NEEd help with life like engine decoder

Model Railroader General Discussion (Model Railroader)
1

i have a proto 2000 lifelike gp30 KCS loco and it say dcc ready does anyone know what type of decoder i need and how can i install it thanks you if need more info tell me and i let you know

2

There are several different decoders depending on which chassis you have. Board replacement or plug and play. Here are a couple links to help you.

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_2000_GP-9/lifelike_proto_2000_gp_9.htm

http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Life_Like/Proto_2000_GP20/GP20%20New/GP20.htm

Pete

3

hi pete i look at both of them and the one the is have has the board i think it has a pug n play in the broad in it

4

A Digitrax DH165L0 decoder is designed for your locomotive, I use them in all my Proto loco’s. You don’t need to add resistors to your lights, you just plug it in and go.

5

I have never priced a DH165LO decoder, I think it is around $35.00. I have use Digitrax DH 163’s in my Protos and with it having BMEF, the engines run great and quite. Cost is around $26.00 for the 163’s. More than likely your PC board will have a 8 pin plug.

Cuda Ken

6

Go with the DH165L0 or similar board replacement decoder. Some of the LL P2K boards had wiring issues, resulting in problems when installing a decoder. Safest and easiest is the total board replacement.

7

I get the DH165L0’s for 28 Canadian and they are actually cheaper then a DH163 decoder.[%-)] They also have “BEMF”. Proto’s come with a differant set up then most loco’s. They actually have a plug that you unplug from the original board and you just plug in the new board. I installed a DH163 in one of my Proto’s but never again. Why solder all the wires to a plug, add resistors to your lights and then plug in the decoder when all you really need to do is just plug in a DH165L0 and your all set? The DH165L0 is a cheaper and cleaner installation. If you want to add sound in the future then all you need to do is plug a Sound Bug into the DH165L0. The DH163 is a great decoder, I use them in all my Atlas loco’s that have a plug and play board but for Proto’s, use a DH165L0.