Hello all,
Buying a few N Scale Proto DCC ready loco's to run on my layout (still wiring). I will be running the Digitrax Zephyr DCC system and was wondering what decoder to use for these locos. PROTO N Diesel F-M C-Liner A-B Set Powered -- New York Central #6601 & 6900 & PROTO N Diesel F-M C-Liner A Unit Powered -- New York Central #6603 as well as PROTO N Diesel F-M C-Liner A Unit Powered -- New York Central #6604
Was reading the Digitrax website and they had no section for Proto locos, just a section for All Other which had these two options; DZ143, DZ125. sec
Can anyone confirm this for me? I'd trust it a little more with some imput from the people with the tried & tested knowledge.
Thanks for your help.
Rob
With your Digitrax Zepher you are not limited to using just Digitrax decoders. I would suggest that you take a look at "Tony's Train Exchange" or "Litchfield Station"on line for a list of possible decoders which would be appropriate for your locomotive. (There are other online DCC vendors which are just as good. I use these two.) Any NMRA DCC Standard decoder will work with your Digitrax system.
Jim, Modeling the Kansas City Southern Lines in HO scale.
I think MRC makes a decoder, but most folks don't care for their decoders.
Spookshow doesn't have a recommendation: http://www.visi.com/~spookshow/llfmc.html
I'd email Bruce at Litchfield Station and ask him.
Gary
I couldn't find any reference for that particualr loco, other than it mentions that it has a dcc-type board for easy replacement. Either it's the same as some other model already produced and the DCC manufacturers haven't caught up with it yet, or it is widely different from anything already out there and no DCC manufacturer has made a repalcement board for it yet.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
HO Digitrax decoders for any of the Proto 2000 locomotives end in "L0". For example, a DH163L0 fits my Proto 2000 GP38-2. I would think it should be the same for N-scale decoders, however, using the "DN" prefix.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
tstage HO Digitrax decoders for any of the Proto 2000 locomotives end in "L0". For example, a DH163L0 fits my Proto 2000 GP38-2. I would think it should be the same for N-scale decoders, however, using the "DN" prefix. Tom
Kind of, but there are so many variations to each N scale loco, even from the same manufacturer, that this doesn't always hold true - there may be 3 or 4 different decoders that all fit locos from the same manufacturer, just different models. Actually, they even did it witht he sound boards for the three Kato HO locos - there's three different ones, and it's not because the sounds are different, the boards have slightly different arrangements depending on which loco it fits in.
You can definitely get a DZ143 or DZ125 to work, but you would have to hard wire them. If you compare the picture on Spookshow's website(Fairbanks-Morse C-Liner) to the datasheet for the Digitrax DN163M0(which was designed for the micro-Trains FT), it looks like it would work if you removed the LED from the board and attached the wires from the LED on the locomotive to the board. I am not saying it will work, but it looks like it will. The only way I know to find out for sure is to get one and try it.
Thank you all for your replies. Every bit of info I can get does help.
I knew there were other companies making decoders that work with many systems but at first my logic dictated that I might have an easier chance if I keep it in the family, system brand with system decoder.
I'll keep researching. More opinions are of course welcome.
Thanks
Hard wiring decoders is not difficult, it just takes a bit longer than a simple drop-in that any kindergarten drop-out can do. I prefer the DZ125 as I don't go in for all those fancy extras like ditch lights. I leave those for Joe the rivet counter down the street. All I need is motor control and headlights. The DZ125 gives me that in a very small package that still robust enough to handle HO equipment yet that can be tucked away into any small space. I put one into an HO scale switcher yesterday that barely had room for it. There was NO WAY an HO sized decoder was fitting in there without taking something else out. The decoder is tucked neatly away in a just barely big enough for a house fly to fit in. I already know they work well in N Scale equipment because I've already installed one in a P2K SD7 (pre DCC) and didn't have to carve out anything, though it did require some gymnastics with the wiring.
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Contact Tony's Train Exchange http://www.dcctrains.com/index.html . He has a vast selection at reduced prices and will assist you in making sure you get the right decoders.
Grand Skunk - "WE GO LIKE STINK"
rpbns I might have an easier chance if I keep it .....system brand with system decoder. Thanks Rob
I might have an easier chance if I keep it .....system brand with system decoder.
Rob, this is not necessary at all. And While you may find drop in decoders for some of the DCC-ready locos you buy, I am with the other poster(s) who recommend you also become familiar with hard wiring a decoder in.
Lke most hobbiests I use both kinds/installations.
Understanding the basics (that develop from this modestly difficult skill) will help with your understanding of many issues that may crop up in building and using a layout. You also expand the number of decoders you can utiilize when you know how to hard wire them in, and it is handy to know if you have to troubleshoot a loco and try other decoders etc. to isolate a problem.
Hey Cisco,
Thanks for the advice. I'm reading more about it as we speak. Haven't made any decoder purchases yet until I feel more comfortable with the topic. Printed up the DCC for beginners on the website for Tony's exchange mentioned by others. Realizing now that my original approach may have had some logic behind it was a bit lacking in knowledge about decoders. I do have an Atlas loco with a Lenz decoder and should have realized that I wouldn't have to stay in the family.
Thanks again.