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Welcome to another DCC Edition of the SBS4DCC newsletter.
Wow! I just realized this is my first newsletter for 2015 and it's March already. How did that happen?
Life has been full the past few months, family-business-job, but I have managed to put together this edition of the Backshop Flyer as well as add some really cool new content to the site I hope you will enjoy.
Many of you noticed I got a little love in a recent issue of MR. How about that... Better than seeing my smiling face on the cover of the Rolling Stone...
By the way... Good news! All of the current wheel and axle wiper products that are out of stock are being manufactured as I write this and should be available around April 1. No joke. Sorry. No new models yet but I do have a number of designs in the works including models for HOn3 and O Scales.
O Scale modelers take note... 2015 should be your year for DCC.
In the last edition, I announced several new models of Adapter Boards from Zimo that will improve the implementation of DCC for O Scale modelers significantly.
Many of these new large scale decoders will make the conversion of older HO locomotives with high amperage motors easier too.
Be sure to check it out, no matter what scale you model. Links to all of the new content can be found in this newsletter.
It really is a great time to be a... Digital Model Railroader!
So with that... All Aboard!
All the best, Bryan
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Featured Product
The new TCS WOW-Diesel is In Stock and ready to ship ...
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TCS WOWSound DCC Sound Decoder WOW-101-Diesel EMD
This 6-function, 9-Pin JST, Plugin diesel sound decoder brings the superior audio quality and operational performance of WOWSound to your diesel locomotive. Included are all of the amazing features from the WOWSteam including Audio Assist™, Realistic Braking, and Prototypical Operation.
This decoder has a 9-Pin JST on the front. It is compatible with any T-Series harness and also includes an auxiliary harness for attaching your speaker, Keep-Alive™, and for the additional lighting functions (F3 and F4).
For a complete list of sounds available on this decoder visit the sound list here.
Features:
- Includes 567 Non-Turbo, 567 Turbo, 645 Turbo, 710 Turbo Locomotive Sounds!
- True CD Quality Sound! No one else even comes close.
- 44,100 Samples Per Second at 16 bit resolution.
- Prototypical Operatio for naturally realistic engine sounds.
- Optional Keep-Alive for skip free sound and uninterrupted performance.
- And many more features. Check back for feature updates!
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New SBS4DCC Speaker Enclosures
Another hard to find item available directly from SBS4DCC...
A must-have for your next O or G scale installation.
Additional sizes are on order and due very soon. These baffles also fit many of the common AHD and Soundtraxx speaker models.
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SBS4DCC Dual Diesel and Multi-Diesel LokSound v4.0 Sound Files
I have been experimenting with an idea recently to come up with a way to offer dual diesel files for a few of the popular locomotives including E-units, the ubiquitous DDA40X, and a personal favorite, the Alco DL-109.
The effect is reasonably satisfying and a solid stand-in until Matt and the ESU team can work their magic and produce something better.
The caveat is this option is only available for the LokSound v4.0 line of decoders.
I will add details to my site in the coming weeks about how to do this yourself but it does require you to own a LokProgrammer.
I will also be adding these options to the sound file selection box for easy ordering in the coming weeks for those who don't care to roll their own.
More importantly, this experiment has led me to a really neat solution for my SBS4DCC R-T-R Sound Cars... Multiple unit diesel consists from a single decoders.
The caveat is the file is limited to a single prime mover. I'm not ready to try multiple primes yet...
The effect is really pretty impressive and can be used in a lot of applications.
Tell me that's not cool.
Oh yeah... Speaking of custom files, also available today. Steam with a Penna Banshee whistle.
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New Pages Added To Tutorials, Tips & Tricks
In between all of the stuff of life, I managed to get a new page of invaluable content added to the site recently.
Hope you find it useful!
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Ok, Ok... Not DCC But Noteworthy New Products
So... I'm not really doing an all-products newsletter these days but these new products are just too cool to ignore...
and finally back in stock...
and looky what I found...
and they are new in the box to boot!
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Digitrax SFX006 Decoder Firmware Update
Digitrax has requested user to return the SFX006 decoders produced through January, 2015 under warranty for a firmware update. They did not specify the nature of the issue.
All SBS4DCC inventory has been inspected and affected customers have been notified.
