QUOTE (dbclass50 @ 8 Jan 2008, 22:44)
<{POST_SNAPBACK}>Different things work for different people.
Myself, I run in on analogue, 30mins in each direction on a Gaugemaster rolling road, then check the continuity of all the pickups & then install the decoder. After that at least an hour running in on DCC about half the "normal" running speed with about half the "normal" load.
I also check that all the moving parts are lubricated correctly before use.
Got to agree about the comment that DCC will not make a bad runner any better, it will make a good runner better though.
*** If you work with DCC all the time I agree its a hassle to set on a DC controller, yet its nice sometimes to be sure you are starting with a working loco... I have a 9volt battery connected to two leads with crocodile clips. I use it to test that the loco will actually run on DC before taking the top off, and sometimes to test a motor before installing a decoder.
It clips easily to any old bit of track or the motor leads, and the clips can also just be touched to wheels (not a bad way of checking pickups) so it is hassle free, and slips out of the way when not in use so the workbench isn't cluttered.
I haven't bothered but.... speed control would be easy to add with a couple of resistors on a rotary wsitch or a simple transistor/potentiometer circuit if needed and the whole thing would still fit in the tinyest of "project boxes" ex maplin (UK) or Jaycar (AU) etc....
Regards
Richard
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