Hi All, So this might be the wrong place and a little disjointed, I currently have a fleet of NSWGR loco's that i have been collecting for a while, this includes several that already have DCC and sound decoders (2 Eureka models)installed and some which have none. I have 2-3 Loco's that have no DCC chip or sound and I would like to try my hand again at installing some DCC decoders with the possibility of adding sound later, I have in the past on some cheap $50 DC engines installed some basic Hornby DCC chips when i was using Hornby DCC to begin with, I have since moved on to using a NCE power cab and a NCE ProCab coupled with a recently installed SB5a Booster. I have a Lima 442 class that had a Hornby chip installed into its 8 pin slot which was working when i used it (few years back before NCE) I have since tried to use it on the new layout and am unable to program it the controller indicates it cannot read the chip, I have some older Austrians and other vendor loco's that didn't come with DCC that I got off Flea-bay that worked quite well on DC and where in good condition just lacking the DCC chips. At the moment, I'm really look for some guidance on what products/suppliers and user experience the community might have, Appreciate all the help and guidance on this new endeavor cheers, Wombat.
Hi Wombat, From experience I would avoid the cheap Hornby / Bachmann decoders and go for either TCS or Lenz decoders. I’ve never had any issues with programming them on the NCE system. With your SBa5 booster make sure you add a EB1 Circuit breaker as unlike the PH Procab there’s no inbuilt protection https://www.ncedcc.com/online-store/EB1-Single-District-Electronic-Circuit-Breaker-p38322161 Kim
Thanks Kimbo, should I avoid rail operations while this component is missing or just disconnect the booster for now as i'm only really running 1 Loco currently (testing track positioning and point traversal)? Cheers, Wombat.
Hi wombat, It’s there to protect from short circuits, so as long as your careful and there’s no major shorting across the track you should be ok, but you need to be able to turn it off quickly to avoid damaging the 5amp system. The PH pro system has it built in and it shuts down immediately a short is detected. At less than $40 it’s a worth while investment. Kim
It was more of a 'suspend operation till its installed' kind of question, I found this online and wondering if its worthwhile also? http://www.rr-cirkits.com/Notebook/short.html Cheers, Wombat.
I have not come across that circuit before, I am well aware of the issues of using bulbs (allow large currents to flow), but intend to use them, as I have the advantage (full blown block control every 4 meters) that I will have many sub districts, therefor can use many smaller [10W] bulbs (equivalent to one loco). If you don't use the bulb type and go for short circuit electronic protection, you can always sub divide them and add links/switches to each sub circuit, then on a short, you can disconnect them and reconnect in turn till the short shows again. (saves undoing wires but reduces detector numbers) JFYI. The SB5 smart booster is supplied with the P514 power supply which does have short circuit protection of 5 amps
Never had issues with programming or running Hornby or bachmann decoders... only issue I have had is the wires coming off the Hornby decoders at the solder joints
I'll take another look at the chip and solder work tonight but the chip appeared fine when last I looked. I also am looking to convert other Loco's to DCC and would prefer a standardized approach (i.e. one brand/set of chips for control + possible sound addition later). Cheers, Wombat.
Adding sound later will mean changing chips anyway. Will be a different brand unless you stick to lenz from the off
Hi Wombat, if you intend upgrading to sound chips later then may I suggest Lais Dcc chips, literally cheap as chips, both KeithM and myself have used them without any problems and for around £13/14 they are a bargain. We have bought ours of evilbay. Cheer's, Pete.
The real problem with most if not all Lima/Hornby 'pancake motors' is the 'All-or-nothing' nature of many of these motors. A slight tweak of the controller and nothing happens, so you give it more, again nothing, a bit more, still nothing, more still and it goes away like it's backside was on fire, not really very realistic! CD tray motors are the usual replacement for the pancakes, though being only 5 volt, they're better suited for DCC rather than DC control as you can set maximum volts in the decoder CV's. As Pete has said, the LaisDCC decoders are excellent, certainly streets ahead of Hornby and Bachmann, the general consensus is to avoid decoders made by (or marketed by) the model manufacturers. I have now fitted getting on for 50 of the LaisDCC ones to my stable of loco's (I've over 100 and counting), and unless there just isn't physically enough room to fit (and they're amongst the smallest ones) they are my preferred option. For Lima or Hornby Railroad 'cheapies', I certainly wouldn't consider more expensive decoders from the big names, they just can't justify the cost in my opinion. Keith.
