DCC Impulses Column - 11
decoder can be read in less than a minute. With JMRI, it will
take closer to 30 minutes.
Other ESU products
While they are known for decoders in the American market,
ESU makes lots of things in the world of DCC. Most are sold in
the USA.
The ECoS DCC system [8] and its accessories are one of the
more inventive units out there with user definable loco names
and even the ability to have a color photo of your loco when
you select it. But that could be a column in itself.
The ESU decoder tester [9] has been one of my favorites for
years. Initially it had a motor, a 100-ohm speaker and LEDs on
the board for decoder testing and set up. Now that LokSound
decoders no longer use 100-ohm speakers, the tester allows
switch selection between 100 and 16 ohms for compatibility
with all decoders. There are 6 LEDs to show what’s going on
with all functions. There are connectors for every imaginable
decoder and clip terminals for decoders with wires.
In Europe, ESU sells their own line of locomotives. Matt dem-
onstrated a German electric [10] with amazing features. A
few are:
Pantographs that react to the loco direction and even
bounce as they come out and contact the catenary.
Amazing lighting effects including cab lights, dash lights,
sparks from the drive motor and off the brakes when they
are applied quickly.
Flange squeal sounds that react to track conditions, like
going through S-curves, and even frog thump in turnouts.
MRH-Dec 2014
