whats a good motor control only decoder thats LED ready ?

[BIG JERR]

 I know loaded question but Ive decided to just put motor only decoders in the remainder of my fleet, that consist of a bunch of proto 2K gp 7/9/18's  & some atlas "classic's" rs3/11's  they shall be running/consist WITH  factory QSI'S or my install tsunami's....

I would like to go with simple ,cheap 2-4 function prefer LED ready (no need for resisters) and prefer NOT to use digitrax leaning towards a NCE (I'V not tried them yet) or sountraxx "motor only" or ?

HO scale,  atlas style board,hardwire ,8-pin plug dont mater to me,Yes I plan on installing LED's but DONT really want to do use hard wired resistors

just want a cheaper basic go to decoder that can BE matched up for consist dutys ...Jerry

[cacole]

You can get NCE D13SRJ decoders for around $12 each in bulk packs of 10 from Empire Northern Models in Webster, New York.

They come with a hard-wire harness and are not a board replacement, but they do support LED lighting.

[Mark R.]

Not on your list of desires, but I would highly recommend the TCS (Train Control Systems) line of decoders. Their T-1 LED would be perfect for what you want. It's LED ready and their decoders have a goof-proof warrantee that I've taken advantage of a few times.

 

Mark.

[simon1966]

I use the D13SR's all the time and they are a good budget decoder, but they do require a hard wire resistor for LED's. 

[BIG JERR]

thanks Cacole; for the price they just are to attractive to overlook though they DO require a resister for led's, if I'm reading right 

That does seem to be the top choice ,,,Jerry

[BIG JERR]

Hi Mark , never seen the T1 LED till you mentioned it, NOW I am assuming it comes comes with a harness cause the pict that i found of it dont show one ? ...Jerry

[BIG JERR]

also looking at the differance between the NCE d13SR & the d13SRJ same price, one has a harness /plug to board & the other has solder on harness to board , does that sound right...Jerry

[rrinker]

 Yes, the D13SR is wires soldered to the decoder, the D13SRJ is wires with a 9 pin plug. For a basic decoder, they can't be beat, they are cheaper than some of the ones that are ont he avoid list - like the MRC motor only decoders and bachmann's cheapy. ANd MUCH better.

 The TCS T-series will buy you excellent BEMF in addition to working well with LEDs.. Plus they have the new KAT series, which include keep-alive that keeps the loco moving over dirty track. The default model comes with wires, attached to a 9 pin connector ont he decoder, but you can also get them with many different lengths and forms of harnesses. TCS also has a lot fo other form factor decoders, the the DP series which the whole decoder just plugs in to an 8 pin socket, or the A series which are board repalcements for Atlas/Kato/Athearn locos.

 I used a lot of D13SRJ's early on, you cna buy then in a 10 pack for $120, there is no other decent decoder anywhere for $12. I've since switched to using TCS exclusively, mainly for the BEMF. Any of my locos that do not have sound currently have TCS decoders, and they get plenty of workout at club shows.

                     --Randy