New Railway Modellers Forums

Be aware when choosing a relay module, especially for DCC use that they all have different operating requirements. Solid state for instance usually need an AC load to reset their internal logic (similar to latching relays but not quite). Mech/elect relay modules may have their operating trigger volt...

I read on another forum that the Imperium is but a rebadged Liais decoder, which in itself is a knock off of someone else's decoder. Id be exceptionally surprised if that's true. Think Dapol have far too much reputation to damage by using a knock off of a knock off. Rebadging is simply purchasing a...

I read on another forum that the Imperium is but a rebadged Liais decoder, which in itself is a knock off of someone else's decoder.

TTS is as you say limited but the new Hornby TXS is fully featured apart from direct chuff synching, which can be refined by way of the complex speed curve.
No idea about the others.

I use the Aux out of the back of an HM2000 controller as power to the shuttle unit and one of the speed controlled outputs to run the track. Mine is a DC tram shuttle running alongside a DCC train layout.

If DC then yes several such shuttle modules, e.g. Gaugemaster SS1. This module can also be rigged to run from DCC - instructions in the GM newsletter archive. If DCC then there are similar modules, but also the job can be done with a 5-diode pack set across a rail break at each end - only if the loc...

Another urban myth is to put them in the freezer overnight, but let them thaw and dry before powering them up.

ESU decoder test rig is essential. It may not be in constant use but when you need one they are invaluable.

Hornby HM6010 acc decoders can be set to on-off (lights or turntable motor), or pulse (solenoids), or on-off-on (red-green signals). They can be used with the Hornby HM6K or HM7K apps or direct from a regular DCC controller. https://uk.hornby.com/products/hm6010-app-based-accessory-control-r7293?_br...

Alexa - play steam engine sounds.
She doesn’t seem to do diesels tho’.

The older ones as stated had the motor brush tags at the bottom to make direct contact with the pickups. DCC conversion of these was to invert the motor bringing the motor brushes to the top and sleeping the pickups against shorting on the motor body. As far as I know the newer slower motors have th...

HM7000 pin outs but the decoder fits a standard 21-pin socket. Hardware function outputs (HFOs) are switched negatives in conjunction with common positive.

I see the standard Hattons cop out was presented again. This product (and they have many such items) does not work with Hornby controllers. Odd that when the Hornby kit is NMRA compliant and Hattons kit doesn't even come with clear instructions and is of dubious heritage, prior to DCC concepts provi...

Is it actually putting out 0 or 12v or is it the motor going from 0 to max in a couple of volts. Check on load with a meter.

My layout room sockets are under the bench so I use three remote control switches set to the same address to power up the layout and my PC and a bench top power strip for such things as soldering iron, work lamp , etc from a single button press. At days end I press the off button and it all shuts do...