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Help choosing decoders for P2K GP30 and Athearn GP38-2

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  • Member since
    July 2018
  • 661 posts
Posted by IDRick on Monday, March 9, 2020 6:09 PM

Thanks Randy!  I was hoping you would chime in!  You have always given me excellent advice!  Hat tip!

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Monday, March 9, 2020 5:59 PM

 Put a TCS T1 in both of them, and repalce the incandescent bulbs with LEDs. 

Better motor control than any of the non-TCS options you mentioned. 

The DH126 has no BEMF, which is why it is so cheap. 

                           --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 2018
  • 661 posts
Help choosing decoders for P2K GP30 and Athearn GP38-2
Posted by IDRick on Monday, March 9, 2020 5:12 PM

Buying a DCC system with tax refund!  Wahoo! I've decided to purchase motor only DCC decoders for my current locomotives.  I have two P2K GP30's and I'm aware of two drop decoders: NCE P2kSR and TCS LL8.  The TCS decoder is $12 more.  Both have same specs for continuous (1 Amp) and peak (2 Amps) currents.  No resistors are needed with either decoder if I stay with the 1.5 V bulbs (probably change to LED).  The P2KSR has been around for quite awhile but generally gets good reviews.  Go with the P2KSR?

My Athearn GP38-2's have been made DCC ready with a nine pin connector and motor isolation.  I'm debating between the Digitrax DH126D (economy) versus the DH166D (premium).  I will only use one function (lights) so both would work in regards to functions.  The DH166D is $11 more.  I don't know if it has better running characteristics then DH126D to justify higher cost.  Anyone know if there is a difference?

Thanks for your time!

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