Just starting out again DCC or DC

[cudaken]

 I have been using Digitrax DH123 PS and DH163PS for none sound engines from K-10 Model Trains in Maryville IL. I get a small break in the prices but his normal sticker on the DH123PS is $19.95 and $27.95 on the DH163PS.

 K-10 does not sell on line, but if you will buy from him I will use my dicount so shipping will be free. If you buy 4 or so I will get you a break.

 Got to support your LHS Ken, posting again. 

 

[Randall_Roberts]

...in the long run this might not really cost any more than having to buy dozens of DPDT switches and many, many feet of wire.

You got that right. 

Now that the basic unit is on its way what else am I going to need ? 

Stationary decoders for your turnouts. 

[Vail and Southwestern RR]

...in the long run this might not really cost any more than having to buy dozens of DPDT switches and many, many feet of wire.

You got that right. 

Now that the basic unit is on its way what else am I going to need ? 

Stationary decoders for your turnouts. 

But only if you want to throw them with DCC.  Lots of people don't.

[tstage]

I have not had much luck yet finding the NDE decoders in bulk but I am sure some dealer will come up with a deal for me.

jag, 

Try this site:

Empire Northern - D13SRJ

Tom

[justaboutgeese]

      My ignorance is showing again.  This might be a learing curve but at my age its a long slow pull up a 4% grade.  "IF" these decoders are pretty much compatable with each other why do we have 4 pin, eight pin and nine pin configurations ?  I thought I had the cat in the bag yesterday about to order  6 NCE decoders when this question popd into mind.  I fear you guys might get fed up with me on this subject but I really do appreciate the advice and pointers I have been given.

[jfugate]

      My ignorance is showing again.  This might be a learing curve but at my age its a long slow pull up a 4% grade.  "IF" these decoders are pretty much compatable with each other why do we have 4 pin, eight pin and nine pin configurations ?  I thought I had the cat in the bag yesterday about to order  6 NCE decoders when this question popd into mind.  I fear you guys might get fed up with me on this subject but I really do appreciate the advice and pointers I have been given.

justabout:

Most new locos these days come with an 8-pin socket on the loco circuit board, so that's the closest thing to a "standard" when it comes to DCC plug and play with decoders. Typically, the decoder wire harness comes with an 8-pin plug that plugs right in.

The 9-pin configuration is a decoder edge-card socket at the other end of the wire harness, and the decoder plugs into it, giving you a way to swap out decoders on the wire harness -- and since there's commonly an 8-pin plug on the other end of the wiring harness, it then plugs into the loco circuit board socket. 

A few locos come with a built-in wire harness and a 9 pin decoder socket at the end. Many HO decoders are designed to have the 9-pin edge card design, making it very easy to mix and match decoders with wire harnesses.

So what you commonly see are wire harnesses of various lengths, with an 8 pin plug on one end, and a 9-pin decoder edge card socket on the other. Very convenient!

I've never heard of a 4-pin plug ... where did you see that? 

[justaboutgeese]

   The four pin connectors we just among the many adds I perused on ebay and in listings on the web.   Do not have clue what its for just saw the listings.  Might they be for N-scale or just for some added on functions ?  As I say the more I learn the more questions I have.  But I do honestly believe that starting out from square one this time going DCC is going to be very close to par as far as expenses go when compared with DC.