Hattons DCR-21pin Direct V2 - Not the same as most others - Official - Updated

Hattons decoders are my default brand for cost effective control of my locos from hardwiring to plug-in to 'ready' locos. I have fitted many and overall pleased with their operation.

Most of my locos only require at most F0 for running lights, many kettles and old diesels just speed control as I have mentioned in the "DCC Control" section of this forum.

However applying one of these decoders to a Dapol Class 22 D6325 BR Green, 4D-012-004, which I purchased just after it's release in June last year has highlighted a possible issue. This loco utilises all 6 functions, so ok lets see them all working.

The first 2 are the usual running lights, then the 3rd and 4th a prototypical mode affecting the running lights, ok so far. But cab lights individually operated by the 5th and 6th functions no joy.

Testing the decoder on my ESU test board no joy either so after a search around the web as well as some input from SRman on here I contacted Hattons.

Initially they referred my to the one and only data sheet they supply for their MD4 decoders which of course is 4 function (hmm), but at least they sent me a copy of their full CV table, still no joy.

I pressed further and got this reply :-

"On the majority of 6-function decoders, functions 1-4 are for full power functions ie controlling movement, LED'S etc, whilst the remaining 2 functions are for lower power logic control like on-off functions via a transistor.

Hattons' own 21-pin decoder is slightly different whereby all 6-functions are full power.

If the loco you are looking to fit the decoder to is set up for logic control, this may be an issue."

So the Hattons 21 pin is not the same as others, but no data is available for the Dapol loco's requirements or of their Imperium. However if the Hattons decoder functioned as above then it should have driven the LEDs on the ESU board, it doesn't (oh dear).

I pressed further and got another vague reply, no prizes for guessing the source of this info on the web :-

"This is merely the opinion/findings of an enthusiast, like yourself, so any changes made to CV settings are at your own risk.

F0 works the headcode plus marker or tail light directionally at the A end, F1 works the headcode and marker light at the B end, and F3 works the tail light at that end.
A useful trick with decoders is to change the logic outputs to full-powered outputs with a simple CV change.
You need to program CV8 to 3 for powered outputs (as the 'C' variant), or CV8 = 4 for logic outputs (as the 'D' variants).​

I hope this resolves your lighting issue and you have a fully working Class 22 very soon, and if you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact us."

Note two points
(1) "So any changes made to CV settings are at your own risk."
(2) "if you have any further questions then please do not hesitate to contact us."

So I asked for the enquiry to be pushed up the technical ladder, this was followed by a how did we do survey which usually means "Finished, go away"

To other forum readers I hope this 'review' assists you when choosing a 21 pin decoder for locos requiring 5 to 6 functions.

Update 20/09/19 a further (unexpected) reply from Hattons :-

"I have spoken with one of my colleagues regarding this and he has offered the following advice :

Check out the instructions by following the link below, the Hattons 21-pin decocer works the same as the Zen Black 218.6"

https://www.dccconcepts.com/manual/zen-black-decoder-manual/

It's a big data sheet/instruction booklet, so I will endeavour to see if the right configuration can be set.

Jim

 

Duff posting...

 

Thanks Sol.

Correction regarding the ESU 53900 test board it has LEDs directly attached to Aux outputs 0,1,2, and transistors for 'logic' outputs on Aux 3,4,5 & 6 which drives LEDs.

Therefore it is behaving as the Dapol 22.

My mistake.

 

The Zen Black 218.6 instructions are quite clear, it would appear that the ZN218.4.2 Black would be appropriate for the Dapol 22 not the ZN218.6 Black which the Hattons DCR-21pin Direct V2 mimics or maybe is a rebadged ZN218.6.

Well I'm not going to buy another decoder just for cab lights, at least I know what is what and at least have detailed instructions for this Hattons decoder now