Yet another "Which Decoder is used" Question

[dano99a]

OK here's the drill: I have a Spectrum DASH 8 40C what decoders fit it?

the LHS suggested direct wiring the DH163 with a 9 pin harness.

Any ideas suggestions comments?

Help!

Thanks a million as usual

[:)]

[cacole]

Most hobby shops don't know anything about DCC decoders because they don't install them and don't know what's inside the products they sell other than what's stated on the box.

Read the documentation that came with the locomotive, or look at the exploded diagram. If the documentation says, "DCC Ready" then the locomotive has an NMRA decoder socket in it. You should be able to tell from the exploded drawing whether or not there is a decoder socket, because it should be labeled as a "DCC Socket."

If you still don't know, open up your loco and see if there is a an 8-pin decoder socket on the internal circuit board -- if there is, you just need any decoder with an 8-pin plug on a wiring harness.

I'm assuming you're talking about N scale, since Bachmann's Web site lists the Dash 8-40C as being available only in that scale -- if so, I don't think any of them are DCC Ready, so decoder installation will require hard wiring and probably total disassembly of the mechanism to get to the motor, and this is not something for anyone without the proper tools and soldering skills.
.

[dano99a]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cacole

Most hobby shops don't know anything about DCC decoders because they don't install them and don't know what's inside the products they sell other than what's stated on the box.

Read the documentation that came with the locomotive, or look at the exploded diagram. If the documentation says, "DCC Ready" then the locomotive has an NMRA decoder socket in it. You should be able to tell from the exploded drawing whether or not there is a decoder socket, because it should be labeled as a "DCC Socket."

If you still don't know, open up your loco and see if there is a an 8-pin decoder socket on the internal circuit board -- if there is, you just need any decoder with an 8-pin plug on a wiring harness.

I'm assuming you're talking about N scale, since Bachmann's Web site lists the Dash 8-40C as being available only in that scale -- if so, I don't think any of them are DCC Ready, so decoder installation will require hard wiring and probably total disassembly of the mechanism to get to the motor, and this is not something for anyone without the proper tools and soldering skills.
.

cacole-

I appreciate your input however after reading it I realized that I really didn't put much meat on the bone so. Here is the revised version:

The product:
HO scale CSX DASH 8 40C

The manufacturer:
Bachman Spectrum

Issue:
Before I even bought this thing, myself and the guys at the LHS, whom are 2 guys I work with that install decoders. All three of us are stumped as to what decoder goes into this thing. If you look at the diagram OR take the shell off what you'll find is a board that looks like a DH163AO (digitrax decoder) could replace however this one is longer.

There is no documentation on the digitrax site (of course) and the documentation from the manfacturer doesn't provide much insight either (no surprise there either).

Any loco can be converted to DCC it's just a matter of how much time (or money) you want to put into it. So, has ANYONE ran across this dilema? What was your solution? I'm not exclusivly digitrax for decoders so if NCE or some other brand makes a replacement board please,... do tell, I'm all ears [:)]

Hopefully this provides a better discription to the problem and also that soldering irons and tiny little chip boards aren't an issue either.

Please help if you can. Once again thanks all of you who have helped in the past and in the future!

[cacole]

Since there probably is no "Plug-n-Play" decoder for this engine, one of the best decoder choices would probably be a TCS T-1. The only functions you need are front and rear lights, and the T-1 has those. It's also very small so there will be no problems finding a place for it to sit.

[nfmisso]

Dano;

What do you want hte decoder to control; then chose a small wired one with enough functions to do the job.

[Anonymous]

A 163 might even be overkill. A 123 or a TCS T1 (if you can find one) will do the job if you can fit them. Im a TCS man because if you blow up the decoder. No matter what happened to it. TCS will replace it no questions asked.

[rrinker]

I've been having a lot of luck with NCE D13SRJ decoders. They offer great running (so do the TCS T1's), and what's best, the palce I buy them from, Empire Northern Models, sells the 10 packs for what comes out to be $12 each. $12 for a solid, top-quality decoder - any installs I do that require wiring anyway get these.

--Randy

[dano99a]

QUOTE: Originally posted by nfmisso

Dano;

What do you want hte decoder to control; then chose a small wired one with enough functions to do the job.

Headlight, Tailight, ditch lights

[dano99a]

***** UPDATE *******

Ok, so after all the reponses on this forum and 2 others, plus the reasearch I did the consensis was to possiblly repace the board with an DH163AO or use the NCE decoder mentioned above OR hard wire a DH123, DH163 or the TCS T1.

Now mind you all info I provided was from the documentation from the box and from bachman.

Lo and behold this thing has a 8 pin plug on it, additioanlly you don't even have to change the bulbs or add resistors, they are already there, the silly thing has LED's.
[:)]

Needless to say obviously Bachman changed the locomotive because the research I found talked about replacing the bulbs, isolating the motor and modifying the frame. SO, I bought the thing and cracked it open to find this.