I’m a recent convert to DCC,having received an NCE Procab for Christmas.I have purchased and installed successfully 4 TCS A6X decoders in a pair of Genesis AB Fs’. My question…is it overkill to put a 6 function decoder in a B unit where no functions other than motor control are neccessary? Is their a less expensive alternative? How would someone more experienced have handled it? I model a period and a prototype where I have no need for ditch lights,strobes,beacon and such.All I need is basic motor and headlight control. I’d like the advanced features of motor control such as 128 speed steps,quiet running,ops mode programming,et al,but I have little need for 6 functions. Is there an inexpensive “standard” decoder,one that fits my needs and works in most applications along the lines of the Kadee #5?..or do I need a special decoder for every locomotive? I’m curious how others with more experience have approached converting their rsoters to DCC,thanks for any and all responses.
The answer to your query depends on what you are paying for the A6X decoders and where you’re purchasing them. A TCS A4X might be slightly cheaper, and an NCE DA-SR might cost even less. If you don’t mind doing a little soldering, a TCS T-1 or M-1 would even be suitable for a B unit – but if you already have A6X decoders available and don’t want to buy more, then use them.
There’s also an advantage to using the same model of decoder in “A” and “B” units – it should be much easier to do speed matching. In fact, unless there’s something wrong with one of the locos, all you’ll have to do is set their speed, etc., CVs the same.
Otherwise you might end up with one loco that uses different CVs for speed – one might use CVs 2, 5, and 6; another might use only 2 and 5, etc.
This probably isn’t a big deal, since locos don’t have to be matched exactly – close is usually fine.
I definitly agree with the ease at which you can speed match units with the same decoder. I would have a tendancy to use more functions than you currently use, as you may decide in the future to add cab lights, number board lights, and who knows what else. I model the NYC so I don’t have to worry to much about mars lights, but If I decide I want all the prototypical lights I may just need another function. If I am one function short I would have to put in another function decoder, or upgrade to one with more functions. I like to stick with two manufactures, one sound and one without sound. That way all the functions are the same. The other thought is that if the functions are fully mapable my last argument would be moot. a few more functions do not generally cost much more than the one with fewer functions.