Hope I am not bugging everyone too much but I wanted to find out the smallest DCC Decoder you have put in a large scale engine? What was the model of the decoder you put in? (Greg or George, I would be very interested in hearing what you have done in this side). Thanks
What is the smallest DCC controller you have put in an engine?
rreiffer
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Hope I am not bugging everyone too much but I wanted to find out the smallest DCC Decoder you have put in a large scale engine? What was the model of the decoder you put in? (Greg or George, I would be very interested in hearing what you have done in this side). Thanks
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Rich, not to sure what you knowledge is of DCC is, sorry if I'm telling you how to suck eggs.
I think Lenz HO decoders are 1-2A rated. If your locomotive pulls less than the decoder rating you'll be right. Something like the Bachmann rail bus would pull less than 1 A.
I think some N scale decoders can drive about an amp, have a look on your favorite (if you have one) manufactures web site.
Do you have a loco which you think is suitable for a smaller decoder that you would like to try?
Alan
I think Lenz HO decoders are 1-2A rated. If your locomotive pulls less than the decoder rating you'll be right. Something like the Bachmann rail bus would pull less than 1 A.
I think some N scale decoders can drive about an amp, have a look on your favorite (if you have one) manufactures web site.
Do you have a loco which you think is suitable for a smaller decoder that you would like to try?
Alan
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349 Posts
The size depends on how much current that the locomotive draws, I have a Bachmann 2 truck Shay that is using 2 N scale decoders. I was able to use one decoder per power truck. The two motors on mine drew just under 2.5 amps at a stall, and about 1.5 running this means that each motor is only puling between .75 and 1.25 amps. The decoder that I used is rated for 1.5 amp peak 1.0 continuous so the motors are with in the specifications of the decoder. As to the two decoders I just programed them together with the same address and they don't know or care that other one exists. The lights I just left them the way they came from the factory.All that being said the next one I do will have one decoder in it so I can control the lights and sound if i put it in.
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Hi Rich,
While the smallest decoder I've ever used is a Massoth LS, I have friends who have successfully put HO decoders in their small G scale locos. I would rather err on the side of caution because taking locos apart to switch burnt out decoders is not the way I want to be spending my time. If you do decide to use HO decoders, I would recommend Zimo.
Keith
While the smallest decoder I've ever used is a Massoth LS, I have friends who have successfully put HO decoders in their small G scale locos. I would rather err on the side of caution because taking locos apart to switch burnt out decoders is not the way I want to be spending my time. If you do decide to use HO decoders, I would recommend Zimo.
Keith
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24,522 Posts
The smallest I have used is the Zimo MX642, which is pretty darn tiny. I tried a Tsunami HO unit, but it's not a good choice for LS voltages, and it's overrated on power handling.
Realize the Zimos were used in locos that usually run under an amp. The MX642 is 32 x 16 x 6mm and has 3 watt sound.
The two locos are an accucraft Casey Jr. (model of that train in Disneyland) and a Berlyn Casey Jones rail truck.
Details are on my site under "motive power" and the Berlyn and the Accucraft sections.
Greg
Realize the Zimos were used in locos that usually run under an amp. The MX642 is 32 x 16 x 6mm and has 3 watt sound.
The two locos are an accucraft Casey Jr. (model of that train in Disneyland) and a Berlyn Casey Jones rail truck.
Details are on my site under "motive power" and the Berlyn and the Accucraft sections.
Greg
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397 Posts
Rich,
Just to expand on what I told you on the phone last night. I did use a Digitrax DH 163 HO decoder in an small G gauge loco and it's run fine for a few years now. I didn't have room for anything bigger. I have a Hartland 0-4-0 that I'm sure I'll be able to put a HO deocder into next. I need to do that soon while it's still too cold to do much railroading outside. I need to measure the current draw of the 0-4-0 but I can't believe it would be very high. I have a NCE D13SRJ decoder that I'm sure would do the job. I had two Big Haulers that I used DG583 decoders in when I was afraid of burning anything out. THose were definetly ove- kill. I sold one of the Big Haulers (but kept the DG583) and converted the other one to battery.
Bob
Just to expand on what I told you on the phone last night. I did use a Digitrax DH 163 HO decoder in an small G gauge loco and it's run fine for a few years now. I didn't have room for anything bigger. I have a Hartland 0-4-0 that I'm sure I'll be able to put a HO deocder into next. I need to do that soon while it's still too cold to do much railroading outside. I need to measure the current draw of the 0-4-0 but I can't believe it would be very high. I have a NCE D13SRJ decoder that I'm sure would do the job. I had two Big Haulers that I used DG583 decoders in when I was afraid of burning anything out. THose were definetly ove- kill. I sold one of the Big Haulers (but kept the DG583) and converted the other one to battery.
Bob
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817 Posts
I've used several HO sized decoders in smaller stuff. The N scale Digitrax decoders have essentially the same capability, they are narrower and a little more expensive. The Digitrax Z scale decoders handle almost the same current, but they DO NOT handle large scale track voltage.
USA Speeder, TSU1000, sound+motor, marginal on large scale track voltage
Bachmann Handcar, DH123 motor
Aristo PCC, DH123, SFX004 sound
2nd gen Big Hauler, DH123
Bachmann Davenport, ESU v3.5 sound + motor
Bachmann Railtruck, ESU v3.5 sound + motor
LGB Porter, SFX064d sound (NCE D408 motor)
Lionel Handcar, DH123 (with current limiting resistor)
Those were the successes
I burned up a DH123 in a Lionel James and after that and AD320 in the same loco but that one lasted over a year.
USA Speeder, TSU1000, sound+motor, marginal on large scale track voltage
Bachmann Handcar, DH123 motor
Aristo PCC, DH123, SFX004 sound
2nd gen Big Hauler, DH123
Bachmann Davenport, ESU v3.5 sound + motor
Bachmann Railtruck, ESU v3.5 sound + motor
LGB Porter, SFX064d sound (NCE D408 motor)
Lionel Handcar, DH123 (with current limiting resistor)
Those were the successes
I burned up a DH123 in a Lionel James and after that and AD320 in the same loco but that one lasted over a year.
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