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Digitrax Decoder for N Scale Atlas S-2
Digitrax has announced the upcoming release of the N Scale Atlas S-2 will use the DZ126IN or DZ146IN decoder. Per Digitrax per Atlas, the model is equipped with a NEM651 socket.
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New ESU LokSound L Series Decoder
The brand new LokSound L V4.0 and LokSound L Select decoders are made to fill a huge void in the O scale DCC market. For years now many have been using a large scale non sound decoder for the motor and wasting an HO Scale DCC and Sound decoder to operate the sound as no High Amperage, High Quality sound decoder has been available that will fit comfortably into an O scale locomotive. The wait is finally over! The LokSound L V4.0 and LokSound L Select decoders will easily use the many respective ESU V4.0 and Select sound files already on the market as they are of course programmable with the famous ESU LokProgrammer hardware.
- 3A Motor Circuit capable of driving 1 or 2 motors
- 9 Function Outputs, 2 Servo Outputs, 3 Hall Sensor Inputs
- 2 Speaker Outputs (One Channel)
- External PowerPack and Volume Control Capability
- All of the other great features typically found in the LokSound decoders
- Atlas "O" (and others) Plug-N-Play compatability, adapter board included
- Dimensions: 2.0 x 1.0 in (52 x 26 mm)
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New ESU Contact Information
ESU, LLC is moving. Growth in the North American market has led them to expand their facilities to better serve our collective needs.
The new phone numbers are:
Sales: 570-980-1980
Service/Support: 570-980-1981
The new mailing address effective immediately is:
ESU, LLC
23 Howard Street
Montoursville, PA 17754.
Good luck ESU. Keep on growing!
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More news and new products from ESU...
ESU has announced several new products for delivery in 2015.
They have added three new models to their extensive selection of Adapter Boards including:
While the physical speaker is identical between both brands, the ESU model will feature a slightly different enclosure. The actual overall dimensions are still unpublished but I believe they will be close to 34mm x 13.8mm x 6mm (without cable) and will come pre-wired.
This was a tough choice made to avoid a cost increase on the basic decoder. I note that no other brand includes a speaker and I rarely use the model that was included so it's probably not a big deal. I also note that my
In other news, ESU has recently released version 4.4.16 of the LokProgrammer software. I have been using for a week or so and it seems fairly stable. The have also released version 1.6 of the template pack.
Just a reminder... Anyone can use the LokProgrammer software, even without the device, to calculate the required CV values for desired programming changes. This is a really handy tool and so much easier than trying to read the manual and calculate the values from that text. Simply download and install the software on your PC, open the desired sound file or create a new one from the default templates, make the desired changes to the file, then... and here's the key... simply select "Tools > Show Changed CVs" from the menu bar and the software will open a dialog box showing the values you would need to manually program into the decoder. Really easy. Very powerful.
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JMRI 3.10.1 Production Version
Released on January 11, 2015. Version 3.10.1 is recommended for general use, including by new users.
For more information on this test release, please read the JMRI 3.10.1 Release Notes, which also contains the download links.
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MRC 1520 Decoder Dr. DCC Decoder Programmer and Analyzer
Excellent tool for all DCC users. Plug in a new decoder BEFORE installation and check all of its functions before use. Easily perform programming and decoder read back functions. Program, read back, or test decoders by using a section of track or by plugging a decoder into the 8 pin NMRA socket enclosed on the DECODER DR.DECODER DR. offers MRC's Unique TESTING FEATURE and all these additional features - Easy programming
- Read DCC decoders
- Program DCC decoders
- Reassign DCC decoders addresses
- Reset DCC decoders to factory defaults
- TEST decoders including cv's such as speed control, head lights, flash rates and all 28 functions including bells, horns, etc.
- Backlit LCD screen
- 8-pin NMRA decoder socket for use with all decoders that have a harness
- Works with all NMRA compliant decoders & locomotives in O, G, HO, N and Z scale
These are showing up as available around the web so I expect delivery any day. Look for a review on this product in the next edition of the Backshop Flyer.
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New NCE No-Halt "Keep-Alive" Device
Dimensions: 1.250" x 0.640" x 0.290" (32 x 16 x 7.5 mm)
Eliminates or reduces the following due to dirty track or unwired switch frogs:
- Stalling
- Sound interruption
- Light flicker
Caution: Do not exceed DCC track voltage of 15 volts
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New QSI Support and Contact Information
QSI has announced the following contact information to help with support issues.
