I need the smallest 2 function non-sound decoder available for a tow motor project. I had ordered a LokPilot Nano (8.0mm x 7.0mm x 2.4mm) but I have just been informed that they likely won’t be out before the end of the year.[|(] I have a TCS Z2 (12.95mm x 6.65mm x 2.79mm) which is pretty small, but I’m wondering if there is anything smaller available now.
FYI, the decoder will be disguised as part of a gondola load. It has to sit on top of the gondola because there is no room inside the gondola or the tow motor body. The drive is from a Bachmann N scale 4-4-0. The gondola is the original tender in disguise and it holds the electric motor.
Digitrax I believe has the smallest I have seen, the example below is a DZ-125. (no longer available but replaced with the DZ-126 measuring 10.62mm x 8.64mm x 2.84mm
My go to hobby store suggested a Zimo MX616. It is almost the same size as the yet to be released LokPilot Nano. The MX616 is 8.0mm x 8.0mm x 2.4mm. Streamlined Backshop has them on backorder. They are expected “sometime this quarter”.
I vaguely recall another European mfr. who had a very small decoder. I thought I had it bookmarked but it’s not there anymore. Ring any bells?
I just ordered a CT Electronik DCX76zD decoder from England. It is 10.8mm x 7.1mm x1.3mm so it is a bit longer than the Zimo MX616 but it is much thinner. Even got it on sale![:D]
Was away or I would have mentioned the CT. Friend of mine uses them in his scratchbuult N scale locos. He crams a motor AND one of those decoders in a tiny slope back tender (tender drive, locos are amlost solid metal so they can pull anything.). Truly amazing how tiny that decoder is. And that his locos run so nice.
You have inspired me to have another look at the tender/gondola. I might be able to hide the decoder in the back if I were to lose some lead weight and extend the length of the shell a wee bit. My concern would be losing the weight. The tender shell is plastic so it doesn’t weigh much. I have added 1/16" lead sheet above the motor and in the back, and I have added brass sides to the shell. The lead weights would have to be drastically reduced in size to make space for the decoder and the wiring, and I think that would compromise power pick up performance. If I was to get really fancy I could put a capacitor in a second gondola I guess. Hmmmm…
I got the CT Electronic DCX76 decoder today. It is indeed quite tiny. However, I need some help wiring it up because I have only found the manual in German. Here is the manual if anyone can translate (Ulrich, where are you when I need you?!?):
The decoder does not come with a blue ‘common’ wire and the mfr’s instructions are a bit cryptic. What I want to do is use the ‘front’ light white wire for both the forward and reverse lights which will stay on all the time, and I want to use the yellow backup light wire for a rotating beacon. What do I connect the common leads for the LEDs to???
Here is the manufacturer’s website. For those who don’t speak German, you will have to use the translation function on your browser to read it in English. If you scroll down towards the bottom of the page there are a couple of references that seem to suggest using the right rail as the common but I have never seen that done before, and I would rather not let the smoke out of the decoder by experimenting.
The diagram of the decoder in the DCX76z manual looks slightly different from the one in German. The DCX76 manual does seem to indicate that it’s for Z-scale so perhaps it’s similar enough to be of help?
