Single Decoder controlling motors in A-B consist, and 3 speakers

[beiland]

I have 2 sets AB of F-3's that I purchased from BLI long ago. Interestingly they have a connecting cable between the 2 units such that it appears as though there is a single ESU decoder controlling the motors on both units, and all 3 speakers. Is that true??

I have another AB set of PA that appear to have that same arrangement. I want to put a decoder in these that will accomplish the same thing,...run both motors and the 3 speakers..

Here are some reference photos of my locos,
https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/pa-locomotives-in-ho-help-identify-12693497?pid=1335660676

https://forum.mrhmag.com/post/pa-locomotives-in-ho-help-identify-12693497?pid=1335654119

Can you tell me how this was possible,..OR lead me to any link that might help me understand it??

Thanks, regards, Brian in St Augustine

 

[beiland]

 

[Smudge617]

Power from the non decoder unit is routed through to the decoder and then back to the 2nd unit's motor and speaker via the mini-plug, its a neat idea.

 

[bnsf971]

I "think" they stopped doing this because it was too easy to exceed the current rating of the decoder with two motors in two heavy locomotives. You'd need a decoder with at least a 2 amp rating, possibly higher.

 

[Smudge617]

I "think" they stopped doing this because it was too easy to exceed the current rating of the decoder with two motors in two heavy locomotives. You'd need a decoder with at least a 2 amp rating, possibly higher.

True, although it's a neat idea, I'd rather use a second non sound decoder, and speed match the two, and either use them as a consist or just have both with the same address and use the sound decoder to power the second unit's speaker via the cable.

 

[bnsf971]

True, although it's a neat idea, I'd rather use a second non sound decoder, and speed match the two, and either use them as a consist or just have both with the same address and use the sound decoder to power the second unit's speaker via the cable.

I think I see 21 pin connections in both engines. A Loksound 5 in one, and a Lokpilot 5 in the other, and remove the bridging cables for the motor control.