Does anyone know what decoder should go into a Roundhouse EMD Model 40 Diesel which is HO scale and DCC ready? I’ve sent two e-mails to Tony’s train house 3-5 weeks apart asking them, and received no response. I’ve got this sneaky feeling that there is no decoder for this unit as of yet.[?]
Why not go with one of the generics?? TCS for example… If space is a concern, try one of the Lenz N scale decoders… Niether are drop in installs but they’ll get you up and running…
Jeff
A word of caution -
The first batch of Critters had the wiring reveresed. Make sure the wiring is correct before you apply power.
Tom
Do you want sound, too or just motor control? If you want motor control only, TCS makes some mighty tiny ones. I’ve never used um, but I hear they’re good. I usually just use Digitrax.
The TCS web site shows exactly how to use one of their M series decoders - including the fix for the bad wiring which is left uncorrected will blow the function outputs on the decoder as soon as you try to turn on the lights. Tight fit but it can be done.
–Randy
I can not thank you guys enough! I did not even know that there was a wiring problem with the EMD Model 40! I dropped them a line to see about getting a decoder. I hope to hear real soon. My wife bought me this EMD for Christmas 04. It’s been waiting to poli***he rails, but I had been (until now) unsuccessful in getting a decoder for it. I’ll let you know how it pans out when I get it in and up and running.
Try an N-scale decoder rated around 1Amp. No room for a speaker like those in a BLI tender, but I wonder what cellphones use for sound output …
Is there any way to tell if your MDC Critter is wired wrong? I got mine from Trainworld last year and have no idea if it might have the problem. Of course I may never convert it to DCC, so this may be irrelevant. I’m mostly curious if there is something obvious to look for in case anyone else I run into might have the same question.
Bob Boudreau
Bob
I ran a search on “critter” and found the following info:
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=49352&REPLY_ID=540544#540544
http://www.trains.com/community/forum/topic.asp?page=-1&TOPIC_ID=46785&REPLY_ID=506895#506895
I’m sorry I can’t be more help. I’ve never dabbled in the “black arts” myself so I can’t really say that much about it. [:D]
Tom
You’d have to trace the leads on the circuit board to the diodes. I don’t know if they EVER corrected it, even in the second run with different road names. The thing to keep in mind is that the BLUE wire from the DCC decoder is plus, the white and yellow are minus. The fault is that there is a diode wired to be a dead short across the decoder function output. If the banded end of the diode connects to the white or yellow lead, and the other end to the blue lead, with no resistors of any sort - no good.
It works fine on DC, so if you never convert it, there’s no problem. The circuit board serves no real purpose with DCC, other than to take up room, so if I put a decoder in one, I’d probbaly clean it out like I do a lot of others. I don;t have one yet, but I’ve been thinking about getting one to decorate as a plant switcher for the cement plant I plan to have on my layout someday.
–Randy
John Forsythe of TSC sent me a link with all the info on how it was wired wrong. There is a Diode that has been installed incorrectly also. There is a detailed page with all the info and pictures on how to correct this. I don’t know, I kind of think that this is something that MR should pick up on their issues. A trouble shooting article on defects put out by manufactures and how to fix them. At least the hobbyist would know of the defect and would not be frustrated with something that did not work as advertised.
Here’s the link on the “Critter” fix: http://www.tcsdcc.com/decoderpics/roundhouse_Critter.htm
If you are looking for a tiny decoder, MRC’s newest decoder might work for you. They are
small! I have one installed in a P2K E unit and it runs as well as any other I have(thought
I would add this before someone jumps in saying that MRC is junk). The decoder is a
1.5 amp decoder with lighting effects and speed curves(just like the “big boys”), but he
size makes it easy to install in tight spaces. Good luck, Dave
