Decoder location

[ndbprr]

Ok so there are SOME decoders that have built in LEDs for headlights and need to be on top but for the vast majority why wouldn't it make sense to put the decoder in the fuel tank? A simple screw on cover or snap fit like a remote control for a TV would allow access without having to disassemble an engine if the plug connection was there. Alternately putting the printed circuit card under the motor would allow plug in with disassembly also. This would also help with shell clearance issues and the NMRA could set a standard for the size so all would fit. With the weight being packed in engines today filling the entire shell area and leaving the fuel tank open seems much more practical to my way of thinking. Any manufacturers care to try this on a future model?

[mcouvillion]

Seems like a real smart place to put one, doesn't it? I wonder if any of the permanent uncoupling magnets would have any adverse effects?

Mark C.

[jrbernier]

What about engines that have 'small' fuel tanks? The 'light board' drop in decoders appear to be the best way to go right now. The P2K engines have a light board with a small profile plug, no dropping resistors needed!
I suspect that we will see even smaller packages in the future and a mfg 'standard' may come out of this. Remember, the NMRA standards for DCC are basically for the DCC packets that are sent from a command station to a decoder. Even the current NMRA work has to do with extended options that can be sent to the decoder, and two way communication with the decoder. The NMRA got into the 'plug' thing early on and found mfg not reading the doc correctly, and the plug specs were rather large. All of that plug stuff appears to have been worked out by mfg's.
In the future we may see decoders built into the motor asm....I thing LGB is already there or has been looking into this...

Jim Bernier

[Anonymous]

It sounds good, there are a few problems though. Uncoupling magnets might ruin the decoder as mentioned above. Also the fuel tank area is where a lot of the weight for an engine goes. Milling out the space for a decoder would limit your pulling power. You would also have to figure out how to route the wires so that the loco's driveline wouldnt "eat" them up. especially the athearns. the pretty much unprotected flywheels will wrap up any loose wires. I like to mount my decoders on top of the motors but there are plenty of ways to do it. Experiment and see what happens. Id like to know so dont be afraid to post your results[:D]

[cacole]

It is up to the modeler to determine where to install the decoder if it is not a "Plug-n-Play" type. I have usually put them in the rear end of a diesel engine, since there seems to be more open space there than anywhere in the top. Putting a decoder in a hollow fuel tank is a good idea, but most models have part of the frame projecting into this area as added weight.

[Anonymous]

I think the main reason we haven't seen decoders being placed in the fuel tank and weight added to the top area of the shell is due to the fact that it would make the loco topheavy. Going around curves it would increase the tendency of the loco to want to tip over (kind of like some SUVs have a higher tendency to rollover).

[Anonymous]

This isn't exactIy on topic, but I thought it was interesting, I made a visit to my LHS the other day, and the Digitrax expert there had an interesting point. Z and N scale decoders will also work in HO scale. The rated output is the same for Z as HO!!! This really impressed me. Now I can make fewer body alterations to locos to fit a decoder in there.

Greg

[ckape]

Also, the body shell is going to be hollow and have access to the motor for electrical leads anyway, so it seems kinda silly to make a whole new cavity. Plus, I'm no expert in these matters, but it seems to me that putting most of the mass close to the motors would help deaden vibrations from the motor.

As far as magnetics go, if that were a problem several of my decoders that are installed about as close as possible to the motor would have problems, too.

[cacole]

I've used Lenz LE-077 N-scale decoders in several Kato HO scale locomotives because the Lenz decoders are only about the size of a dime. I have never burned one up from an overload in a Kato locomotive, but I wouldn't try this on an older Athearn, Tyco, or Bachmann with their power-hungry motors. The Lenz LE-077 has been replaced with a newer version, but I don't recall the number assigned to it. It really doesn't matter what scale a decoder is made to fit into as long as it has a sufficient amperage rating.