If you are calling QSI Solutions, please continue to call 1-802-448-9899 or email sales@qsisolutions.com or support@qsisolutions.com.
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New Kato-Soundtraxx DC Sound System
In-Cab Sound from the comfort of your homeThe Analog Sound Box has been developed as a joint effort between engineers at Kato and Soundtraxx to craft a simple, versatile, and powerful sound system for use on non-DCC layouts. Completely self-contained, the ASB has a built in speaker and will allow modelers to enjoy an "In-Cab" experience while operating their favorite trains! Using separate plug-in sound "containers", cartridges each with their own individual sound and programming sets (even including things like momentum!), the ASB is a "smart" device, not just making sounds but reacting appropriately to the actions of your locomotives by reading back-EMF from the motors. Steam locomotive chuffs will speed up and slow down according to the speed of the locomotive itself; not just the position of the throttle, making the sound a properly interactive experience! The new Analog Sound Box will ship with an included EMD 1st Generation Diesel sound container, appropriate for E and F-units or other older diesel locomotives! Other sound containers will be available around the time of release (details coming soon).
The new sound system is in stock and ready to ship.
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New TCS Motherboard Adapter Board
This motherboard is designed to replace the existing circuit board in a Bachmann Raymond 4-4-0. This board is designed to receive a WOW121 or EU621 decoder and provides an onboard Keep-Alive™ (KA2 style) for uninterrupted performance over troublesome tracks. This motherboard includes onboard resistors for all of the LED solder pads.
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New TCS Heat Shrink Tubing
Train Control Systems (TCS) has released a new size of their popular heat shrink tubing to aid in protecting the solder joints of hardwired installations. The tubing is now available in two sizes:
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TCS K6D4 N Scale Drop-In Decoder Firmware Update
TCS has updated the firmware in their 1556 K4D6 motor decoders for the Kato Union Pacific FEF-3. Any TCS 1556 K4D6 manufactured or shipped from the factory after 1-22-2015 will have the updated firmware.
The only way to tell for sure which version decoder you have is to read the date code in CV250 = Day, CV251 = Month and CV252 = year.
If they have an earlier date code, please return them to TCS under warranty for reprogramming.
All SBS4DCC inventory has been inspected and affected customers have been notified.
From TCS, "Our motor control has always been known for it's slow speed control with almost any DC motor including coreless motors but the tiny size of the coreless motor in the FEF has found a chink in the armor. We apologize for this inconvenience." Updated TCS 1556 K6D4 decoders are in stock at SBS4DCC and ready to ship.
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Team Digital DCCBreak Digital Circuit Breaker
Team Digital has released the DCCBreak digital circuit breaker. The DCCBreak features timed start-up so that you can control how the layout is energized on start-up.
SBS4DCC is now stocking the full Team Digital product line to offer you a great product and quick delivery at a great price. All products are in stock and ready to ship.
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Zimo ZCS Version 4.08 Now Available
ZCS Version 4.08, the ZIMO CV Setting Tool, was released on 2-23-2015.
A big round of applause to Matthias Manhart for his continued efforts to bring major improvements to this offering.
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New Zimo Adapter Boards Are Perfect For O Scale Decoder Installations
Zimo has announced two new models of Adapter Boards that will greatly improve the use of DCC by large scale modelers.
O Scale motors require more amperage than N or HO but don't require the massive large scale decoders currently available.
O Scale models benefit from larger, more powerful speakers so the sound "matches" the size of the model and to allow for better low-end bass response at lower volumes.
Most products on the market today either have undersized motor circuits and amps or are massively oversized models, both physically and electrically, that were really designed for use in G Scale models.
The new Zimo Adapter Boards fill that void in decoder specifications by providing increased motor amperage and power from the sound amplifier while retaining the smaller footprint of "Small Scale" decoders. The new models are:
The ADAMKL and ADAMTC adapter boards increase the rated motor output of most MTC-21 decoders to 1.8A continuous load.
The ADAMKL and ADAMTC adapter boards increase the rated amplifier output of the Zimo MX644C to 3 watts at 4 to 8 ohms speaker impedance.
