I have a Proto 2000 F2B in one hand and a MRC Decoder in the other . The directions say to remove the small circuit board from the larer one plug, the decoder into the small circuit board and wrap with electrical tape.
The decoder I got from Train World ( I asked them to recomemend one that worked with the Proto 2K) does not have any kind of plug, just 7 colored wires. I was under the impression it was a plug in sort of thing.
What is my next step?
Chip,
I have a P2K E6 locomotive that I recently put a decoder into, but in my case it was a plug in affair. I purchased a Digitrax DH123P which comes with the 8 pin plug for the P2K loco. If you aren’t comfortable soldering in the MRC decoder you have, I would recommend going the Digitrax route, since it is much simpler. As for installing the MRC decoder, I can’t help much since I’ve just started into DCC myself. If you choose to use a different decoder, you want to find one that has the NMRA 8 pin plug. This is what the P2K locos are built to accept readily. I know the DH123P (basic decoder) and DH163P (similar to DH123P, but also has speed control features, IIRC) from Digitrax both use this plug, as do some others supplied by other manufacturers. I suppose that if you could locate a pin configuration for the 8 pin plug, you could solder the wires directly to the board (8 pin socket), but this would require a cautious hand with the soldering iron.
-Joe
Chip,
You can buy a 8 pin connector for the MRC decoder. Do that… don’t try sodering the wires when you
have a loco that has a 8 pin socket. That’s a lot of work for nothing. Good luck, Dave
If you want a GOOD decoder ont he cheap that will install without a problem, check out TCS:
The T1 is what you’d be after for the P2K, plus the appropriate harness - they have PLENTY of pictures of various installations to help you, too.
–Randy
You’d think that when I asked for Train World’s opinion about what decoder plugged into the P2K they would have come up with one with a socket. I guess I should send it back and get one with a socket. Burns me up because my daughter is expecting to run her new engines.
The decoder that they should have sent is the AD350. It comes with the plug attached. I have one
in my hand right now. And they list the decoder on the Trainworld site. Dave
Here’s the link… http://www.trainworld1.com/transformers/mrcpowerpacks.htm
I’m learning.
Call Train World for a good deal but not advice. I called them back today saying I wanted the AD350.
“They’re out of stock.”
“Can you recommend one that will work?”
"No, I can’t. "
“Well, can you transfer me to your technical support people?”
“We don’t really have anybody? If you log onto the website and get a product number, I can place your order.”
“I looked at the website and all they have are line listings with no descriptions. I’m asking for help because I’m new to trains and I need help choosing.”
“Wait a minute…[on hold]… We have an AD345. But it’s a 3 pack. You’ll just have an extra.”
“Will they fit?”
“I don’t know. I just have a line listing. If you log onto the website you can look to see if it is the right one then you can call back and order.”
“And there’ll be a description.”
“Yes.”
“Last time I looked there were no descriptions.”
“Hey, Charlie, there’s a description on the website? Yeah, there’s a description on the webpage.”
There was a line listing. No Listings. The two I already had were AD315. The three pack she suggested was AD345. I did the math. 3 x 15 = 45. I want two AD350s. I’m betting I will get three more just like the ones I already have.
I called Tony’s Train exchange and ordered 2 that he recommended (and paid $10 more each.)
Now what to do with the one’s I have. They’re inexpensive and will work with anything. And trains just sort of appear, you know. And they’ll need decoders…
Chip,
Don’t be too surprised or discouraged. Trainworld is good at closeouts and great prices but not murch more than that. Technical questions and answers thereof, at best, will be hit and miss. That’s why for newbies like you and me, Tony’s Trrains, Loy’s Toys, Randy, and Jetrock are better resources for those kinds of things. You may pay a bit extra but you know that it will be right the first time.
Get yourself a hobby chest (the ones that come with a lot of little drawers) and mark one of them “Spare decoders”. You’ll probably use them in short order anyhow.
Tom
Ditto - I wouldn’t use Trainworld for anything other than picking up great deals on locos. Plus they tend to have that “New Yorker” attitude, mostly a “help yourself” sort of thing - so if you see they have a loco you want at a great price, call and order it, but don’t expect them to answer all your questions about it. That is, suppose, the price you pay for the great discounts. The places that give great info are, in general, higher priced - but then they have to pay those people who give you the great advice. It’s usually worth it, too. If I KNOW what I’m after and don’t need any help, then I’ll shop for the lowest price, my hobby $$ are not unlimited. Just the same, I won’t take advantage of getting solid advice from a locla shop or a place like Tony’s and then turn around and buy the item from the cheapest place I can find.
As for spare parts - oh yes, I need more cabinets myself, as my collection of ‘extra’ pieces continues to grow. As anyone who has been in this hobby for an extended period will attest, you will like end up with a collection of spare parts that is equal or more than your actual operating equipment. Slightly less these days as cars come factory-equipped with knuckle couplers and metal wheels, but even with my limited collection I have drawers full of X2f couplers and plastic wheelsets. Not to mention more Kadee #5 coupler boxes than I know what to do with.
–Randy