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QUOTE (digger1962 @ 8 Jan 2009, 15:44) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I'm sure this is going to sound like a pretty daft question to those of you who use DCC, but at the moment I don't and am unsure. I am considering converting my current DC OO layout to DCC.
There seems to be a number of different types of decoder on the market from a number of manufacturers. Add to this the fact that you can get single sided, double sided and some without any wiring harness at all I'm confused as to which will fit my locos.
Are there any sites around that give advice on which ones fit specific locomotive? I don't particularly want to purchase one only to find that I can't fit it due to space constraints.
The option of no wiring harness looks the better option to my uninitiated eye, but I guess there are reasons why it might not be the obvious choice.
Any help would be most gratefully received as always.
Many thanks.
Mark.
Mark
For non equipped locos (with no 8 pin board ' known as DCC ready) the all in one with no harness is not for you (the ZTC 4007 as an example) get one with a harness, remove the 8 pin male plug on the end and follow the steps on many sites that show how to hard wire a decoder in; try at all times to use heat shrink over your soldered joins and keep the final wired unit nice and tidy to avoid any moving parts coming into contact with the harness of wires.
I have done many non DCC ready loco's and have not (yet) experienced any difficulties; plus the fact its quite nice to potter away in this manner, pop the body back on etc etc; you can also if you feel brave add lighting and such things as smoke fans on diesels or smoke in steam, all controlled by the chip; it'll default as CV1 to number 3, so for short addressing change to say the last couple of numbers as the cab. If you own an ECoS controller then numbering is really a thing of teh past although each unit will still require a dedicated number.
All the best
CFT
There seems to be a number of different types of decoder on the market from a number of manufacturers. Add to this the fact that you can get single sided, double sided and some without any wiring harness at all I'm confused as to which will fit my locos.
Are there any sites around that give advice on which ones fit specific locomotive? I don't particularly want to purchase one only to find that I can't fit it due to space constraints.
The option of no wiring harness looks the better option to my uninitiated eye, but I guess there are reasons why it might not be the obvious choice.
Any help would be most gratefully received as always.
Many thanks.
Mark.
Mark
For non equipped locos (with no 8 pin board ' known as DCC ready) the all in one with no harness is not for you (the ZTC 4007 as an example) get one with a harness, remove the 8 pin male plug on the end and follow the steps on many sites that show how to hard wire a decoder in; try at all times to use heat shrink over your soldered joins and keep the final wired unit nice and tidy to avoid any moving parts coming into contact with the harness of wires.
I have done many non DCC ready loco's and have not (yet) experienced any difficulties; plus the fact its quite nice to potter away in this manner, pop the body back on etc etc; you can also if you feel brave add lighting and such things as smoke fans on diesels or smoke in steam, all controlled by the chip; it'll default as CV1 to number 3, so for short addressing change to say the last couple of numbers as the cab. If you own an ECoS controller then numbering is really a thing of teh past although each unit will still require a dedicated number.
All the best
CFT
