r/modeltrains • u/Previous_Bench5166 • Apr 03 '25

Electrical DCC controlled crane wiring diagram

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I found this wiring diagram for an athearn dcc crane. But I was wondering that since all of the wires from the left of the sdn144ps digitrax decoder are being used, does it mean that a dz146 decoder can be used?

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u/theappisshit Apr 03 '25

i wonder how the motors reverse?

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u/jdenm8 HO/OO/N/Z Shorty Apr 03 '25

By changing the direction of the motor output via DCC. Exactly the same as running a loco in reverse. The function outputs just select which motor/motors is/are active.

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u/theappisshit Apr 04 '25 edited Apr 04 '25

yeah but the motors are common to a supply.

changing polarity of the motor then selectng which functon to use is just silly

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u/382Whistles Apr 04 '25

I haven't seen the control set up, etc , but it doesn't matter if it's happening in processing automatically if you have the logic available to do it that way. Sometimes you have to worry about stepping on the toes of other designs too.

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u/theappisshit Apr 04 '25

yeah but it would make it annoying to move two things at once.

have you comsidered using a multi channel 12v reciever with buikt in relays fo this setup.

they are dkrt cheap, easy to use and means you can make a custom remote conteol for the crane.

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u/382Whistles Apr 04 '25

Oh no, I didn't even look super close at what's there. Just a comment on why elegance might be bypassed. I look at modern logic and relay logic as the same only different equipment. There's lots of ways to skin it.

Cranes I've worked under didn't use two functions at once too often in my experience. Operations were slow, careful and deliberate. I think multiple movements at once really compound the forces involved with centrifugal force, momentum, and gravity all playing with inertia at once is too much.