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digitrax n121 and n141 inherited - use in HO loco??

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  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Wednesday, June 4, 2008 6:44 AM
 dad1218 wrote:

   Those decoders might buzz. I bought an Atlas engine with a DN146 decoder in it and it was not silent. I replaced it with a newer Digitrax decoder and now its runs pretty good, I just couldn't stand the constant buzz.

                                 Gary

I didn't even think about the buzz coming from an older decoder. I've gotten spoiled on the 'Silent Running' decoders. I have only two or three of the older 'buzzing' units left.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
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  • Member since
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  • From: NC Piedmont
  • 154 posts
Posted by dad1218 on Tuesday, June 3, 2008 8:23 PM

   Those decoders might buzz. I bought an Atlas engine with a DN146 decoder in it and it was not silent. I replaced it with a newer Digitrax decoder and now its runs pretty good, I just couldn't stand the constant buzz.

                                 Gary

  • Member since
    June 2004
  • From: Orig: Tyler Texas. Lived in seven countries, now live in Sundown, Louisiana
  • 25,640 posts
Posted by jeffrey-wimberly on Sunday, June 1, 2008 10:01 PM
The decoders should work fine. They probably need to be reset. I've installed 4 Z Scale decoders (DZ125's) in HO locos and they all work OK.

Running Bear, Sundown, Louisiana
          Joined June, 2004

Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running Bear
Space Mouse for president!
15 year veteran fire fighter
Collector of Apple //e's
Running Bear Enterprises
History Channel Club life member.
beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam


  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Sunday, June 1, 2008 9:37 PM
Did the locos run ok on DC? If so, recheck the install, and reset the decoders. I think if you program a value of 008 into CV08 it resets Digitrax decoders.

I didn't realize the DN121 and DN141 had an 8-pin plug on them. I'll have to look and see if I have any documentation on them. For what it's worth, I've used the DZ123 in HO applications and it's worked fine.

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 16 posts
Posted by 00ragtopz on Sunday, June 1, 2008 9:13 PM

first, I admit to being a novice with DCC. I have succesfully installed several decoders, but don't claim to be a 'spert! But, the P1000 F-3s are the newer version with the 8 pin plug. As I said I can hear it hum, and the drivehsafts TRY to turn but just can't put power to the wheels.

Could it be any of the CV values that do need to be reset? I had that suspicion but wasn't sure. Becuase of time I did not have to explore the correct CV settings.

 Could it be the start and terminal voltage? Any suggestions would be appreciated. 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: St. Paul
  • 823 posts
Posted by garya on Sunday, June 1, 2008 9:04 PM
They should work, as long as you don't exceed the amperage rating on them. IIRC, the Proto 1K F3 has low current draw, so you should be ok.

Did you reset the decoders? How did you install them? I think there are two different versions of the Proto F3, one where you have to solder a decoder and the newer where it just plugs in.

Gary

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 16 posts
digitrax n121 and n141 inherited - use in HO loco??
Posted by 00ragtopz on Sunday, June 1, 2008 8:22 PM

Help- I inherited a couple digitrax decoders for n scale locos. Can these be used in an HO loco. Seems they shiould be useable, but when I plugged them in they would only generate intermittent humming and minor power to the locos (Proto 1000 F-3s) but wouldn't move them down the track. Digitrax website seems to be down, so turning here for help.

Thanks.

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