I decided to scroll through some online shops today, looking for decoders, and I realized that there is a total shift to make the 21 pin socket the standard.
I barely see any 9 or 8 pin sound decoders anymore, it seems like the leading brands (tsunami 2, loksound, wowsound) all are dominated by the 21 pin.
Seems like the 9 and 8 pin decoders are now reserved for non sound cheaper decoders.
Is there a reason why?
Charles
Loksound has an eight pin sound decoder. It has to be hard wired for the speaker and extra light functions.
The 21 pin is generally lower profile, plus with the new locos coming with headlights, ditch lights, truck lights, cab lights, number board lights, working class lights, and rooftop beacons, you need a lot more wires than fit in a 9 pin connection. Many of the newer decoders have 12 function outputs, plus speaker, plus track pickup, plus motor wires, plus keep alive connections. That’s actually all 21 right there. If they keep adding more, we’re gonna need a bigger connector.
–Randy
Older DCC locomotives have 8 and 9 pin connectors, the new ones from maybe 2010 or the mid 2010’s onward have 21 pin connectors.
It depends on what type of locomotive you have and which decoder you want to use.
I model the transition era, early to mid 1950s so the 8 pin decoders work for my purpose nicely. The only extras I need are headlights and sound and one function output.
Mel
My Model Railroad
http://melvineperry.blogspot.com/
Bakersfield, California
I’m beginning to realize that aging is not for wimps.
Technology on the move. Just deal with it.
Rich