RailPro > RailPro Specific Help & Discussion
Installing RailPro in a USA Trains Alco PA-B
rsmproductions:
Happy New Year Everyone!!
I am helping a friend with an install of a RailPro module in both of his USA Trains Alco PA unit and B unit. I've only experienced installing in one of my LGB Forney's which actually went fairly well. The PA-B units are currently wired with Airwire 900. There is a PC board that controls the front lights - cab, headlight, and two number lights. Do I need to remove this board completely and wire each light directly to the RailPro? There is also a smoke unit but I don't see any reference in the RailPro instructions about that.
I would appreciate any help you can give.
Thank you,
Richard
trainman605:
First, one Rail Pro Module will handle both the PA-A and the B unit, so two modules are not needed. You will just need to MU the two units together with a wiring harness, I would also have a wiring plug between the two units so you can disconnect the two. You can also have lights and a speaker in the wiring harness, so a 8-10 wiring harness would probably be needed tor all the different connection needed. I would remove all the Airwire 900 system as none of it will be needed with the Rail Pro System, plus I would replace all lights with 3mm or 5mm LED's 12v with resistors sold on eBay, I use the 5mm LED's for headlights and the 3mm for all other lights. Just remember when wiring the trucks to use the F & R module power outlets and it then the same on the other unit, so all trucks will run in the correct direction. I find Rail Pro is pretty much a pretty easy system to wire, just follow the wiring diagram included with a new unit. I thought I answered this question on another forum, but not sure.
trainman
gregeusa:
I have a few comments. First I have a number of USAT diesels that I run in consists.
I have an ABBBA PA set.
If you start pulling long trains or have grades approaching 2%, I'm pretty darn sure the decoder would not handle 2 locos, so it would make sense to measure your current draw on DC ON YOUR LAYOUT and grades and your trains, before trying to share one decoder among 2 of these locos.
USAT uses overly complex wiring to lights, because they use different voltages, and most are incandescent. That said changing out the PA to LEDs is a BIG task, and getting things like number boards to look better than a bunch of squirrels with flashlights is tough with LEDs in this case.
I would actually work on getting dropping resistors to power the existing lights, but you need to measure voltages on the various lights BEFORE you rip stuff out.
The smoke units came in 2 versions, one a small boiler type that run on about 5 volts, and the other powered heater and fan, and they have their own regulator board.
My best advice is remove the Airwire, but leave the factory boards. Depending on your battery (I'm guessing you are going battery), using the existing lights and the REGULATORS in the factory boards would be easier.
Go to my site for more details on the PA
Greg
trainman605:
Like I said in the previous post one Rail Pro board controlling two locos would work is because I talked with Don at RCS and I asked if one board would work for an LGB F-A unit and also an F-B unit and he said, one board can control two engines. Now if you are talking about more then two locos and using one board that could be too much draw for the one Rail Pro module. I have not done the LGB A & B units to date, but I do have Rail Pro in three of my engines to date.
trainman
JRad:
Will it work; sure, so long as you don't overload the Loco Module.
Is it a good idea? Not in my opinion. If you want lights and sound in the trailing loco there are too many wires required between locos. Only two wire for just motors, but the whole point of RP is the enhanced control. Also, the locos need to be perfectly speed matched.
Modules is every loco solve those problems.
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