Has anyone done this succesfully. If so what decoder and where did ypu put it. Thank you
Which brand? There have been many Docksides produced over the years, Varney, Rivarossi, Life Like, and that’s not all of them.
–Randy
I hace stuck a Digitrax DZ126 decoder into quite small places. One amp, two functions. Quite small. Google it. Z, N and HO scale.
You might find the first one on ebay, the DZ125 which I also used. Not much bigger than a thick dime, minus the short wires.
Rich
Rivarossi. Surprising good low speed control on dc. Will be my scrap company switcher. Might need help from a micro surgeon for this one
There’s an article in an MRR book DCC projects & applications volume 3 page 74 that describes fitting a Z scale decoder (1 amp power rated) into an SW1 in HO scale. The decoder is motor only. The sound was handled by coupling two SW1 and running sound from one decoder in one of the pair, wiring the two sets of speakers to the one decoder. Using a decoder from a smaller scale might work if you don’t need sound also.
I agree with Rich. I have used the above decoder for a number of locomotives where space is tight. And the price is right. It is surprisingly “powerful” and features good motor control. I personally don’t care for sound when it comes to switchers. The sound just does not match well with the back and fort movements of the switcher. How old is your engine? 1 amp should be OK for the old Rivarossi motors.
Simon
Someone on u-tube converted a Sakai “Varney lookalike” to DCC and sound, so it can be done.
Some of those micro decoders are mighty small. As long as you test the DC current draw and it’s within the limits of the small DZ decoder, you should have no problem. Might have to get a bit creative on where to stick it, if this is the older Rivarossi Docksider with the motor that fills the cab - otherwise in the cab or up under the cab roof is usually a good place on a small loco.
–Randy