What decoder would you recommend for an HO Kato Alco RSC-2? I do not need sound. I would prefer a Digitrax, but there are a lot of recommended decoders. I do not want to try one that will not fit without major modifications.
TCS A4x will pop in place of the factory 'board'. Not sure how old these are, some newer Kato locos have an 8 pin plug which means you can put just about anything in there. With or without the plug, the Atlas/Kato format boards are a direct replacement. All connections end up in the same place relative to the stock board, you just have to solder the truck wires and motor wires to the decoder.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I bought an unused Kato HO RS-2 which was DCC ready with an 8-pin plug. I put the recommended DP2X TCS motor only decoder in it and it runs very smoothly, certainly quite acceptable. About $30 I think. There is an install page for it on the TCS site I recall. Only detail is to add an insulating piece of tape under something to prevent contact with the board below the plug or something like that.
I also acquired a RSC-2 but it already had been converted, I think with a NCE decoder. Runs ok but I haven't compared closely. If you wanted to add sound (speaker in the cab) there was a youtube video. I didn't want my first DCC conversion to be that challenging. I run the two RSs with an Athearn sound equipped GP9. It would be nice to have three motors sound working together but maybe someday I'll attempt that.
EDIT: adding related TCS links...
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/HO-Scale/DP-Series/DP-Series.htm
http://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Installation_Pictures/HO_Scale/Kato/ALCO%20RS2/ALCO%20RS2.html
Paul
Modeling HO with a transition era UP bent