DCC & LoCo`s

[Anonymous]

Ok..Went to my hobby shop today to get the control and all for my layout! But what do you know..Stopped dead in my tracks...[xx(]I was told that not all locos will run with a DCC unit? If so what do I need to look for when I buy my Locos? Which I only have 1..But paid around 70.00[:0] for it!! Please fill me in thanks!

[dano99a]

Look for DCC equipped (comes with a DCC decoder) locomotives or DCC ready locomotives (needs a decoder but has a ready-made socket for it).

If you paid $70 bucks chances are high that it is DCC ready, I'd take it to the LHS and see what they reccomend. OR you can tell us what kind of loco you have and we'll help you choose a decoder for it.

What DCC unit ddid ya buy or did you hold off until you got this resolved?

[rrinker]

There's very little made in recent years that you can't install a decoder in. Even blue-box Athearn from the past 10-15 years (withthe newer motor) can be converted pretty effortlessly, you don't even need to remotor them. The higher end stuff almost always includes some sort of socket for easy plug-in installation.
Also keep in mind that just because you buy a DCC control system from one manufacturer, that does NOT limit you to using only that manufacturer's decoders. That's the whole point of the NMRA Standards and RP's for DCC. Look around, just because one manufacturer may not have a decoder made for a certain engine doesn't mean someone else doesn't. For example, if your engine is a Proto 2000 GP-7 or GP-9, the absolutely easiest decoder to install in it is a Digitrax DH163L0, it even has current regulators so you can continue to use the existing low voltage bulbs. It takes more time to remove the shell than install the decoder. If you have a Proto 2000 SW, those didn't have DCC sockets. NCE has the easiest to install decoder for those. Several companies have decoders with wiring harnesses for blue-box Athearns that all you need to is clip on the wires and clips supplied and you are ready to go.

--Randy

[Anonymous]

Ok Great..I`ll post what kind of Loco I have..(going out with the family) So i`ll post when I get home! And yes I didnt buy a DCC unit as of yet! I need 1 that is able to run around 4 to 5 trains!! But need to find 1 for a budget...Thanks..

[Anonymous]

Ok I have the SW9/1200 Locomotive! Box says easily adaptable to DCC Control! So what do I need for it to run on DCC? Also is this hobby alot like computers? You must change out your yard every few months? or can you go for years?

[Anonymous]

Due to the small size of this SW9/1200 Locomotive, installation of the DCC standard plug was not possible. Due to differences among the various DCC manufacturers, we cannot provide a single set of instructions that will work for all systems. However, we have supplied all major DCC manufacturers with samples of this product. You should contact the mnaufactuere of your DCC product for wiring instructions.

To allow room for your DCC decoder, remove the weight!

Should I gohead and trade this LoCo in? Or will it be easy to change over?

[Pennsy58]

It sounds like you have a proto 2000 model. If so, I have an S-1 from them that I converted to DCC. Lack of room under the hood is probably about the same.

I installed an N scale decoder in mine and room was no longer an issue. Used the TCS M-1 decoder as it has a high enough current rating to handle HO scale power without any problem. If you go with another decoder company, just check to see if it will be able to handle HO engines.

[rrinker]

The S-1 has an 8-pin socket for a plug-in decoder. The SW9/1200 does not. The easiest decoder for the SW9/1200 is the NCE SW9-SR decoder, it is an easy replacement for the circuit board that is already there. You have to solder on the wires from the motor and wheel pickups, and at the very least replace the front headlight bulb with an LED or 12-14v bulb. Look under the Products section of NCE's web site, you can even read the instructions for this decoder before buying one.
At any rate, installing a decoder in this loco will require some soldering. Depending on your skill level and knowledge of things like dropping resistors, the NCE decoder will be somewhat easier than using something like the TCS M1, which will certainly fit but will require a bit more work to install resistors and so forth.

--Randy

[ClinchValleySD40]

Check Model Railroader. They had an article a while back in their DCC column about installing decoders in tight places and I believe this loco was covered.

[nfmisso]

See: http://www.tonystrains.com/gallery/sw9.htm

[rrinker]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

See: http://www.tonystrains.com/gallery/sw9.htm

Right, that's the same decoder as the NCE SW-SR. Tony's private label stuff is mostly manufactured by NCE, although not all of it is also sold by NCE, some truly is exclusive to Tony's, like the PowerShields. It's no secret, on the product description pages for the items it says "manufactured by NCE to Tony's specifications"

--Randy

[Anonymous]

I installed a DN-142 Digitrax decoder in mine, but if you can replace thelight board with a decoder that is probably the best way to go. Some DCC units allow you to run one locomotive convention DC. I have the digitrax super chief and it allows this. I would not run a conventional DC unit all the time even though the manufacturer says it is OK. The unit "sings" when sitting and the sound changes pitch as it is throttled up which is Highly annoying to me. Most of my engines are older and did not come with a DCC plug. As long as you have the space for the decoder and can electrically isolate the + and - motor terminals, you can install a decoder for it to run on DCC. I have converted Tyco, Rivarossi, Athearn, Bachmann, Lionel, AHM, IHC, Lifelike and Atlas locos to DCC. i have 50 locos on my layout.