I am finally biting the bullet and going DCC with the NCE PowerCab system. I only have one DCC ready loco ( a Bachmann 2-10-0 Russian Decapod) and am wondering what would be a good entry level decoder to install in it. The loco is equipped with the 8 pin NMRA socket. I’m not interested in sound at this point, just a basic decoder to learn with. Thanks!
The Digitrax DH123P or DH123PS would be good. The P has a 3.5" harness with 8 pin plug and the PS has a 1" harness with 8 pin plug. They both sell for about $23 and have a 1.5 amp current capacity.
I’m assuming HO scale here. I’ve taken a liking to the TCS-DP2X. This decoder is a straight plug-in type that is very small and fits in most models. For the price and some of the features, I think TCS would make a good choice. [2c]
Whatever you choose to do, make sure you avoid MRC decoders no matter what the ‘features’ the decoder has.
Anything with an 8 pin plug from Digitrax, NCE, TCS, Zimo, ESU, Soundtraxx, QSI will work just fine.
Good choice on a system, BTW.
David B
I am also just trying to understand what decoders to purchase, what is your take/problem w/ mrc. Nothing personal , just learning!!! I have mostly Bachmann locos most w/out dcc and have been looking at ads. I need somthing cheap since I have spent too much and don"t have anything running yet. P>S> I live 50 miles from Blackstone/soundtraxx but their stuff sounds middel of road expencive I have Bach command control and am looking at dinamis sys also any help would be thankful!!
First off, I am of the mindset that if you are going to spend the monies for a dead-end system like the Dynamis, you will be MUCH better off with a Power Cab or Zephyr that will GROW with you and EXPAND as you need.
MRC decoders have a horrible track record when it comes to reliability. Where I worked, we had about a 50 percent return rate. Needless to say, we stopped carrying them.
Spend an extra 2 dollars a decoder and get something proven. Dont get sucked into MRC ads where they falsely advertise their ‘superiority’ and 'DCC Leading" technologies.
David B
Thanks David B. I understand the " dead end system" you describe, but I’m hoping to get my stuff going then give it to my great nefuew [hes gettin’ his first diesel freight -lif like set 4 xmas this year] and be able to get somthing better for this old man. I get most of my education from MRR & webb, the old phrase YA GET WHAT YA PAY FOR is the phrase for the day HAHA. i fell over when I saw 3-4 k$$$ locos whew! Wife is into G scale, and have located club local club hope to get connected & learn something! THANKS AGAIN LILTREES!!
I too recommend the Digitrax Zephyr DCC system. As for what decoders I use, I’ve become rather fond of the Digitrax DZ125. Yes I know it’s Z scale but it’s tough enough for HO equipment and will fit into places an HO size decoder wouldn’t even start to fit into. That makes it pretty handy for those applications where space is at a premium and you don’t want to remove weight from the chassis.
I run the NCE PowerCab system and I LOVE it. I actually think that the operation of it is a little easier than the Digitrax systems I have ran. As far as decoders with the 8 pin plug, I have only had to put one in but if you want a good entry level decoder that you install yourself in Non DCC locomotives, I am a fan of the NCE D13SRJ It has a 9 pin harness and in the off chance that you do burn up the decoder, all you gotta do is plug and play. Installation is pretty straight forward, In an Athearn Loco, Red wire to the trucks, Black wire to the frame, Orange wire to the top of the motor, Grey wire to the bottom of the motor.
I think we got lost here…sounds like somebody mentioned staying away from MRC decoders and somehow that got translated into the poster having an MRC system?? He says he has NCE (which as far as I know is very good!).
Anyway, I would go with TCS decoders. TCS decoders are much easier to set CV’s on, because the instructions are very clear. Spectrum lightboards can be a little finicky with some decoders but TCS ones should be no problem. In fact I just removed a Digitrax decoder from a Spectrum 2-6-6-2 and replaced it with a TCS one and it runs better now.