I haven't checked lately, but it used to be the T series was a little cheaper than the M series, mainly because the M series was a shrunken down version. There is the KAT series which is the T series with built in keep alive. Unless pressed for space, the T size, if still a buck or two cheaper than the M series, would be the way to go. I've put the plain T1 in lots of things, including the narrow hood Stewart Baldwin switchers, and in the F units. The only thing I used an M size one in was the Bachmann 44 tonner.
When fitting to an Athearn RTR or newer that has a 9 pin plug, it was nice that the T1 without a harness was $1 cheaper than the T1 with a bare wire harness. Since no harness is needed...
Of course, my favorite back in the day was the NCE D13SRJ - you could buy 10 packs for $119. And they are nice decoders. At the time, the cheapest from a major manufacturer, cheaper than some really junky MRC ones that didn't even have silent motor drive. Price has gone up though, such deals are no longer available. At less than $12 to put a decoder in a loco - DCC too expensive?
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
Hello All,
I run non-sound decoders in my motive fleet.
Check out Digitrax.
The two I would recommend are the DH166 series or the DH162 series.
DH166 series has 6-function outputs (lighting effects); 4 on the harness; white (F), yellow (R), green & purple (assignable) with 2 more solder pads on the decoder.
The DH162 has 2-function outputs on the harness white (F), yellow (R). (The green & purple wires on the harness have no function.)
The Alpha designation refers to the type of harness: NMRA 8-pin plug, bare wire, and wire length.
I am upgrading 7 locos from the extremely limited Bachmann decoders to the DH166s. Because I am hardwiring (soldering) them in place I opted for the DH166 with the D harness: DH166D.
This harness has no plug but the wires are 7-inches long so I can place the decoder anywhere I want without having to splice in extensions.
Another advantage of the Digitrax decoders is a built-in 2-pin socket to plug in the PX 108-2 Power Xtender™; a capacitive device to get over dirty track or non-powered frogs- -available separately.
For non-sound applications with limited space, TCS (Train Control Systems) has the KAM series. These are 4-function decoders.
These decoders have the Keep Alive™ built into the decoder. The KAM4 LED also has the resistors built into the decoder for LED lights.
No need to solder resistors between the decoder and the LEDs, saving more precious space.
I installed the KAM 4 LED decoder in an HO Athearn EMD Model 40 critter. A tight fit to say the least.
Unfortunately, the NMRA 8-pin harnesses are not included with the TCS decoders but are available separately.
Yes, the TCS decoders are more expensive but with the built-in Keep Alive™ and no need for resistors in LED applications they provide lots 'O bang for the buck.
Hope this helps.
"Uhh...I didn’t know it was 'impossible' I just made it work...sorry"
Each decoder company usually shows the dimensions of the decoder. Some have no harness and plug right into the socket, eight or nine pin.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
The one thing with the Stewart FTs is the low clearance between the 8-pin socket and the top of the shell panel. I know the MC2P decoder works because I have it installed in three Stewart FTA units. I'm guessing the NCE D14SR should work, as well, given it's diminutive size and profile.
Tom
https://tstage9.wixsite.com/nyc-modeling
Time...It marches on...without ever turning around to see if anyone is even keeping in step.
Many decoders have a nine-pin receptacle, and you use a 'harness' that has a nine-pin plug on one end that plugs into the decoder, and an eight-pin plug that plugs into the receptacle on the green lightboard (after you remove the 'dummy plug' that's in there for DC operation).
You can also get decoders that have the 8 pins connected directly to them. A nice thing about them is they are small enough it doesn't matter how the eight-pin receptacle is set up.
This is an NCE one, but several manufacturers make similar ones:
https://ncedcc.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/201382385-D14SR-Direct-plug-in-HO-decoder-6-function-NMRA-8-pin
BTW it doesn't really matter which company's product you use, they're all compatible with the various locomotive builders and DCC systems. NCE, TCS, Digitrax, ESU, etc. all will work in your engines.
Dave,
Just plug in an 8-pin compatible decoder into the 8-pin socket and your good. Yea, it's that simple.
I'm partial to TCS for motor-only decoders. Their MC2P-UK decoder comes with an 8-pin harness and works very well with the Stewart FTs. (The wires for the plug are rotated 90o to make it fit better.) And the motor-control is terrific.
I have a couple "DCC ready" Stewart FT locomotives that I've had for a long time. The box says DCC ready and inside it looks like there's an 8 pin female plug with 8 pin male jumper board plugged in.
All the DCC decoder choices have my head spinning as a newbie. Does anyone have a part number? I don't think I need to replace the entire circuit board do I??
TIA