hello. yes, i am new to all this but after spending a lot of time searching this forum i decided to ask a question. i have a bachmann on30 shay with no decoder and a nce power cab. after looking thru the manual, i cannot find anything to tell me how to make this engine go. the lights are lit but it won't go. do i have to install a decoder to make it run with the nce or is there something i am pretty sure i am missing. thank you
bullfroggs,
The NCE Power Cab ONLY operates locomotives with decoders installed in them; it does not have a DC-only address option. The only systems that I know that have that option are Digitrax and Bachmann. They use "00" for any analog (non-decoder equipped) locomotives.
So, you'll need to add a decoder to your Shay to get her movin'...
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
hello tstage. thank you for your reply. i thought this might be the case but i did not want to invest in a decoder if didn't have to. thanks again. bill
Hey Bill,
You're very welcome. Make sure you get a decoder with BEMF so that Shay of yours can really crawl like it should.
If you already have a DCC system then a decoder is no investment it is a requirement. Bachmann uses the Lenz system protocol that can run a non decoder-ed loco. Digitrax, Lenz/ Bachmann and early Roco DCC systems can zero stretch. Running a loco on 00 is not the best thing for the motor. Motors tend to overheat rapidly and it will shorten the life of it. Very good decoders that will work in your Shay can be had for around $20. All the decoders made by TCS have back EMF. They are great decoders for any DCC system.
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!
hello pete. thanks for the reply. being a newbie for this on30 shay, what would brand would you recommend for this engine and would the decoder that you recommend, would it have bemf. thanks again. bill
Bill,
Along with Pete's recommendation on the TCS decoders, let me toss in Lenz for your consideration. I bought one of their Silver MP decoders for my BLI Blueline Niagara and that puppy crawls as well as - if not better than - my diesel switchers. (In the ~0.5 sMPH range )
Although Lenz decoders are a bit more pricey than NCE, TCS, and Digitrax, you can find them on discount. I have yet come across a decoder that performs as well at low speed. (I also have one in a Stewart FT A-B.) Make sure you find one that can handle the larger amps of the On30 locomotives.
hello tom. thank you for your reply. this helps a lot and i am looking into it now. i have an o gauge setup and getting into dcc and on30 products is a lot different but i love the on30 engines. i have a lot to learn. thanks again. bill
hello. i know this may be a stupid question but i am new to this. i am looking at the lenz silver mp decoder and my question is, how does the decoder know what engine sound i am looking for and does this decoder make the sounds? i cannot find any sound samples and this is why i am asking. thanks.
Lenz doesn't make a sound decoder. The only companies that make sound decoders are Digitrax, ESU, QSI, and SoundTraxx. The latter three will be your best choices for your Shay. Each web site should have sound samples that you can listen to. And for realism, get as large a speaker as the decoder will power.
hello tom. thanks a lot for answering my question. it saved me some money. have a nice day. bill