Inquiring to see which Digitrax decoder is the proper one for the Bachmann On30 Two Truck Shay. Just a regular decoder without sound by the way. Thanks. Michael
There is no “Proper” decoder for any locomotive. It depends on what will fit the space available, or if a particular decoder is made for a particular loco, such as the case in N scale. Most decoders will work, but you need to find one that will fit the space that you have. The only other consideration is if the loco is DCC ready and what type of socket it has, or if you have to hard-wire it in.
Since you have not received an answer by now, it is possible that people looking at your post don't know these answers as well. Also, you can use any NMRA compatible decoder.
The TCS brand M1 or M4 decoders should work. They are really small and are available with or without an NMRA 8 pin plug.
http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/HO-Scale/M-Series/M-Series.htm
Elmer.
The above is my opinion, from an active and experienced Model Railroader in N scale and HO since 1961.
(Modeling Freelance, Eastern US, HO scale, in 1962, with NCE DCC for locomotive control and a stand alone LocoNet for block detection and signals.) http://waynes-trains.com/ at home, and N scale at the Club.
A Digitrax DZ125 decoder will work fine. Get the one with the eight pin plug. Don't remember the full part number. Cut any capacitors on the PC board. They will probably be yellow blobs with two wires on them and will have a C prefix, such as, C1, C2, etc.
Rich
Did a little searching.
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
My On30 bachmann Two Truck Shay has an eight-pin socket. For testing purposes, I picked up a Digitrax DH-123PS decoder. I knew I didn't need loads of functions, so I didn't get a 143 or 163 series. The PS bit means that it has the socket. I used this rather than a DZ series because I was concerned about blowing it out with a current over-draw. It may not matter at all, as it could be that this just doesn't draw enough power to matter, but no bother. I have the same decoder to use wherever.
I have a Soundtraxx Tsunami to install, and once I solder a socket onto it I am set.
SteamDonkey74 My On30 bachmann Two Truck Shay has an eight-pin socket. For testing purposes, I picked up a Digitrax DH-123PS decoder. I knew I didn't need loads of functions, so I didn't get a 143 or 163 series. The PS bit means that it has the socket. I used this rather than a DZ series because I was concerned about blowing it out with a current over-draw. It may not matter at all, as it could be that this just doesn't draw enough power to matter, but no bother. I have the same decoder to use wherever. I have a Soundtraxx Tsunami to install, and once I solder a socket onto it I am set.
SoundTraxx recommends the 750 Micro for this loco and many other ON30 Bachmann locos, but not all. 750 ma max and yes, I know about the tendency for this decoder to over heat but it is the decoder that is the issue. A heat sink usually solves the issue.
I have some 750's.
The DZ125 is for Z through HO scale. Good for 1 amp. I use the DZ125 in a Bachmann with the pancake motor and it does quite well.