ABC shunting module for HM7000

[Peachy]

Does Hornby have plans to produce an ABC shunting module for HM7000 or should I just buy the ones produced by DCC concepts?

[96RAF]

Make your own - the schematic is in the decoder manual. 5 diodes in a nose-to-tail loop with the feeders picked off either side of any one diode.

Be aware Lenz invented ADCC which covers ABC (see their web-site for details) but the working principle has been interpreted differently by the various commercial ABC module producers, so they do not all work strictly according to the Lenz design intent. See also the 7000 manual.

Jenny Kirk uses the errant DCC Concepts modules on her video. I have used the DIY modules successfully on my test track.

[Peachy]

Yes it was on Jenny’s video that I heard her mention a Hornby version in the pipe line.

[96RAF]

Hornby likes plug and play ‘toys’ and installing ABC modules requires an isolated section of track to be formed, no problem using IRJs at build, but there remains how to simply clip the module to the track. Again no problem to solder it in but as I say they favour PnP. We shall see, but ABC does work with the 7000 decoders.

[Goathland]

Or you could use 2 of R618 Double Isolating Track connected together. Pick one side of the track to convert. On one piece use the 2 connecting points on one side to plug in the two wires of your ABC unit (observe correct "polarity") and on the other piece leave the track isolated. On the side of the track you are not converting fix the link wires across the connectors on each track piece. Extend the middle of the ABC section with standard track pieces to the length desired for train stopping distance. Ensure the DCC decoder is programmed to match the side that was converted.