Hi all,
I just got an NCE PowerPro system and I want to do "advanced" consisting with it. But the NCE System Reference Manual (pg 28) says that certain decoder brands, such as MRC, will not support advanced consisting. Luckily I don't have any MRC decoders in my roster, but I do have a number of other bare-bones type decoders that cost me ~$12/ea, including some marketed by Bachmann (not sure who the actual mfgr is). Is there any way I can know beforehand if a particular decoder can be advanced-conisted without simply trying to do it and having it not work? T-I-A...
-Ken in Maryland (B&O modeler, former CSX modeler)
You could check the manual that goes with the decoder and see if it supports it. Most do.
Springfield PA
That being said you could try addressing the consist something under 99 to see if it works for you. cant hurt to try.
That would be the NCE D13SRJ. In 10 packs, they come to $12 each, and they are far superior to the Bachmann ones. Betetr motor control and better lighting effects. If you simply MUST keep cost down, they are the way to go, it's an inexpensive decoder that's anythign but 'cheap'.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Thanx for the replies everyone. First I'll try manually setting the consist addresses below the default 127; failing that, I'll go with Randy's suggestion and get the NCE 10-pack. Luckily I think I only have ~6 or 7 Bachmann's installed.
The Bachmann decoder is a watered-down Lenz offering that has very limited functionality. I prefer NCE D13SRJ or TCS T-1 decoders.
I tend to use fixed advanced consists on my railroad, which means I have set up the consists in advance and leave them alone unless there is a failure or need to switch a unit. I use NCE and find it easy to do and use. However, I stay pretty much with NCE, Digitrax and Lenz decoders, none of the MRC or Bachmann stuff. My trains run with consist cards and a card for each diesel unit with the consist number, direction on the card. The laptop at the dispatch panel also contains this info, so setting up for op sessions becomes very simple, and the advance consisting allows additional units to be added in or removed easily.
I do believe in the saying, "you get what you pay for" and follow that saying very closely.
Bob
[UPDATE:] I've discovered that the Bachmann decoders do support advanced consisting, as long as I make sure to set the Consist Address at 99 or below. I can live with that for now, I don't feel like ripping out the existing decoders - until I can replace them with Tsunami's