I bought some Kato CP AC4400CW’s a few weeks ago and can’t find decoders for them. Digitrax is 4-6 weeks behind in the ones I want. I was looking at the decoders in the hobby shop and saw a bunch of the DN143IP decoders that have the 8 pin plug and are used in N scale loco’s. It looks like they will plug right in. Has anybody used an N scale decoder in a HO scale loco? Is there any performance problems or heat created using one? I really want to get these things running for a train show coming up soon.
I’ve used N scale decoders in Kato NW-2 locomotives and have had no problems with them at all. The main thing to consider is the Amperage rating of the decoder. For a Kato locomotive, a 1 Amp decoder should be plenty sufficient. The only thing I don’t know about is whether the plug on the wiring harness is the same, because the ones I used were hard-wired into place.
It all depends on the stall current of the loco - some small HO locos will work well with an N scale decoder (they’re handy for models without a lot of space) Typically the main difference is that N scale decoders are designed with a lower current rating than HO - if the stall current of your AC4400 is less than the rating of the decoder you’ll be fine. Alternatively, have you looked at TCS at all? They offer a variety of decoder wiring harnesses which might well include one for a Kato loco. Hope this is of help!
I’ve used the DZ123PS (even smaller than the DN series) decoder in my Rivarossi HO Scale 4-8-4’s with no problems at all. I believe all current Digitrax decoders are rated for at least one amp. You should not have any trouble with the DN143IP in yours. The plug should be the same as long as it is the NMRA 8 pin plug (which I am certain that it is).
Well I’m on my way to the hobby shop to buy one and try it out.
I think Kato’s Loco’s are easier to install decoders in then even the P2K Loco’s. I had the body off, decoder installed, put the body back on, replaced the couplers for Kadee’s and programed it in less then 10 minutes. I’m going back to get two more of the DN143IP decoders, they seem to work great.
Like jdavid93225, I used a Z-decoder (1 amp) in one of my locomotives because of the lack of space inside the hood section. (Proto 2000 S1) It has worked out great.
Tom