I am in the process of converting to dcc so Im buying some engines that are dcc equipped. My question is when it says dcc ready with nmra compatible plug does that mean its ready to program and run or does it need a decoder? I know this sounds juvenile to you veterans of mrr. thanks for your help Dave
DDC ready means it need a decoder.
DCC ready with an NMRA plug means that you can get a plug-in decoder and plug it in the the NMRA plug and then you can program whatever decoder you put in. If the loco comes with a decoder in it, the box or other info that comes with the loco will tell you what decoder it comes with (Soundtrax, Tsunami, etc.). If the loco is not DCC ready, that means the motor/circuitry has to be modified before a decoder can be added, the critical portion of which is isolating the motor from the trucks.
Jim
word of warning, there are no standards on advertising, so DCC ready does not always mean the same thing. Not all the manufacturers even use the same color codes, and some Spectrums needs a piece cut out, though they do not say so.
There are web sites that explain all this once you a a certain engine but the inquiry needs to be engine specific.
Thanks Art I bought a p2k sd9 that said dcc ready. Can I just plug in a decoder and program? I really dont see where you can plug a decoder in. thanks for any help Dave
On most of the P2K’s, there is a circuit board which is plugged into a second circuit board. The small top board has some diodes and maybe resistors on it, which provide the circuitry for the directional headlights when run on DC. To install a decoder, you must first remove this board (it just wiggles off with a bit of pressure) and then install the DCC decoder in the same socket.
If you’re fortunate enough to have a good LHS, you might want to take the engine there and buy the appropriate decoder. They can probably show you how to install it, particularly if you’ve already got the shell off. Usually, that’s the hardest part on these engines.
Welcome to DCC. Running your trains will never be the same.
thanks misterbeasley ! Dave