[Richard Johnson]

*** If you wanted one decoder that will do almost all "OO" loco's irrespective of size, then the TCS MC-2 would be my first choice by a country mile. Excellent reliability and super loco drive control, Industry best goof proof warranty, easily understood instructions and reasonably low price.

If you by it with the UK harness (MC2-UK) for locos that have a socket, then its plug and play with ease. For loco's with a 21 pin plug just use the 21 pin to 8 pin adapter.

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

***To correct Davids post.

The maximum in a CV is not always 255. It can also be 64.

The option for every speed related CV is zero, which by default in every brand is a direct equivalent to maximum - therefore, if you are not sure your decoder is set to max possibility in every way you have two options.

(1) do a factory reset which will set Mid and top volts to zero

(2) check CV5 and 6 and change them manually to zero.

*** Sennapod: In either case the loco which is running slower will be doing so because of track voltage as Zmil said. If you have one of several unregulated brands of DCC you could increase track voltage a little by using a slightly higher voltage transformer. If you have a better brand you MAY be able to increase it via command centre settings... you will need to read the manual or tell us the brand so we can advise you. Bear in mind that there are negative results from increased track voltage - including premature decoder death and coach and loco lighting that, if incandescent not LED, may either burn out or melt the item its installed in.

In either case, manufacturers now make loco's more for realistic speed than top possible speed... so its a "patch" for you, not a general market need

Richard

 

[Richard Johnson]

***Hello Mark
The capacitors are there for when the loco runs under DC, to stop interference.
* When a decoder is installed, it contains far more effective suppression parts and the caps on the loco are just not needed.
* While their effect may be greater or smaller depending on the loco, what they ALWAYS do is come between the motor and the decders back EMF, filtering and masking it so that the decoder is not able to make the loco work as smoothly as it would with them removed.
* It is always OK to remove them and doing so will have no negative effects at all on loco or loco performance - ever!
* Many locos will run far, far better on DCC with them removed but a loco will never run better under DCC with them in!

It takes only two snips with the cutters - just remove them. (yes, there can be more than one) by snipping very close to the capitor disc and make sure the bare ends don't contact metal. they are always across the motor leads so removing them changes no part of the motor drive circuit.

regards

Richard