Hello all,
I have done alot of research, and the more I read, the more questions I have.
I have a Bowser C636, non-sound, and need to get a decoder for it. TCS has a replacement mother board and a WOW decoder which looks like it will work. But the WOW is for sound, so that is out. They also have a decoder EU621 that looks to be a drop in using the original board. Any help would be appreciated.
Many Thanks
If the factory board has a 21 pin connector, the EU621 is the one you want, simple plug in installation.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
rrinker If the factory board has a 21 pin connector, the EU621 is the one you want, simple plug in installation. --Randy
Keep in mind you will only have four functions available if you use the TCS EU621 (as opposed to six) using the factory 21 pin plug. If you want / need all six functions, you had better go with the Lokpilot Standard in the 21 pin format.
Mark.
¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ
Don'tkeep us in suspense, what was the answer?
Jay
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Mark R. rrinker If the factory board has a 21 pin connector, the EU621 is the one you want, simple plug in installation. --Randy Keep in mind you will only have four functions available if you use the TCS EU621 (as opposed to six) using the factory 21 pin plug. If you want / need all six functions, you had better go with the Lokpilot Standard in the 21 pin format. Mark.
Why would that be? The EU621 is a 6 function decoder.
rrinker Mark R. rrinker If the factory board has a 21 pin connector, the EU621 is the one you want, simple plug in installation. --Randy Keep in mind you will only have four functions available if you use the TCS EU621 (as opposed to six) using the factory 21 pin plug. If you want / need all six functions, you had better go with the Lokpilot Standard in the 21 pin format. Mark. Why would that be? The EU621 is a 6 function decoder. --Randy
Yes it IS a six function decoder, but TCS opted to configure all the lighting output to be line level as per the NMRA "suggested" standard. ALL current factory equipped 21 pin plugs follow the NEM European Standard which has been in place for nearly ten years.
The NEM Standard states that the first four function outputs are to be line level, and any additional outputs are to be logic level.
If you try to use TCS' line level outputs for functions 5 and 6 on a socket designed for logic level, they aren't going to work. I've had more than a few clients try to use a TCS 21 pin decoder in one of Rapido's GMD-1 and couldn't understand why functions 5 and 6 wouldn't work. Replaced the decoder with an ESU LokPilot decoder and everything worked as expected.
Well that's a major screw up on someone's part. Also found a thread on Trainorders where it was nothing but complaining about the 21 pin connection. Meanwhile the complainers will complain about having to solder wires to their decoders to connect more than 4 functions. 21 pin is SMALLER than the 9 pin AND offers more functions INCLUDING all the sound wiring, instead of decoders with wires or connectors at both ends. The extra 2 functions are no big deal to me, I only ever need 2 on any of my locos - front and rear lights. Benefit of modeling pre-ditch light times.