Hi,
I'm looking for an up to date NCE decoder to loco application chart. The one I've found is relatively ancient, and there just has to be more current ones out there. Your guidance is surely appreciated!
ENJOY !
Mobilman44
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Check the NCE site and also join the Yahoo NCE Group which is specific for NCE DCC stuff. Lots of action at the NCE Yahoo Group. I belong to it also as I use the Power Cab.
Rich
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.
As decoders have evolved and loco manufactures are constantly changing the boards and pin outs for plug in decoders the DCC guys pretty much have to see whats inside the loco to see what would fit good. The TCS web site is great in that it has the installation pictures of popular locos. Decoders have evolved to just 3 basic configurations.
1. The universal which is shrink wrapped and available with or without the 9 or 7 pin JST connector. There are many harnesses available for them.
2. The board replacements. These are great for older and newer Atlas and Kato and even some P2K. These decoders will replace what was put in by the loco manufactures.
3. The IP decoder with an Integrated plug usually designed for a particular make of loco.
It is knowing how many functions and the space you have available which will determine the best decoder for your models. A manufacture can recommend a decoder but it may not be the best one or not have enough functions or too many functions. The DCC web sites for NCE, TCS, Digitrax, and others have become the best resource for decoder fitment.
Pete
I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!
I started with nothing and still have most of it left!
It's on their website
http://www.ncecorporation.com/ncetest/Decoder%20Use%20List.pdf
Springfield PA
Hamitnblue,
The site you recommended is the one I had reviewed. Sadly, its last update was in 3/07 - 4 years ago.
I have used the TSU(?) site, and it has some excellent instructions/advice.
That being said, I'm still looking for a more updated "recommended decoder" chart.
thanks!
Just look at the TCS installation pictures, and use the equivalent NCE decoder instead of TCS. ANd check the Digitrax chart and do the same as well.
There really aren't that many options - plug in 8 pin where there is room for a decoder with the plug built in, plugin 8 pin where you need a length of wire between the decoder and 8 pin plug, 9 pin plug where the decoder just plugs in, atlas/kato style board repalcement with the track pickups on the corners and the motor connection in the middle (also same basic layout of Athearn Genesis), or hard wired. Very few specialty ones in HO, the Proto SW is the main one I can think of, and NCE is the only one with a board for that.
It's a completely different story in N scale.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
You can also send NCE an email (or call them) with a list of locos and ask them what they recommend for them, they'll be happy to help you.
Jay
C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1
Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums
mobilman44 Hamitnblue, The site you recommended is the one I had reviewed. Sadly, its last update was in 3/07 - 4 years ago. I have used the TSU(?) site, and it has some excellent instructions/advice. That being said, I'm still looking for a more updated "recommended decoder" chart. thanks!
Interesting. I've been referring to that link for quite some time and never noticed a date. Go figure.
I guess if they aren't interested in updating it maybe it might be time to try someone else.
As more and more locos finally come truly 'dcc ready' with an 8 or 9 pin plug, or sometimes even both, the need for a list of what decoders go in what locos is reduced. Still needs to be there are a reference to people who pick up older locos, or are just getting into DCC, when they have older locs that aren;t dcc ready in even the most rudimentary fashion, or are labeled as dcc ready becasue, well, you CAN put a decoder in it, if you try. I really don;t expect to see much published as far as updated lists anymore, just for those few oddballs where the manufacturer can't figure out that if you are going to have a PC board for lighting it's REALLY not a big deal to put an 8 pin socket on there for a decoder.
It is a shame that such a chart, a regularly updated one at that, does not exist.
Too bad that someone who installs decoders at part of his business doesn't post one as a public service.
Alton Junction
richhotrainToo bad that someone who installs decoders at part of his business doesn't post one as a public service. Rich
I can think of two reasons why that hasn't happened:
1) There probably isn't a single installer who has experienced every possible decoder/loco combination;
2) It wouldn't be profitable for them as an installer to publish such a list.
Someone want my list? TCS T-1, or if it is too big, TCS MC-2.
See, I prefer to hard wire and elminate any potential chance of trouble from a wierdo factory circuit board. For locos with basic headlights, we're talking soldering 7 wires here - left/right rail, motor +/-, and the yellow, white, and blue for headlights.
I occasionally throw in somethign different, like a DP2X in the Stewart AS16's since the deocder hangs upside down and there's no room on top of the circuit board. But really, that's all I've been doign with my present batch of P2K Geeps and Alco switchers. Cheaper, too, compare the T1 to the A4X Atlas form factor board - for $6 I can solder 7 wires.
The point is, there IS no one list - there are as many ways to install decoders as there are people isntallign decoders. Various online forums and message boards are the best way to have up to date information. Ask and you'll probably find a dozen peopel have done that same model loco - in probably a dozen different ways.
Hamltnblue It's on their website http://www.ncecorporation.com/ncetest/Decoder%20Use%20List.pdf
Thanks HB, but the date at the top of the page indicates that it is from 3/8/07. That one appears to be a little out of date.
I have followed your Layout with great interest. Well done, keep up the good work.
Blue Flamer.