Which of the DCC decoder companies (Digitrax, Lenz, Loksound, NCE, Soundtraxx, TCS) has the best lighting control and works well with both incandescent and LED bulbs?
I'm looking at getting an inexpensive 4-/6-function decoder strictly for lighting control. I'm mainly interested in finding one where I can adjust the brightness of the light rather vs. one with special FX features. Basic on/off/dimming control is all I'm really looking for.
I also want to be able to control the brightness for each bulb. This is possible with a Loksound Select (sound) decoder. I'm assuming/hoping that it's also possible on a non-sound decoder, as well?
Thanks for the help...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Digitrax is reight out since they don;t work well with LEDs.
NCE works great with LEDs but as far as I know there's only a single dim setting for the whole decoder.
TCS has function-only decoders, but max out at 4 functions. You'd have to use a motor decoder to get 6 function outputs, but they are individually dimmable (have to get the comprehensive programming manual to see this documented, it's not on the simple sheets that come with the decoders)
Lokpilots do pretty much everything Loksound does minus the sound, so they probably do the individual dimming
Soundtraxx are so-so with LEDs, don;t think they do individual dimming.
No idea on Lenz.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
One thing to keep in mind if you use a motor decoder, instead of a function only one, is that it will need a load placed on it to function properly. Haven't done this yet, although I have a few bum decoders that will still work OK with lights, but IIRC this is done by simply adding a resistor to the motor leads.
Randy,
Do you know more about this? Not sure I have the details quite right.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
Most decoders will program without a load on the motor terminals, but you can't read back any CV's without the load though. A simple 100 ohm resistor across the motor terminals will be a sufficient load. If you opt to leave the resistor installed, you need to use the speed table and set all the CV's to 0 so the resistor doesn't see the voltage meant for the motor during operation.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Mark,
Thanks, that clarifies things for me.
Finally some good use for the free decoders that Bachmann installs in their stuff. They work the lights OK, but send mumbo-jumbo to the motors in my experience.
I've had good luck with TCS for function/lighting decoders.
Richard
You need a load on the motor wires to get an ack on the program track, to do readback. If you don;t really care, the resistor is not needed. If you keep the resistor installed for later programming, you should set CV2, 6, and 5 to something like 1, 2, and 3 so it never generates much voltage across it if someone cranks up the speed. It will need to be about a 100 ohm or so.