Cape Vincent Southern Railroad
HO scale Horseshoe Curve in 5’x10’
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Don't go by price alone when selecting a decoder because you're likely to regret it when you start having a high failure rate, poor motor control, or programming problems.
Bachmann decoders would be a bad choice. NCE, Digitrax, or TCS decoders would be far more reliable and are not that much more expensive. Bachmann decoders are a watered down Lenz with very limited capabilities.
Look for TCS T-1, Digitrax, or NCE decoders from a source such as Ulrich Models and you will find that they are not expensive.
http://www.ulrichmodels.biz/servlet/StoreFront
I fell for the 'cheap price' when MRC first released decoders several years ago. As it turned out, they were cheap because 5 out of 6 were defective and they offered no warranty. TCS offers a 'Goof Proof' warranty. Even if a decoder fails because you wired it incorrectly, they will replace it for free.
Since you do not plan on converting all of your engines at once, you might want to look at going with a Digitrax Zephyr because you can run a non-decoder equipped engine with a Zephyr(actually with other Digitrax command stations as well as with Lenz, but I suspect any of these would be out of your budget). Many people don't like running DC engines on a DCC layout that is capable of it(the DC engine produces a loud buzz and personally I don't do it myself), but there are also many people who do it all the time so it may be something you want to look into.
Those inexpensive Bachmann decoders are a really low end Lenz design and give generally poor performance. FOr the same pric, sometimes even less, you can get the NCE D13SRJ decoder ($12 each in 10 packs from Empire Northern, for example) which actually IS a very good decoder. The TCS T-1 has even more features, but also costs a bit more, about $17 each. Avoid the Bachmann.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I only have or make that had one Bachmann decoder, I removed it because the speed control was poor. I could not get it run smoothly. I have an NCE powercab and an NCE power pro system, the Bachmann decoder will work on both. But for maybe a few bucks more I'd buy an NCE D13SR or a TCS T1 decoder.
In my opinion, there is no reason to only use one type of decoder in all of yoiu locos, some may need smaller decoders, others will have a decoder that is custom designed to fit the loco, others have additional light functions. Also when you decide to put sound in some of your locos, you will want to get the appropriate sound decoders for the specific loco.
Whether NCE powercab is the right system for you is up to you, it is a good full function system that probably will meet your needs. It will run any decoder that meets NMRA specs and will program most (MRC being the exception that I am familiar with).
Don't let 25 locomotives without decoders stand in your way. Do you operate all 25 at once on DC? I have an NCE powercab and I buy NCE decoders exclusively. Like the other poster said, you can get them in bulk for under $15 a piece. Just put decoders into 5 of your favorite loco's and start from there. You will eventually have decoders in all of them. DCC is worth switching to even if you only had 2 loco's with decoders. You will not be disappointed.
Just Do IT!
Driline Don't let 25 locomotives without decoders stand in your way. Do you operate all 25 at once on DC? I have an NCE powercab and I buy NCE decoders exclusively. Like the other poster said, you can get them in bulk for under $15 a piece. Just put decoders into 5 of your favorite loco's and start from there. You will eventually have decoders in all of them. DCC is worth switching to even if you only had 2 loco's with decoders. You will not be disappointed. Just Do IT!
These are words of wisdom, this is what I did and now I have 48 out of my 60 plus locos with decoders.
Jack W.
Jamie,
Bachmann does not make decoders. Their 'DCC On Board' engines have a low end Lenz decoder. Their 'Sound On Board' steamers have a customized 'Tsnami' decoder from Soundtraxx. I do not think you have a good understanding of DCC - Most decoders will switch between DC and DCC mode(The only decoder that operated like you mention was the early Atlas decoder with the jumper). You can get very good decoders for about $15 each(and they far out perform those low end Lenz decoders that Bachmann uses. To answer each of your questions:
1> Bachmann does not make decoders.
2> No need for an answer(see above).
BTW, the Powercab is a very good entry level system. The Digitrax Zephyr is another good system. Both should operate any DCC decoder that is NMRA compliant.
Jim Bernier
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
jrbernierJamie, Bachmann does not make decoders. Their 'DCC On Board' engines have a low end Lenz decoder. Their 'Sound On Board' steamers have a customized 'Tsnami' decoder from Soundtraxx. I do not think you have a good understanding of DCC - Most decoders will switch between DC and DCC mode(The only decoder that operated like you mention was the early Atlas decoder with the jumper). You can get very good decoders for about $15 each(and they far out perform those low end Lenz decoders that Bachmann uses. To answer each of your questions: 1> Bachmann does not make decoders. 2> No need for an answer(see above). BTW, the Powercab is a very good entry level system. The Digitrax Zephyr is another good system. Both should operate any DCC decoder that is NMRA compliant. Jim Bernier
One of the most reliable decoders that is most definitely dual mode and requires nothing on your part when changing from DC to DCC mode is the Train Control Systems (TCS) T-1. The NCE D13SR is also a dual mode decoder. Any Digitrax decoder would be another good choice, as well as a higher quality Lenz decoder other than the one sold by Bachmann under their brand name..
As some have mentioned already, almost all decoders (NCE, TCS, Digitrax, etc.) out there will work on DC or DCC. When you say this in your response:
RailfanSWhen I took the locomotive back to our club layout and put it on the DC mainline it was unresponsive. After taking it back to the seller we discovered that there was a decoder onboard.
To me that sounds like the decoder was programmed to run on DCC only. When you get your feet a little more wet with DCC, you'll learn that there are a lot of ways to customize a decoder to perform a variety of tasks or have certain attributes. Some users prefer to have their decoders to only run on DCC, others to run on DC or DCC, it depends what each of us want. Rest assured that the vast majority of decoders out there will be dual mode.
TONY
"If we never take the time, how can we ever have the time." - Merovingian (Matrix Reloaded)
Most DCC decoders manufactured these days are dual-mode. However, there are two flavors that you need to be aware of.
One type senses whether the you are running DC or DCC and switches modes automatically - without you having to do anything to it. The other type and some older decoders require you to physically move a jumper on the decoder board to switch from DC to DCC and vice versa.
Just double-check the decoder manual before you buy it to find out which decoder you are getting. Most manufacturers have their decoder manuals online so that you can download them. This will also allow you to see what the particular decoder is capable of doing or not doing.
Hope that helps...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.