Has anyone else used HO DCC cards in a Weaver loco?

I tried an NCE D13SRJ in a chain drive weaver RS3 without success. The loco ran for a short period before the decoder failed. Next time I would use something like an NCE408

Colin

I'm trying a MRC card for a 244 prime mover.

I would check the current draw of your locomotive if possible. Which locomotive do you have? I did have an economy n scale  decoder (1.3 amp constant current rating) in my Polar express Berkshire and it ran fine.  

Having a Digitrax Zephyr from my previous n scale layout, I decided to try DCC in three rail ac. I used a digitrax DG583S (large scale)  in a williams semi scale hudson. The Williams would not run at scale speeds on any curves before the conversion. With the Digitrax Back EMF (scaleable speed stabilization or cruise control), I am now able to get around Marx O34 curves at scale speeds and no slowing down or speeding up! Very happy with  it. I am waiting on two digitrax ho decoders (1.5 amp with two amp peak current) for my conventional lionel hudson and Polar express Berkshire. Both will have the scaleable speed stabilization (cruise control). I should have the parts by this week. I will shoot a video and post when I finish. 

Colin, it is Weaver RS-3, the old center tower chain drive model. I decided on the large gauge decoders(one sound, one motor) because I just don't want the worry. Having absolutely no experience with DCC, better off with some kind of safety margin. The MRC card is for O scale and the NCE 408 can certainly handle the Weaver....and the MRC card has the 244 prime mover amongst its sounds....

Smart move going big. I ran my locomotives using a dc power pack (reverse module removed) with meters to see what kind of current my locomotives drew. I just got my Diditrax Ho decoders today. I have one installed in a Lionel can motored Steam loco and I like what I see. It's a Polar express conventional locomotive. It draws much less than the 2 amp limit of the decoder i bought. Reason for my using digitrax decoder is that I need the transponding decoder for the future. Still at under thirty bucks a pop I am quite happy! Trying to do O gauge on the cheap since I recently retired and am on a fixed income.

My sound will come from the surround trax I have from the N scale layout. Hope to have it connected in a few weeks or so. 

Please let us know your results. 

Happy Holidays!!

Dominic

I tested the sound card today with the original MRC speaker; not bad, found the horn and bell that I wanted and the 244 prime mover sounds like a 244. Plenty of volume too! I am replacing the speaker with the "Large oval speaker" and enclosure. (See, I learned a lot hanging out here)

I have used one in a Weaver Brass 0-4-0.    The single motor diesels draw too much current HO rated (less than 2 amps) do not work.   There are really not HO or O or whateve, you need to determine the current draw and use one with enough capacity.   The NCE D408SR will work with any O Scale Loco I have seen including old Max Greys with open frame motors.

Nice to know, Jim! I won't have to worry about an old GEM  B6s that I love to have clunking around the tracks....

The NCE D408SR decoders are pretty much bullet proof.    They have a 4 amp continuous rating and about 10-12 amp stall rating.    I have a bunch in use with not problems.    They also have about 6 functions for lights and other stuff.     I only use lights.   but if you screw up and run up a light circuit, you can reprogram one of the other functions for that light.    If you burn one up out of warranty, NCE will replace it for $25.    I have not had that happen yet.   

I have burned up a few lighter rated ones.    I did try a lenz 1.5 amp rated in a weaver single motor RS3.   It didn't burn up becuase the decoder is protected with a built-in circuit breaker.   It ran fine light, but as soon as put a train on it and tried to run it, the breaker would kick out and stop the loco.    It didn't work.

I have used 1.5 amp rated (HO size) decoders in some of the newer 2 motor  units such as the RS11s.    When I measured current draw on one, it was under 1 amp.   That has worked fine.

After playing around with a couple of different speakers, I've decided to go with the 1.10" Mega Bass speakers whenever I can, which means both RS-3's will get one.

The Mega Bass speaker and enclosure is in the RS-3; good sound even with an MRC card and it is LOUD!