I have an Athearn Gas Turbine that calls for an 8 or 9 plug decoder; is there a specific decoder I should use (non sound is the goal, strictly dcc is desired), and are they truly plug and play as I have not ever installed a decoder. Thanks for the help.
Missouri,
Did the Gas Turbines come with any special lighting effects - e.g. Mars lighting? If so you'll need at least a 4-function decoder to recreate that.
According to the Athearn website, their Gas Turbines have a "DCC-ready wiring harness installed (8 or 9 pin decoder)". That should make it pretty much plug 'n play. I would personally look at NCE, TCS, or Lenz for a compatible decoder.
Tom
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Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
If it has lighting and I were to want to keep that and also have sound, do I just purchase a 4 function decoder with sound already and the lights would work with function f1, f2, etc... or do you have to do extra wiring for the sound, lights etc.? The locomotive does have lights and is a DCC ready 8 or 9 pin plug and play.
Most sound decoders are 4- or 6-function decoders. Yes, you would have to do extra wiring for the sound and lights. Unless you switch out the lighting for LEDs, it should be a pretty straightforward install. Decoder manuals usually have diagrams for installing lighting effects.
I knew the locomotive had headlights. I was just curious if the prototype had special lighting. Given that the Gas Turbine's era was 1950-1962, I would imagine that it was outfitted with Mars lighting.
Here's an installation pictorial from the TCS web site showing their T1 decoder going into an Athearn Gas Turbine. A T4X decoder would give you 4 lighting functions - i.e. if lighting effects are appropriate and desirable.
I second Tom's advice. If you are going without sound TCS would get my vote. They always give me great motor control which is the goal of a good non sound DCC decoder.
If you do decide sound, remember some sound decoders do not come with speakers. Some do,
Good luck and let us know what you end up purchasing and how it worked for you.
Derek
Thanks for the website help and info. After looking at the link, I think I will go with that exact decoder (TCS T1 Decoder) and no sound. When I hook it up as described on the website, will the light functions work, or will addition wiring need to be done? Thanks again guys!!!
No additional wiring is required for a 2-function decoder. The front and rear headlights will work once you plug the decoder in.
You may need to adjust CV 49 and 50, depending on what you want the headlights to do. Most decoders are set with reversing headlights, so the headlight is on bright in the direction of travel, and the opposite headlight is off. Some people like "rule 17" lighting where both headlights on bright, and dim when the engine stops; some people like to be able to control each headlight separately so they can turn one on with F0 and the other on with F1. I like to have it set so both are on when I hit F0, but the headlight in the direction of travel is bright and the other one is dim. All depends on what you wish to do.
What would I need to do to make the lights work independently...
1. The headlights
2. The Mars lights
3. The tail Lights
4. The Road Number Lights
Thanks!
With the list you have, MP, you'd need at least a 4-function decoder. A 2-function will handle the front and rear headlights. If the Gas Turbine comes with a light pipe for the front headlight and number boards, the front headlight will take care of all that so you'll only need a 2-function decoder.
Any lighting effects (e.g. Mars lighting, ditch lighting, etc.) will require a minimum 4-function decoder. If you want the number boards to illuminate independently plus have Mars lighting, a 6-function decoder is probably what you'll need.
As far as specific wiring: Just plug in an appropriate 2-function decoder and the front and rear headlights will work without you needing to do anything extra. For adding lighting effects: Your decoder manual (whichever one you choose) should outline that for you. Keep in mind that you'll need a soldering iron, solder, and heat shrink to do accomplish that.
Great, thanks again for all the help!
Just a suggestion, MP: Maybe go with your original idea of using the 2-function TCS T1 decoder in your Gas Turbine, as per the pictorial on the TCS webpage link above. Once you get a little more accustom to and experience with decoders, you can then try installing one that has more functions.
No need to make your first decoder experience a challenging and/or frustrating one. Enjoy it and learn as you go. Again, it's just a suggestion.
tstage Just a suggestion, MP: Maybe go with your original idea of using the 2-function TCS T1 decoder in your Gas Turbine, as per the pictorial on the TCS webpage link above. Once you get a little more accustom to and experience with decoders, you can then try installing one that has more functions. No need to make your first decoder experience a challenging and/or frustrating one. Enjoy it and learn as you go. Again, it's just a suggestion. Tom
I like the suggestion Tom.
MP, since the decoder can be had for @$22 US it might be a great way to get your feet wet in DCC.