2-6-6-2 & 2-10-2 tender question

[VTBob]

Hello,

Question on the 2-6-6-2 tender & the 2-10-2 DCC tender:

Can I switch just the tender without having the switch out the guts of the tenders in order to run my Mallet on DCC, or will I burn out both units?

Thanks,
The guy formerly known as Red

[Atlantic Central]

Zytx,

From what I understand, those two tenders do NOT interchange. the simpler solution would be to buy a decoder for the 2-6-6-2.

Sheldon

[rogertra]

Tender swaps are easy IF you keep the circuit board with the locomotive.

Example.  You want to use the 2-10-2 tender behind the 2-6-6-2.

Remove the 2-6-6-2's original circuit board from the 2-6-6-2's tender.

Place the 2-6-6-2's circuit board into the 2-10-2 tender and store the 2-10-2 circuit board in a safe place.

You will now be able to run the 2-6-6-2 with the 2-10-2 tender.

As I'm not familiar with these two tenders, there may be a little kitbashing to get the circuit board to fit into the new tender.


Now, what about the old 2-10-2 curcuit board?

Simple, you install that into whatever tender you intend to use behind the 2-10-2.

Pretty easy to do.

Of course, MR Bachmann, it would be MUCH easier if Bachmann would simply standardise on both the placement of the male and female connectors on the locomotives and circuit boards so that tenders could be freely swapped between locos.

[VTBob]

that's not quite what I had in mind. My question was asking if I swapped tenders, would I be able to run the 2-6-6-2 with DCC. Apperantly not.

Zytx

[rogertra]

Sure you can.

Just install an after market  DCC decoder in the 2-6-6-2s tender.  No sweat.

[SteamGene]

The tender for the Spectrum USRA 2-10-2 and 2-6-6-2 are externally identical.  Internally they are not.  Putting a USRA heavy 4-8-2  or 2-6-6-2 behind the 2-10-2 will fry they 2-10-2.   As suggested, buy a decoder for the light Mallet.   It's a lot easier and safer.
Gene