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decoder for Bowser C636

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  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 17 posts
Posted by cs48 on Saturday, August 29, 2015 6:31 PM
To all that replied to my post, thank you. With all my research, the one thing I did not do was check Bowsers' web site. Mr. English is using ESU products now and the 614 was recommended for my needs. I purchased one, installed it and the C636 works like a champ. Again thanks to all. Mike
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Friday, August 28, 2015 7:24 AM

 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.

                 --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Thursday, August 27, 2015 10:01 PM

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.

Mark.

¡ uʍop ǝpısdn sı ǝɹnʇɐuƃıs ʎɯ 'dlǝɥ

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 9:06 PM

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


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    August 2005
  • From: S.E. Adirondacks, NY
  • 3,246 posts
Posted by modelmaker51 on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 8:14 PM

Don'tkeep us in suspense, what was the answer?

Jay 

C-415 Build: https://imageshack.com/a/tShC/1 

Other builds: https://imageshack.com/my/albums 

  • Member since
    April 2004
  • From: Ontario Canada
  • 3,574 posts
Posted by Mark R. on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 8:09 PM

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

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 17 posts
Posted by cs48 on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 4:58 PM
Thank you David Mike
  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 17 posts
Posted by cs48 on Wednesday, August 26, 2015 4:57 PM
Thank you Randy Mike
  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 8:43 PM

 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.

  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 17 posts
Posted by cs48 on Tuesday, August 25, 2015 5:48 PM
answer found.
  • Member since
    March 2015
  • 17 posts
decoder for Bowser C636
Posted by cs48 on Monday, August 24, 2015 5:38 PM

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

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