Let's say i want to buy an HO non decoder diesel locomotive on ebay, it says on the box "decoder ready", will a soundtraxx 2-Function MC1H102P8 852002 or 4- Function MC1H104AT 852001 work?
The locomotive could be from one of the manufacturers:
1. Athearn Genesis/RTR
2. Atlas Master
3. Intermountain Railway Company
4. Proto 2000
5. Proto 1000
6. Fox Valley Models
7. Rapido
8. Scaletrains
I'm asking this because I don't want to install the wrong decoder. I know certain models from different makers might say which decoder to use and not use.
ATSFGuyThe locomotive could be from one of the manufacturers:
You're casting a pretty wide net there. 8 manufacturers, maybe 20 or so locomotives (rough average) offered by each narrows your choice down to 160 engines?
An 8 pin decoder will plug in to "most" 8 pin sockets but there are lots of variations. Sometimes a pigtail is needed, sometimes a "riser" is needed.
A Proto 2000 EMD E8 is very different than a Proto 2000 Alco S-2 in regards to space available for a decoder.
Many newer locomotives from Athearn, Scale Trains, Rapido and others are using the 21 pin NEM connector. With the 8 pin or 9 pin JST plug you would still have to wire the headlight(s).
Many of the Atlas, Athearn, Intermountain and some Protos can easily use the AT form (AT for Atlas) decoder, from several manufacturers, which is a nearly direct replacement (AKA drop in) for the light board in the DC locomotive.
Still, it matters if it is a hood or cab unit, road engine or switcher. The Proto EMD switchers used a specially shaped decoder to fit under the tapered end of the hood.
If you narrow your choice a little it may be easier to pinpoint a reasonable decoder. Take a look at the installation photos at the TCS site. Even if you choose a decoder from a different maker you can still look up a potential locomotive from their list here and see what is "under the hood" so to speak, then choose an appropriate type (shape and pin configuration) DCC decoder.
https://tcsdcc.com/installations/ho-scale
"Decoder Ready" was a very vague term manufacturers got a little loose with in the early DCC days.
You may get more replies if you (or the moderator) moves this thread to the DCC and Electronics forum.
Good Luck, Ed
I will second what Ed had to say. What type of diesel is it? You really need to know that before you can buy a decoder that will fit. And, it sure wouldn't hurt to know the identity of the manufacturer.
Rich
Alton Junction
You are putting the cart before the horse. You do realize neither of these decoders are sound decoders?
Both decoders can be seen on this page
They are very different in shape and how they connect to the loco. The first plugs in, assuming there is a plug in the circuit board, the second replaces the circuit board and will require soldering skills.
Two functions isn't many if you are considering a modern loco with ditch lights, cab lights, walkway lights.
Henry
COB Potomac & Northern
Shenandoah Valley
BigDaddy You are putting the cart before the horse. You do realize neither of these decoders are sound decoders?
As mentioned, the important thing is what specific locomotives will these decoders be going into? The space restrictions in an EMD SW1 switcher is wa-a-a-ay tighter than what's in an EMD F7 A-B with a dummy B-unit. And sometimes a special harness is needed (like in my Stewart F-units) so that the 8-pin plug is correctly oriented in the 8-pin socket so that Pin 1 lines up with Pin 1.
Also, if these are going to be motor-only decoders, I would consider TCS or ESU over Soundtraxx - especially if any of them will be working a yard or you enjoy really slow starts.
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 decoder manufacturers have compatibility lists for many locomotives and decoders. Some even have installation instructions
George In Midcoast Maine, 'bout halfway up the Rockland branch
Rich my remarks were meant for the OP, not you, but your post did raise the possibility that he may think all decoders are sound decoders or that all sound decoders have sounds that match all locomotives. He's looking to buy a boat trailer before he figures out what boat he wants.
The simple answer to his question is no there is not one decoder that will drop into all of those models.
Let me reword this a little bit with an example:
An Atlas Dash 8-40BW in Red/Silver is the locomotive I’m trying to install a decoder into. It’s part of the Silver Series Line, meaning the engine is all set up to be converted to DCC, just need a decoder. I still want the headlight, ditchlights, rear headlight and numberboards to light up after it’s done.
I know most HO Atlas Locomotives have dual mode decoders that to access, the shell comes off and the switch moves from DC to DCC.
I can’t begin to tell you how these locos tend to play hide and seek on picclick before I even have a chance to get one. Very Difficult!
ATSFGuy I still want the headlight, ditchlights, rear headlight and numberboards to light up after it’s done.
Again, an 8 pin decoder does not include any connections for any light functions beyond forward and reverse headlights.
Wiring for ditch lights and separate number board lights can be a challenge, not impossible but sometimes tricky.
https://shop.atlasrr.com/t-hodash8ditchlight.aspx
This was the main reason for the change to the 21 pin NEM connector now coming into vogue.
https://tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1119
Regards, Ed
Thanks for those links Ed, I will add them to my bookmarks.
I’ve seen pictures of your layout with all kinds of engines running on it. Ones with just headlights, and others with headlights/ditch lights and maybe a mars light or some classification lights.
TCS will be my go-to now for chips, as their decoders have room for the extra light features I want. No more Soundtraxx.
I’m asking for motor-only (DCC) no sound decoders. If I do happen to buy a few locomotives with DCC/sound installed, that’s another matter.
Ed's link to the Atlas site looks like quite a process!
I use 2 function motor control decoders, and for extra lighting like ditch lights, I wire them to the headlight and rear light circuit.
I don't have individual control of the ditch lights, but it serves my purpose. They go on when the headlight goes on, or the rear light, for reverse moves.
Mike.
My You Tube
ATSFGuyTCS will be my go-to now for chips, as their decoders have room for the extra light features I want. No more Soundtraxx.
TCS has been my go-to motor-only decoder for a few years now. Haven't been disappointed yet with either the features or the performance.
I don't model the modern era, but if I did, I'd want ditch lights that flashed with the horn and the whole 9 yards.
ATSFGuyAn Atlas Dash 8-40BW in Red/Silver is the locomotive I’m trying to install a decoder into. It’s part of the Silver Series Line, meaning the engine is all set up to be converted to DCC, just need a decoder. I know most HO Atlas Locomotives have dual mode decoders that to access, the shell comes off and the switch moves from DC to DCC.
You're mixing eras a little bit. The Atlas GE 8-40 was one of the first non-sound engines to come with a decoder installed. At that time (10+ years ago ) Atlas called their decoder-equipped engine line the "Silver Series". The engines came from the factory with a plug in a receptacle to make the engine a DC-only engine. You remove the rear radiator section and move the plug to a different set of holes to make the DCC-decoder active.
Atlas later changed things so their "Gold" line has sound-equipped engines, and the "Silver" were DCC-ready engines, meaning it has a receptacle to plug a decoder into.
BTW most all decoders will work with most all engines, it's just a matter of which options you want in the decoder, which will physically fit in the model the best, and how you make the connection (8-pin, 9-pin, 21-pin, lightboard replacement).
Thanks for all the responses guys, I'll use those links Ed gave me as a guide when buying locomotives and which decoders to use. Too bad Scaletrains isn't in there yet. Any other questions I have I know where to look. This feedback helps a lot.