Just put in first decoder in Proto 2000 0-6-0

[rrebell]

Well you may think this is nothing but for me it is a giant step. I took an 8 pin out of a Bachmann 4-4-0 to put in this as a test. It works first time, proubly blew the lights but it worked. I know the engine so even though the decoder works fine, I notice that the 28 speed step decoder is not the best. Also the motor humms now when on, is this because of the cheap decoder. Last what decoder with sound to buy as I move further into DCC.

[gmpullman]

rrebell

Last what decoder with sound to buy as I move further into DCC.

I used this:

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1521

Other retailers may offer the same kit I simply picked one as an example. The TCS site was not cooperating, presently (OK, fixed it).

Good Luck, Ed

[rrebell]

Wow, that adds up real quick.

[tstage]

I had already added my own resistors to the LED headlights so I ended up using the TCS Wow101-Steam decoder and skipping the motherboard.  That saved about $20-$30 to the cost of the installment.  I also did not drill holes in the tender and had plenty of volume - so much so that I turned the volume down at least by 40%.

The hum is most likely due to the Bachmann decoder, which is - IIRC - a low-end Lenz.  Better-quality decoders are generally quiet or silent.

Tom

[rrebell]

Thanks, lets me know a better decoder will get rid of the noise. I guess Bachmann were using some pretty cheap decoders before they started installing Soundtrax ones. So many new things to learn in DCC. One thing I did learn (not with this item) is the whole DCC system dose not blow up with a short.

[tstage]

Correct - DCC systems generally all have built-in short-protection and turn themselves off & on (cycle) until the short is "removed".

And another important fact to remember: Always program your locomotives on the programming track.  In the event that there is a short in the decoder installation, it won't blow up the decoder because only a fraction of the current is used in programming mode to program a decoder.

Tom

[Pruitt]

gmpullman

I used this:

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1521

Other retailers may offer the same kit I simply picked one as an example. The TCS site was not cooperating, presently (OK, fixed it).

Good Luck, Ed

I put one of those into a Proto 0-8-0. It was an early one that had no tender power pickup, so it hesitated on every turnout in my yard. So it became a roundhouse queen.

The TCS decoders have keep-alives built in. No more hesitation,and sound is top notch! Now this 0-8-0 is my favorite yard loco. I use it whenever I'm switching cars. The 0-6-0 uses the exact same kit.

Here's a video I made awhile back showing the before and after on this loco:

[richg1998]

The low end Lenz have been mentioned in some forums the past few years.

It got to bad for the deisels that NCE made a decoder for the Bachmann desels.

Bach-DSL non sound.

Now SoundTraxx and recently TCS onboard low end sound. Stlll good though. You have to look up the CV's before buying.

Rich

[rrebell]

Like the sound in the video, looks like it runs great too.