- Bergs/DJH/Model Dockyard brass
- Lima 44
- Austrains steam/diesel
- Auscision diesel
To be used with NCE controller.....arriving tomorrow!
The not-so-quick answer:Thanks!!
It depends a bit on whether the loco/s are DCC-Ready or not. Most of those you have listed will not be DCC ready....the possible exception/s being the Auscision diesel/s and maybe the Austrains model/s.
All my locos are "sound-equipped", but I have also used some non-sound decoders for some of my brother's UP brass locos. For those, I have found that the ESU decoders are very good and extremely small. I am currently working on a brass 4-10-2 and the little decoder fits neatly between the chassis rails, beneath the drive line between the motor and gearbox.
Good luck,
Roachie
Thanks!!No, I don't think that having an NCE Procab (which is what I have too) should affect your choice of decoder. The one exception.....PLEASE don't buy any Hornby decoders!!! I never have used them, but the internet is full of bad stories about Hornby, so it's just not worth the risk.
So I guess it may fit into two camps; DCC ready and not. So, are any decoders particularly better with an NCE ProCab in DCC-ready locomotives....and then the same question for the ones I have to wire in! Thinking that I may just do the power initially, lights can come later,,,,if ever!
Thanks!!If the models are advertised as being DCC ready, it means they should have a board inside the body on a diesel & tender on the steam, on the boards there is a dumb 8 pin board in a socket, you can simply replace that plug that allows the model to run on DC systems with an 8 pin DCC decoder such as the TCS DP2x which I have in a TOR 32cl, works a treat & TCS have the best motion control of them all.
So I guess it may fit into two camps; DCC ready and not. So, are any decoders particularly better with an NCE ProCab in DCC-ready locomotives....and then the same question for the ones I have to wire in! Thinking that I may just do the power initially, lights can come later,,,,if ever!
If the models are advertised as being DCC ready, it means they should have a board inside the body on a diesel & tender on the steam, on the boards there is a dumb 8 pin board in a socket, you can simply replace that plug that allows the model to run on DC systems with an 8 pin DCC decoder such as the TCS DP2x which I have in a TOR 32cl, works a treat & TCS have the best motion control of them all.
Austrains steam, the brass & DJH Steam have minimal pickups, & its recommended to have all wheel pick ups for DCC operation, even on the Tender which again Austrains do not have. Diesels should, & I say should have all wheel pickup but others would be able to give a better answer to that.
Roachie
You mention the brightness of the LEDs. Do you use SMD 603's, as they are usually ok, but small & practice is needed also they need resistors. You could try a light wash with some black paint or a touch of clear yellow, that will help on steam.
I have had my steam fleet fitted with those SMD's & being so small they are barely seen & look excellent. I got a roll of 600 from China for around $50.00, you do need to solder leads & resistors though.
Hey a6et sounds good about the SMDs are they warm whites and where did you get the resistors from are they the SMD types also or are they the large round types. Are they available from the same source?Each from different places SMD's here http://stores.ebay.com.au/LED-Wholesale-World/Warm-white-LED-/_i.html?_fsub=2051046010&_sid=1016205190&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322
cheers anzac
Further update:
All in the space of one afternoon, NCE Pro Cab tested and operational with USB interface, DCC on two locos, JMRI installed and operational on an old MacNook Pro (that was looking for a use) and plans now in foot for another 20 decoders....this could become an expensive hobby.
Next stupid question: can sound be added later and, if so (I am hoping it can), does it plug in to the existing DCC/NMRA chip socket?
Further update:
All in the space of one afternoon, NCE Pro Cab tested and operational with USB interface, DCC on two locos, JMRI installed and operational on an old MacNook Pro (that was looking for a use) and plans now in foot for another 20 decoders....this could become an expensive hobby.
Next stupid question: can sound be added later and, if so (I am hoping it can), does it plug in to the existing DCC/NMRA chip socket?
The two types of sound decoders that I've used are Soundtraxx and ESU.Have to agree with what is said here, at least in some areas. Although I do not have any of the Loksound (ESU) decoders for those wanting genuine Australian sounds for their diesel fleets, they are pretty well the only ones that have such & its a huge plus from my perspective. As I have & will only have a max of 3 diesels in my fleet as its a mid 50's era it really is something that the more modern day modeller who is only diesels & the modern era should consider.
The Soundtraxx comes with a standard 8-pin plug or with a bare harness so that it can be directly wired. Like wise with the ESU decoders. That said, I believe that the ESU are a higher standard decoder from my experience. So much so, that I am (slowly) retro-fitting ESU to my Soundtraxx equipped locos. I also find the ESU simpler to install. So yes, they use the standard DCC socket.
The other advantage with ESU is that they offer a 21-pin decoder which I believe will become a more common interface over time.
As for non-sound decoders, I have a mixture of TCS, Lenz and NCE. For ME I have not had any appreciable difference between NCE or the other brands. They all work fine in my experience. I have not experienced what others have quoted. I have selected a decoder on the basis of what I needed it for. I guess you can make up your own mind.
With buying a heap of decoders and the expense... why not buy them as you need them? Spread the financial pain over a more manageable period.
A little off topic, but when couching a hobby as expensive or not, I'd say what hobby is NOT expensive? By definition it is a discretionary use of funds, not an essential use of funds (like rent, food, utilities etc) Perhaps if some one suggests your hobby is expensive, counter with "should I take up Golf instead?"
Cheers, enjoy DCCing your loco fleet!
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