After the last shipment arrived, I quickly wanted to see how this DCC loco would perform. I didn't want to use the actual layout, since the old controllers were still connected to it, and since I needed some sort of loop for further tests, a new separate oval loop was constructed, using the same PIKO track. I was also working on various formulas for automatic control of the trains, and this had to be tested in a consistent manner, and the new oval was just right for this. I had a pleasant surprise when I opened the package from Lenz, because besides the command station, I also found a Lenz DCC Silver decoder, which you were supposed to get only if the order came from North America; but anyway, a free decoder ! And since the spare parts for the PIKO BR 01.5 had to be installed, I figured this loco would make a perfect candidate for
this first decoder. The decoder comes with a little book, that explains very well how you must connect the various wires. Basically all you need to do is remove the filtering capacitors and inductors commonly found on the DC locos, connect the wires that take current from the wheels straight to the decoder, and then connect the dedicated wires from the decoder to the engine. And this is exactly what was done in the photo on the right. The BR 01.5 has its motor in the tender, so this is were the decoder was placed. The front of the loco also draws current from its own wheels, but this feed directly the light bulb used for the front headlights, and since no functions were available on this loco, the corresponding wires were later cut from the decoder.
this first decoder. The decoder comes with a little book, that explains very well how you must connect the various wires. Basically all you need to do is remove the filtering capacitors and inductors commonly found on the DC locos, connect the wires that take current from the wheels straight to the decoder, and then connect the dedicated wires from the decoder to the engine. And this is exactly what was done in the photo on the right. The BR 01.5 has its motor in the tender, so this is were the decoder was placed. The front of the loco also draws current from its own wheels, but this feed directly the light bulb used for the front headlights, and since no functions were available on this loco, the corresponding wires were later cut from the decoder.
The Lenz BR 66 was impressing. On the original packing there's a little bag containing lots of small details (small pipes, various ornaments etc) that can be mounted on the loco. This were not mounted (actually there are in the same bag to this day), but the piston rods and small stairs from the front drive had to be removed, as specified by the Lenz instructions, so the loco could negotiate the 380mm radius used on the oval constructed.The loco is fitted with spring buffers, just like the prototype. I was further impressed by the speed the loco had on its lowest speed step, so as the engine barely moves. All but the front wheel are powered by the motor, so there should be no problems in the future for the grades on the actual layout. Going full speed ahead presents no problems, and the loco is able to take the abrupt, 380mm radius with no problems, however going backwards, even at a small speed, causes derailments as soon as the curve is reached, probably because of the small set of wheels on the back. This is not critical at all, because most of the time the loco will be set to forward motion anyway. The back-EMF function in the decoder assured a steady speed, regardless of straight or curved track. This is unlike the old DC locos, were this was impossible - you could get the loco to go very slow on a straight piece of track, but as it entered a curve, it stalled, because the friction involved grew, and there was no automatic mechanism to correct this. I found the back-emf to be also working in the PIKO BR 01.5, although because of the relative old motor, the performances of the Lenz engine could not be matched. Coupled with a bell sound, a short and a long whistle available in the Lenz BR 66, at 180 EUR, this proved to be a very good investement (later I would discover the "Made in China" logo on the back of the loco - partially explaining the reduced price - but the quality is nonetheless impressive).
After encountering the same lack of electrical connection described in an older post, the decision was made to solder all the track pieces together, using thin wires, just as was done on the actual layout. The problems with the interference of the sparks and the optical detectors dissapeared, as no false readings were ever encountered.
Lenz also manufactures a computer interface, that connects to the USB port, so the problem of computer-controlling the layout seems solved.
Bottom line: DCC was the way to go, and cost of the decoders for the remaining locos was small compared to the value that the system brings.
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