8 pin Decoder For SD90/43 MAC

Model Railroader Electronics and DCC
1

Hello all and thank you for taking the time to click on and read my post. As always I appreciate your time and opinions.

I just acquired an HO scale Kato SD90/43 MAC locomotive. What an impressive locomotive! It fits right in with my Union Pacific era and layout. Anyway, it comes with an 8 pin DCC decoder slot on the lights/circuit board that will allow me to convert it from it’s current DC mode to DCC mode. As I understand it (and please correct me if I am wrong), all I have to do is remove the factory installed dummy plugs covering the 8 holes for the DCC decoder and then plug in the 8 pins from the DCC decoder and my SD90 will be DCC equipped. So, what is a good/reliable 8 pin DCC decoder that will work for this locomotive? I can’t seem to get a general consensus purusing the various online bits of info that I found. I use an NCE Power Cab if this is important information.

Again, I appreciate your time and thoughts.

Thanks,

Don.

2

I installed an NCE KRS-SR into three of them.

3

I put in a Soundtraxx decoder-710 prime mover.

Richard

4

You can’t go wrong with the TCS decoders just make sure you put a piece of electrical tape on the factory board just under each side of the decoder if not it will short the decoder and please don’t ask how a few of us know this, Jim.

5

Agree, to me TCS is the best non-sound decoder.

Richard

6

A Digitrax DH123P would also work fine in this application. Should be priced around $20.00US, retail.

7

NO Sound - TCS gets my vote. [tup]

Sound - Others who have more experience than I. The kobo shops install them with ESU/Lok Sound but I have not seen or heard one yet.

Have fun!

8

Thank you all for your great advice! As always, the folks on this site come through [Y]. I intend to go online shopping for one of the recommended decoders and hope to have my UP SD90 DCC operational within the week.

Many thanks all!

Don.