Thinking of buying the Dapol class 22 BR diesel, has any forum member got one? If I was to install a decoder can one be recommended? What pin decoder is required?
Regards
Mark Bridle
Regards
Mark Bridle
Mark Bridle
I got my 22 when they first became available. It is a lovely model, very well detailed. While it is smooth'ish' in running, it's not up to the standards of Heljan motors. Perhaps mine needs more running in.
I weathered it myself.
Mine has a Loksound 4 decoder fitted (21 pin). It originally had the Howes class 22 sound but I got Bryan to do a special one-off sound package which is actually a single engine version of their class 42.
Class 22's had exactly the same engines as class 43's, however, since no 43's are preserved, I went for the next closest thing: a 42. Well, that's my theory anyway! (I understand that there are now 2 x class 43 engines in preservation which will be fitted to one of the preserved 42's while its own engines are overhauled - that will be the tme to get a 22 recording)
It's not a perfect match of course, but its a hell of a lot better than all those 22's running at exhibitions with Hymek sounds and even Howes' own 22 package which, in my opinion, sounds like some kind of factory conveyer-belt system and nothing like any Broitish diesel - it has no rev up and down for a start.
Anyway, judge for yourselves. My weathering and sound here: http://www.mrol.com.au/Articles/DCC%20Soun...undClass22.aspx
My advice: go for it!
I weathered it myself.
Mine has a Loksound 4 decoder fitted (21 pin). It originally had the Howes class 22 sound but I got Bryan to do a special one-off sound package which is actually a single engine version of their class 42.
Class 22's had exactly the same engines as class 43's, however, since no 43's are preserved, I went for the next closest thing: a 42. Well, that's my theory anyway! (I understand that there are now 2 x class 43 engines in preservation which will be fitted to one of the preserved 42's while its own engines are overhauled - that will be the tme to get a 22 recording)
It's not a perfect match of course, but its a hell of a lot better than all those 22's running at exhibitions with Hymek sounds and even Howes' own 22 package which, in my opinion, sounds like some kind of factory conveyer-belt system and nothing like any Broitish diesel - it has no rev up and down for a start.
Anyway, judge for yourselves. My weathering and sound here: http://www.mrol.com.au/Articles/DCC%20Soun...undClass22.aspx
My advice: go for it!
I'm very happy with my Dapol/Kernow weathered class 22.
Mine started off with a TCS EU621 21-pin decoder, which worked well, but it now has an ESU LokSound v4 with Howes' sounds on. That runs just as well as, or probably even better than, the TCS one.
I did have a problem with mine that was entirely NOT of Dapol's making, where a derailment and subsequent short-circuit failed to trip the circuit breaker and caused a meltdown in one axle and the surrounding bogie components. Dapol's Dave Jones and DCC Supplies (Dapol's agent) sent me a complete bogie replacement to repair the damage at no cost to me. I did emphasise to them that the damage was not in any way a warranty claim but they came to the party in magnificent style, for which I am very grateful.
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Running qualities of the 22 are very smooth, with a faint hint of gear whine that is not unpleasant at all. For a fairly diminutive prototype, the model is very powerful - it will probably surpass what the real ones could haul, although I haven't tested this to the full.
Decoder fitting is easy as the body just unclips from the chassis, in much the same way as most Heljan diesels do.
Mine started off with a TCS EU621 21-pin decoder, which worked well, but it now has an ESU LokSound v4 with Howes' sounds on. That runs just as well as, or probably even better than, the TCS one.
I did have a problem with mine that was entirely NOT of Dapol's making, where a derailment and subsequent short-circuit failed to trip the circuit breaker and caused a meltdown in one axle and the surrounding bogie components. Dapol's Dave Jones and DCC Supplies (Dapol's agent) sent me a complete bogie replacement to repair the damage at no cost to me. I did emphasise to them that the damage was not in any way a warranty claim but they came to the party in magnificent style, for which I am very grateful.
Running qualities of the 22 are very smooth, with a faint hint of gear whine that is not unpleasant at all. For a fairly diminutive prototype, the model is very powerful - it will probably surpass what the real ones could haul, although I haven't tested this to the full.
Decoder fitting is easy as the body just unclips from the chassis, in much the same way as most Heljan diesels do.
Certainly haven't! But if it suited my chosen modelling, I would have one (or more as appropriate to the area allocation) like a shot*. Seen it at a couple of shows, looks right overall, well detailed and finished, ran very sweetly. So, on the money by the standards of current RTR. Takes a 21pin decoder, I would use one of my stockpile of Bach 36-554 as it is likely that this cheap but competent decoder would be more than good enough for the intrinsically smooth running mechanism. Failing that, a Lenz silver 21pin, never found a centre motor chassis it would not drive well.
*It's the similarly styled (also of NBL origin) class 21 I am waiting on from Dapol's announcement list. Hopefully Dapol will make an equally good job of this, and my home brew class 21 (much altered Hornby class 29 body on a Bach 25 chassis) can be withdrawn. (It runs sweetly enough, the Bach chassis being a class act in this department; but the body is very much compromised in many departments, and I have improved it as far as my skill allows...)
*It's the similarly styled (also of NBL origin) class 21 I am waiting on from Dapol's announcement list. Hopefully Dapol will make an equally good job of this, and my home brew class 21 (much altered Hornby class 29 body on a Bach 25 chassis) can be withdrawn. (It runs sweetly enough, the Bach chassis being a class act in this department; but the body is very much compromised in many departments, and I have improved it as far as my skill allows...)
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