Trains.com

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Decoder recommendation for Bowser s-12

1350 views
6 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 102 posts
Decoder recommendation for Bowser s-12
Posted by Brammy on Thursday, August 8, 2019 8:49 AM

I have an older Bowser s-12 with the 8-pin connector. I bought one of the my usual drop in decoders (NCE NCE5240103). What I didnt' realize is I need to use the extender pins to clear an obstruction on the board. If I use the extender pins, the hood doesn't close all the way.

Does anyone have a recommendation for either a: a cable that will let me use the decoder I have to clear the board, or a decoder they usually use for these switchers?

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 8, 2019 9:43 AM

 I have a TCS T1 with harness in mine. Any smaller decoder with an 8 pin plug on the end of a wiring harness should fit.

                                   --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
    July 2016
  • 102 posts
Posted by Brammy on Thursday, August 8, 2019 9:47 AM

rrinker

 I have a TCS T1 with harness in mine. Any smaller decoder with an 8 pin plug on the end of a wiring harness should fit.

                                   --Randy

 

 

 

Perfect, thanks!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Thursday, August 8, 2019 6:47 PM

 Mine are VO-1000, since the Reading didn;t have S-12s, but same chassis, really.

                        --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
    December 2015
  • From: Shenandoah Valley
  • 9,094 posts
Posted by BigDaddy on Thursday, August 8, 2019 7:40 PM

Not sure if this is of use to the OP, photos are pretty low res.  For anyone wanting sound, the frame needs to be milled.

Bowser Instructions

 

Henry

COB Potomac & Northern

Shenandoah Valley

Moderator
  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Northeast OH
  • 17,249 posts
Posted by tstage on Thursday, August 8, 2019 8:35 PM

Here's a link to a TCS DP2X decoder for a DS-4-4-1000:

https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1486

The lightboard in the DS-4-4-1000 appears to be the same lightboard in Randy's VO-1000 photo and the DP2X needs no harness.  I would think it should also work in your S-12, since they have similar shells.

Can you post a photo of your S-12 chassis with the lightboard?

Tom

https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling

Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.

  • Member since
    July 2016
  • 102 posts
Posted by Brammy on Thursday, August 8, 2019 9:56 PM
My hobby store had a Digitrax decoder with a harness that worked. It was still a tight fit. My dis-4-4-1000 I could use the non-harnessed decoder, but the s-12 was just a slight difference on the shell.

Subscriber & Member Login

Login, or register today to interact in our online community, comment on articles, receive our newsletter, manage your account online and more!

Users Online

There are no community member online

Search the Community

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Model Railroader Newsletter See all
Sign up for our FREE e-newsletter and get model railroad news in your inbox!