULLED 3.5 AMPS !!
I should be prosecuted for cruelty to decoders, then put in an order to Muns for new kit.
Also fitted sound to driving car with mods to all the lighting including a MARS light - its a kit from a guy in the states called Dave Bodnar trading as http://www.trainelectronics.com/ its a simple kit that runs at 12 volts so set all the led resistors to 12v and the massoth lighting outputs also to 12v. and the mars light to button 7 I think it's ace but will let you judge - that's if I can get my utube vid to connect

David Appleby

When I saw the thread title, I thought "Astronomy?" Then I saw your othe posting 'Videos'! That USAT is power greedy beast. I'm all analogue - I think if ever I ventured into DCC I'd need a fire extinguisher with me (based on how I manage to blow and trip things on DC!). Congrats on your first video posting.

 

[Greg Elmassian]

Early in DCC and 1:29 scale, the USAT locos blew up the LS decoders we had, Digitrax, etc.

NCE came out with a 4 amp and and 8 amp decoder, and only the 8 amp was warranted for use on USA Trains locos. 11 amps has been seen with full stall on 2 motors.

Their average running current is not abnormally high, but the stall current can eat a timid decoder.

Greg