Looking for information. I have a ConCor MP15DC and was wondering if it has a dual mode decoder. Motor is directly wired to the wheel pickups, motor is isolated but there is no printed circuit board. I have a Norfolk Southern #2380. I have read several items that says this loco is dual mode but I don't see where. Any information?
If the wires from the motor go directly to the wheel pickups, and there's no circuit board, I think you answered your own question.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
If the locomotive is wired the way you say it is, there's no way it has a decoder of any type, dual mode or otherwise.
Atlas made MP15DC locos with DCC/Soudn decoders, but even the non-DCC versions have a circuit board with an 8 pin plug to add a decoder later.
Con-Cor did have ones with a decoder in them, but there would be a circuit board. WHat it sounds like you have is one of the earlier releases with a Kato drive. Unfortunately Con-Cor put traction tires on it which negates many fo the fine features of the Kato mechanism. Unless you are attached to this model for some reason, the Atlas is better in every way, even if you don;t get the sound one. The C-C model has very crude detail, appropriate to 1988 when it was first released, but way below standards for today. Looking at pictures, it looks liek it would be a huge task to replace the handrails and carve off some of the molded-on details and replace them. COntrast to say, the old Walthers Trainline FA, which is also crude in detail level - but crude because they didn;t bother putting any on it. So it's much less of a task to add grabs and lift rings, since there's no molded detail to carve off first. Plus it runs like a Swiss watch, makign it an easy decision.
Thanks guys, I just needed confirmation on my thoughts. I know electronics and I know I am not crazy. I will keep the loco because I got it fairly cheap on ebay. My plan is to make it a project and add a dcc board in it.
Thanks again.