The boards can be used with any NEM 660 compliant decoder.
Zimo also offers the ADAPLU model that incorporates all of the same features but utilizes the PLuX22 connector.
The new Adapter Boards are sure to be a welcome addition by most O Scale modelers.
It is important to note these new Adapter Boards can also simplify the task of converting many of those older HO scale brass models with motors that exceed the continuous load rating of most decoders that are currently available. Using an adapter board will surely be easier than re-motoring a vintage PFM smoker.
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Zimo also offers the ADAPLU model that incorporates many of the same features of the new boards but utilizes the PLuX22 connector.
The new Adapter Boards are sure to be a welcome addition by most O Scale modelers.
It is important to note these new Adapter Boards can also simplify the task of converting many of those older HO scale brass models with motors that exceed the continuous load rating of most decoders that are currently available. Using an adapter board will surely be easier than re-motoring a vintage PFM smoker.
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Flag Stop...
What YOU See Is What I Have
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SBS4DCC - Stock Status Information
Just a reminder that SBS4DCC features real-time inventory tracking. If it says it is in stock... it IS... I try to maintain a strong selection of DCC and Model Railroad products and try not to hide what I do not stock yet. I appreciate the opportunity to provide catalog items when you can wait a few extra days as this makes a huge difference in my ability to grow and expand my selection.
Every now and then, I do run out of an item. Backorders are accepted on many stock items and orders can still be placed for those items through the web store.
Don't see what you need? I have a growing list of suppliers so be sure to ask about any product you need that is not listed on my site.
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Finally! A small speaker that will rock your world.
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Four Sizes
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Eight Baffles
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Thirty Two Sweet Speaker Options
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SBS4DCC Varnish Lighting
Bring your crack passenger trains to life with the brilliance and intensity of flicker-free LED lighting at an affordable price.
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Constant Non-Directional Design
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Expandable Anti-Flicker Circuit
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DCC-Friendly Design
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Adjustable Brightness
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Z, N and HO Scale Models Available
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Top
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The ESU LokTester is a stand-alone DCC Decoder Test Station compatible with any brand of decoder or command station.
Connections:
Screw Terminal
Next18 NEM661
6-Pin NEM651
8-Pin NEM652
PluX NEM658
21MTC NEM660
Features:
6 Function LEDs
5-pole Motor
20mm Speaker
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The MRT Accutrak II Speedometer is a free standing, battery operated scale speedometer for 9mm, N, 4mm, HO scales. The Accutrack II provides additional clearance for double stacks, AutoMax and other limited clearance cars.
Its design is based upon infrared beams which create a "trap" zone through which the train travels.
Ideal for DCC speed matching DCC
Operates on 2 AAA batteries
Scale Selectable - N (1:148 and 1:160) or OO/HO (1:76.4 and 1:87)
Display in mph or kph
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Use this handy portable tool to keep your servos centered while you mount them under the layout. The tool consists of a battery box connected to a small circuit board that continuously puts out a centering signal for the servo (1.5 ms pulse). Keeping your servos properly centered while mounting is the key to making the servos work best. The battery box has an on/off switch to save your batteries when not in use. Everyone using servos for turnouts needs one of these. Requires 3 AA batteries.
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RRampMeter is now marketed by DCC Specialties! The only inexpensive device that accurately measures DCC Volts/Amps. Also measures AC and DC Volts/Amps.
Costs less than DVMs that cannot measure DCC.
Ver I, II, & III rated at 6 Amps and Ver IV rated at 20 Amps.
Measures true RMS Volts/Amps, +/- 2%.
Suitable for all scales.
No batteries required.
Designed for Left/Right-hand use.
PCB length 5.63"; Enclosure length 4", width 2", height 1.25"
4 Styles Available Adjustable contacts permit direct track voltage measurements for all scales.
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DCC Calculators & Reference...
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And don't forget I carry a fantastic selection of DCC products from all of the best manufacturers including CT Elektroniks, Digitrax, Electronic Solutions Ulm (ESU), Lenz,MRC, NCE, QSI Solutions, Roco Z21, Soundtraxx, TCS and Zimo.
Visit SBS4DCC today!
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Copyright © 2015. All Rights Reserved.
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