Hello all,
I am about to embark on DCC, and so wish to chip some locomotives. I have read good reviews of the newer TCS M1 decoder with BEMF and also the DCX74 series decoders by CT Elektronik. My question is this - half of my models have NEM651 sockets so a DCX74 can be plugged straight in - no problem! However for hard wiring in on non-socketed locos I could use a DCX74 with wire interface or TCS M1 I understand, but the TCS M1 has seven wires instead of six. What is the extra wire (blue) for? I gather it is some kind of common positive for lighting? Is this only needed on American models because European ones are usually designed differently?
e.g. (Both models have built in directional lighting, green blobs are cuts to tracks)
Pictures from: http://leksicom.co.uk/
So no blue wire (see below) needed? Can this wire be ignored when installing a TCS M1 in a European locomotive?
Picture from: http://www.tcsdcc.com/
Thanks if anyone can clear this up for me! Does this relate in any way to subtle differences between NMRA (USA and UK) and MOROP (European NEM) standards in DCC?
I am about to embark on DCC, and so wish to chip some locomotives. I have read good reviews of the newer TCS M1 decoder with BEMF and also the DCX74 series decoders by CT Elektronik. My question is this - half of my models have NEM651 sockets so a DCX74 can be plugged straight in - no problem! However for hard wiring in on non-socketed locos I could use a DCX74 with wire interface or TCS M1 I understand, but the TCS M1 has seven wires instead of six. What is the extra wire (blue) for? I gather it is some kind of common positive for lighting? Is this only needed on American models because European ones are usually designed differently?
e.g. (Both models have built in directional lighting, green blobs are cuts to tracks)


Pictures from: http://leksicom.co.uk/
So no blue wire (see below) needed? Can this wire be ignored when installing a TCS M1 in a European locomotive?

Picture from: http://www.tcsdcc.com/
Thanks if anyone can clear this up for me! Does this relate in any way to subtle differences between NMRA (USA and UK) and MOROP (European NEM) standards in DCC?