dcc decoder needed bachmann F7A

[Carolina Northern]

I have one in my RS3 and GP7s. They work very well.

 

Don

 

[richg1998]

As I said in a previous post, a few years ago, NCE designed a PC board decoder for the Bachmann diesels. that do not come with an eight pin socket for a plug in decoder.

I use to belong to a number of forums and saw many post about the Bachmann low end EZ Command on board non sound decoders.

The instructions are at the NCE site. I posted the link before. The decoder use to come with the LED's attached. Now you have to solder them into place from what I see.

Rich

[joe323]

I didn't know you could replace the decoder in a Bachmann DCC on board locomotive with changing the whole board.  If it's that simple all my Geeps are due for an upgrade!

[shahomy]

For the record, i went with the NCE D14SR and it fit and works perfect.

[wjstix]

There are several types of decoders. As you found, there are 'light board replacement' ones where you remove the factory green board and replace it with a decoder shaped like the board.

There are decoders that have the eight pins installed in the body of the decoder, you just remove the dummy plug from the light board receptacle and plug the decoder in.

https://tcsdcc.com/1028

There also decoders that use a harness - a nine-pin connector connects to the decoder, and the other end of the harness has an eight-pin connector that plugs into the lightboard. The harness wires can be 1/4" up to several inches long. Sometimes they come with a harness factory-installed, so it looks like it's just got wires sticking out, but it's usually actually a nine-pin connector connected to the decoder.

https://tcsdcc.com/1482

An advantage to the kind with the pins already attached to the body is you don't have to worry about a harness. However, if you break off one of the pins, you're pretty much out of luck.

Several companies make sound decoders that use the nine-pin to eight-pin harness, you don't need to replace the light board. So you could install a regular decoder now using the harness, and later remove the decoder and plug in a sound decoder into the same harness. (Unless specifically labelled "sound only", all sound decoders also control motion and lights.)

https://tcsdcc.com/1530

On the decoder above it shows a nine-pin harness with wires for a "hardwire" installation. You can just unplug that harness and replace it with a nine-pin to eight-pin harness. Many companies make the harnesses, they aren't expensive. You would also need to solder or otherwise make connections to a speaker; some companies have speakers with a two-pin receptacle that are made to just plug into their sound decoder.

[richg1998]

All decoders online usually have the specs for the size indicated.

NCE designed the Bach-DSL boards for the Bachmann diesels like I remember the DZ125 was not much larger than a USA thick dime. I said before but plugging in a small decoder is a lot easier.

Rich

[shahomy]

good idea, thanx for the heads up...

edit: just ck`ed it all out, looks like no problems. thanx again

[tstage]

shahomy,

You may want to check the dimensions of the NCE decoder and make sure that it can properly clear any onboard plugs that are close to the 8-pin socket.  I had this issue with an Atlas diesel switcher and had to settle with a decoder with a 3" harness for proper clearance.

Tom

[shahomy]

Think i`m leaning toward the NEC D14SR 

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201382385-D14SR-Direct-plug-in-HO-decoder-6-function-NMRA-8-pin

[garya]

I've tried these: 

https://www.aliexpress.com/store/product/NEM652-DCC-LOCO-DECODER-FOR-HO-N-SCALE-MODEL-TRAIN-LaiDcc-Brand/2977030_32820423789.html?spm=2114.12010608.0.0.3064498cUh6B7y

They seem to work just fine.  

I've tried these, but they may be more decoder than you need for an F7:

http://tcsdcc.com/1028

 

[richg1998]

Below is the decoder you will want for non sound. NCE designed this because of so many complaints about the Bachmann decoder in the locos. Instructions are in the links when you go to the link I put in here. About twenty dollars the last I knew.

https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/200945019-BACH-DSL

Now if you do not want to do that, plug in a DZ126PS decoder. I have used the older DZ125, a very good decoder.

If you are new to DCC, here is what it looks like. Prices will vary a little online, depends on shipping.

http://www.digitrax.com/products/mobile-decoders/dz126ps/

TCS has a very good small decoder with a plug.

Aagin, cut any cap on the PC board. They will have a C prefix.

For sound, SoundTraxx and TCS have deocders but quite a bit of work and soldering plus speaker intall and maybe stay alive, another discussion.

Rich

[rrinker]

 The LAST thing you want is Bachmann's non-sound decoder. It is far more expensive than most any of the other suitable options AND is a pretty poor decoder to start with. ANY brand decoder with an 8 pin plug will fit, and a VERY GOOD economical one is the NCE D13WP. Or if any of the vendors still have any, the NCE D13SRP, might be able to get closeout pricing on one of those.

                                    --Randy

 

[BigDaddy]

The Bachmann looks like it will do both sound and motor.  Both your examples are replacement boards, not add on boards.

It is daunting to install your first decoder, especially if you have never soldered before.  The gurus here prefer to take out the factory boards because they tend to run better. 

But the 8 pin plug decoders do work and if you can plug the charger in your cell phone, you can install an 8 pin decoder.

[shahomy]

thanks for the replys guys

i was hoping to find one on bachmanns page...but dont see any, just sound decoders? this won`t control motor right? https://estore.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=698&products_id=10488&zenid=jed7a88o06urd8eaq68ujeih85

at litchfield i see this https://www.litchfieldstation.com/product/ho-dcc-decoder-locospecific-bachmann-diesel-by-nce-bach-dsl/

looks like i`d have to replace my main "DC"board with the one above

there`s so many...probably try and find one that just has 8 pins, no wire leads

 

[BigDaddy]

You need to decide if you want sound or not.  That is a question you have to decide yourself, there is no correct answer.

You are better off with an aftermarket decoder for sound, than anything Bachmann would sell you.

If you are just starting your DCC empire, it is easier to stick with one brand of decoder rather than try one from column A and one from column B. 

If you go with sound, in the case of loksound, you need, to tell the dealer what sound you want on your decoder.

Just so you know, decoders are also available with 9 or 21 pins or as a total replacement for the light board in the loco.  You don't want those. (More properly stated, you aren't asking about those.  They have their applications)

 

[tstage]

Litchfiled Station is also a great resource for DCC items.  They are very quick with deliveries and reasonably priced.  As Gary correctly stated, any decoder with an 8-pin plug will work.  TCS would be my choice but Digitrax or NCE would also work well.

Tom

[garya]

shahomy

Hello,

I have this loco

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_617&products_id=5913&zenid=ulpe045vdn6vk9mlvnhiun7io1

It says dcc ready. There is a 8 pin plug on top of circuit board inside loco, has a dummy/bypass plug in it...have looked on bachmanns website and and i`m missing it somehow...someone point me to a decoder that will plug in?

 

 

Any decoder with an 8-pin plug should work:

https://tonystrains.com/product/lenz-standard-plus-mp-decoder-with-wired-8-pin-plug/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0eiqysbF3QIVBNbACh0Scgc2EAQYAiABEgJAEPD_BwE

or https://www.traintekllc.com/digitrax-dh126ps-economy-ho-scale-decoder/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxteVi8fF3QIVUr7ACh3bbw9jEAQYAiABEgLOUvD_BwE

or even 

[shahomy]

Hello,

I have this loco

https://shop.bachmanntrains.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=258_617&products_id=5913&zenid=ulpe045vdn6vk9mlvnhiun7io1

It says dcc ready. There is a 8 pin plug on top of circuit board inside loco, has a dummy/bypass plug in it...have looked on bachmanns website and and i`m missing it somehow...someone point me to a decoder that will plug in?