Opinions on TCS T1 DCC decoder?

[Anonymous]

Hi all

I've just found these listed by a dealer over here and was wondering if anyone has any experience with them? Price is only £2 more than Bachmann/Lenz cheapo decoders (which are dire in anything except Athearn Blue Box models - the high current draw on these balances out their crazy default speed curve so you do stand a chance of avoiding cartoonish acceleration). Does the T1 really have BEMF? Is it silent? I only ask as "other make" decoders with this are a lot more expensive. I'm aware it only has two functions but that's ok by me - was only looking for directional headlights. Do they behave well in P1K and similar models? Would be fitting them to a mix of P1K and ER Models locos to begin with, maybe a couple of Athearn BBs too. Do they come with a wiring harness as standard or do you need to buy a harness on top of the purchase price? I realise that if you want the NMRA plug you need to pay extra for the correct harness but I don't need this for most of my fleet.

Any advice/experiences would be helpful as I'm seriously considering ordering a few of these but don't want to find they're a problem - got stung like that with the Bachmann decoders which I'll not be buying any more of!

Thanks in advance to all responders

[BentnoseWillie]

TCS aren't the only decoder brand I buy, but they are the first brand I think of and the most frequent single brand I buy. I've used T1s and TH142s so far, and I'm waiting to get my hands on one of the new decoders with outputs configurable for LED headlights.

They have silent drive and Dither - I don't think that they have BEMF speed control. They're a great value, and TCS has a 1-year "goof proof" warranty - if it dies for any reason, TCS will replace it, no questions asked, period.

[Blind Bruce]

I have two T1's installed in Athearn BB units. To date I have no problem with running or programming them. They work as advertised EXCEPT, I cannot get the headlights to work. It is as if my Digitrax Zephyr is faulty.
The T1 does come with a 9 pin flat connector with six inch leads. TYhe wiring diagram that is supplied shows only seven wires so be careful to observe color rather than "position" of the wires.
TCS is supposed to call me today to discuss the headlight problem.
BB, Winnipeg

[Anonymous]

Thanks guys - My main worry with the T1 now is about its ability to make a loco crawl slowly. How do they fare in that department? I'm used to Lenz decoders that can make the motor turn over at very low RPM (hence the question about BEMF) - does the "Dither" cover for this and how are the factory defaults? I only have a Lenz Compact so programming is limited - I couldn't alter most of the settings according to the TCS website due to not having a controller that can access them.

[BentnoseWillie]

Dither covers low-speed operation, and my TCS-equipped engines crawl beautifully. I haven't touched any CV's except loco address and headlight operation, both programmed with a Lenz Compact.

By the way - are you aware that versions of the Lenz Compact / Atlas Commander manufactured after late 2001 are capable of direct-mode programming of all CV's?

[Anonymous]

All CVs? I didn't know that - mine only mentions a limited number of programming options in the manual - CV 1-4 and CV29 (bought it early 2005 but it may be old stock). Mine doesn't seem to support F3 or F4 either despite claiming that it does in the manual (I've tried the keystroke sequence and nothing happens - no dots in the display which should apparently appear to show they're active). Maybe I need a firmware update though I don't know how I go about doing that.

Just tried it - I can indeed access the other CV's. Found out how to do it on the Mackay Models web site rather than in the manual. Thanks for pointing it out!

[mpcaboose]

Somewhere in the Tony's Trains site he mentions a conversation with TCS in which Tony found the TCS decoders DO have BEMF ... they simply don't mention it in their specs.

Based on my experience with their M1's, I think they're great. Very good low speed control.

[Anonymous]

TCS uses dither for slow speed operation. Slightly different than BEMF but same effect. I have one TCS decoder. It works great for slow speed operation.

[BRVRR]

I have several TCS T1 decoders installed in Athearn BBs. They have worked flawlessly so far. No problems with lights either. I have a Digitrax Zephyr and have had no problem with programing. I really like the T1s. For the money, they are hard to beat.

[Pennsy58]

I have quite a few T-1 decoders in a variety of engines. They all perform very well and have been excellent for low speed operation. I've only had to return one that quit working. They replaced it very quickly, no questions asked. Thought the goof proof warrany was a gimick until then. They are a great value.

[Anonymous]

Sounds excellent, thanks guys! I'll have to order a few. I've discovered that the ghastly Bachmann decoders are acceptable in Athearn BB locos (offering this as a tip for anyone else who mistakenly bought any) - the high current draw of the Athearn motor nullifies the daft default speed curve (which seems to have a big jump at around speed step 4 or so - no use for a yard layout like mine). It takes a little getting used to but they're reasonably controllable unlike the Proto loco I originally fitted the decoder to (which will be getting a T1 as soon as I get around to ordering some). Thanks again!