Gday folks Just wondering what peoples preferences in decoders are. I have been using DCC concepts Zen 360s but have let the smoke out of 4 of them so far so am looking for other ideas. I like the ESU Lokpilot V4 but people complain that if it fails, ESU won't help at all. Don't know how correct this is though. I have a couple of Lenz chips that came with engines that whilst I can read the chip and write to them, for some reason, they won't run. They did the same with the old Railmaster setup and still do it with the Ecos. The versions are 4.1 and 5.1 I think. I have another Lenz 7.1 which runs fine.Zimo chips seem to be highly regarded but I can't seem to find anywhere in Oz that sells them.Basically what I need is at least 1 amp and 4 functions. Not worried about sound as my train room is very echoey (is that a word?) so when I run one train with sound, any more just sounds like noise.I am leaning towards ESU so they should be 100% compatible with the Ecos. Bear
If you were after the Zimo decoders, I recommend purchasing them from Digitrains in the UK. I have been using Digitrains for my last few sound locos and their service is fantastic, that is if you don't mind the wait for delivery from the UK... http://www.digitrains.co.uk/ Usual disclaimer here, I'm just a happy customer ! Link to Zimo : http://www.zimo.at/web2010/products/lokdecoder_EN.htm In Oz, you could try Orient Express Model Railway Shop. Apparently they are the sole importer of Zimo decoders... http://www.orientexpressmodels.com.au/index.htm I also used ESU/Loksound decoders and have used DCC Concepts S2SAP-5 decoders (self adjusting BEMF and Stay Alive, 1 amp, 2 function) when I first started with DCC. Cheers, Gary.
ooooo, this could be a painful thread Now depending on the cause of the smoke escaping, may lead to different advice. I have a couple of TCS T1 2 function decoders, TCS have a goof proof installation policy, they will replace the decoder if its fried during installation. https://www.tcsdcc.com/ I have used Hornby, Hattons, DCC Concepts and Gaugemaster standard decoders, and they survived my installation, I do like the decoders with 9 pin JSt connections, often supplied with an 8 pin decoder plug at the other end, these tend to be my test installatiuon decoders. I will wire up the loco, the test with a cheapo decoder 1st, then swap out for a better one after all is ok. The Gaugemaster DCC27 has become my latest test decoder I have http://www.gaugemaster.com/item_details.asp?code=BPDCC27&style=&strType=&Mcode=Gaugemaster+BPDCC27 As it has a jst to 8 pin cable, plus a 21 pin connection built in to the decoder. Ideal for the spares box. I fitted one into the Heljan DPU, which ran all weekend at both the Dundee and Elgin shows without issues. Paul
Hi Paul, I did not realise that was what you were running the DPU on. It certainly done the job at the show. Ran as smooth as you like. Toto
Hi Bear If you are letting the smoke out you may need to check to see if your DCC system has an effective circuit breaker that cuts the power and doesn't keep hitting it with max out until the short disappears Re decoders The TCS range is very good and the warranty is great Goof proof as they say The TCS T series decoders provide good control with lots of options for Keep Alive and function outputs. Then there's the NCE D13SRJ decoder it's a bigger unit and seems to Handel a lot as they are designed with Athearn model in mined and if you buy the 10 pack very good value. ESU I don't know any one that has got any result with faulty decoders I had one that was dead from the pack never fitted to a loco, only put on a ESU decoder tester and couldn't get any where with them, it must have been me that blew it up was tha answer, so no warranty or support from Seller or ESU. I won't use any more. Zimo decoders provide great control and the quality of the sound from these is also very good for the sound equiped ones. However are at the more expensive end of the price range. Photo below shows the size of three decoders on the left TCS M series in the middle is a generic decoder but this is the same size as a TCS T series and at right the NCE D13SRJ. To give you an idea of the size. As far as smoke proof decoders I have a very old Bachmann decoder probably 10years old only has 2 functions and Basic motor control, no real adjustments in the decoder settings, I use it to test problem locos as you just can't blow it up have drawn 3.5amps through it with old style O scale locos put it in a train that was wired wrong with the track power to the motor pins and it is still going Attached files
For non-sound decoders, Lenz without a doubt, pricey but good, sound decoders, I much prefer Zimo over ESU. Keith.
Interesting phone call to Orient Express Totally uninterested in selling stuff. Much preferred to belittle the potential customer. I have ordered a couple of ESUs from DCC Concepts. Doubt if they will make it here before Christmas but no matter. At least the guys over there are very nice on the phone. I think the smoke issue was overloading the Zen decoders. I always thought that they were 1 amp but are only 750mA. Roco engines are very heavy and draw a lot of current. They seem ok in the lighter Hornby trains. These 2 lenz decoders i have, have me stumped. i can read all the CVs, write to them but just won't run the train. I turned on DC operation in CV29 in one of them and it ran beautifully on analogue. They show up as type 41 and 51 in CV 7. Can't find a manual (yet) that shows default settings. I have a krokodil that has a lenz Gold (type 71) and it runs fine. I even copied the CVs from it and put them into the others but still nothing. There is something very simple I am missing. The last Zen decoder to smoke was in the Trix Tegernsee. A fairly small loco that should not pulled more than 750mA. I don't know what the hell is going on. I don't have any circuit breaker on the layout as eventually, I would like to run up to 8 or 10 trains at once so I will need all the current i can get
I run the Lenz system and have had no problems in reading or rewriting to any make of decoder I've so far tried, and that includes most of the well known makes. I'm aware that not all DCC control systems can write or rewrite to a chip, but the Lenz setup seems pretty 'bomb-proof', and also has a fast acting overload in case of problems. As a result of this, so far I've not had a case of the dreaded 'white smoke' in over 60 decoder installs. Keith.
Hi Bear The TCS T1 may be worth a look at 1.3A continuous and 2.0A peak https://www.tcsdcc.com/Customer_Content/Products/Decoders/HO-Scale/T-Series/T-Series.htm Paul
Finally solved the problem with the Lenz decoders. I had CV29 set for 28/128 speed steps and the profiles in the Ecos set for 128..nothing. Set the Ecos for 28 steps and away they went Also set the current limit to about 1500mA so hopefully no more smoke
