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Post by nebrzephyr on Dec 3, 2018 7:19:31 GMT -8
Just rec'd one of Athearn's new RTR locos "DCC and Sound Ready" with 21 pin header and LEDs. Pretty impressive light board, indicates support for F0-F8 (minus F2). Also has tabs for a speaker connection (thus no F2 tab). The only criticism I would have is the the rear weight is NOT sound ready. The early "sound read" chassis had a rear weight that allow the "top" to be removed exposing a cavity for a speaker. Waiting for a 21 decoder to verify functions.
Will say on straight DC this loco (SD40-2T) runs every bit as good as any Genesis or Atlas unit I have. Quite surprising.
Bob
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Post by carrman on Dec 3, 2018 11:40:48 GMT -8
I've yet to be able to get the rear headlight or gyralight to work on mine.
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Post by riogrande on Dec 3, 2018 12:06:35 GMT -8
I've yet to be able to get the rear headlight or gyralight to work on mine. That's with the new 21 pin header? I have a bunch of the older RTR DCC ready Athearn tunnel motors and I believe the lights read head light and gyra light would have to be wired in separately from the plugs they used in those (8 or 9 pin?) I've outfitted several with the TCS1 and or TCS4 decoders but didn't get the lights wired in to control the properly. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Dec 3, 2018 16:23:33 GMT -8
The "auxiliary" lights on the old RTR Athearn diesels don't do their trick if you just plug in a decoder. They'll typically be tied in with the headlight.
Ed
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Post by middledivision on Dec 4, 2018 6:18:12 GMT -8
Does the board still have the additional eight pin plug?
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Post by Artur on Dec 4, 2018 7:36:13 GMT -8
Does the board still have the additional eight pin plug? looks like only 21pin plug  |
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Post by middledivision on Dec 4, 2018 9:24:43 GMT -8
Great.
Thanks.
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Post by carrman on Dec 4, 2018 10:58:00 GMT -8
Hoping Soundtraxx eventually does a 21 pin non sound decoder.
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Post by middledivision on Dec 5, 2018 10:27:33 GMT -8
Just checked my new run PRR SD40 and it only has the 21 pin plug. No 8 pin like the older versions.
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 5, 2018 10:37:18 GMT -8
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Post by NS4122 on Dec 5, 2018 13:49:58 GMT -8
Yes, a 21 pin version and motor control matching the Tsunami2 would be nice. Hoping Soundtraxx eventually does a 21 pin non sound decoder. |
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Post by carrman on Dec 5, 2018 15:36:37 GMT -8
And that doesn't help me. |
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Post by nebrzephyr on Dec 9, 2018 13:45:39 GMT -8
Finally got around to installing a decoder in the UP SD40-2T today. It appears that the new Athearn light board pin outs match the 21 pin standard. For example, by default AUX1 is mapped to F3. So, I have this engine configured F0= head light (both directions), F1= rear light (both directions), and F3= ditch lights.
Also, it appears that all the functions on the light board are set for LEDs. No resistor need when adding additional LED lighting. Bob |
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Post by jonklein611 on Dec 10, 2018 6:36:59 GMT -8
Finally got around to installing a decoder in the UP SD40-2T today. It appears that the new Athearn light board pin outs match the 21 pin standard. For example, by default AUX1 is mapped to F3. So, I have this engine configured F0= head light (both directions), F1= rear light (both directions), and F3= ditch lights.
Also, it appears that all the functions on the light board are set for LEDs. No resistor need when adding additional LED lighting. Bob Careful, there are two 21 pin standards: The discrepancy between the standards really ONLY affects AUX3 and AUX4. Technically it affects all Group 8 Functions but TCS and Soundtraxx do not offer decoders that use AUX5 and AUX6 at this time. This means the differences in the standards generally only apply to 6 (or more) function decoders. The net effect you will see if using an incompatible combination is that AUX3 and AUX4 will not work properly. All other features of any decoder remain the same and are fully compatible with any model. If you don't need any of this for your application, none of this matters. If you do, validate your application and shop wisely. NEM660 and NRMA: www.sbs4dcc.com/tutorialstipstricks/21mtcconnector.html |
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Post by nebrzephyr on Dec 10, 2018 7:03:04 GMT -8
jonklein611, you are correct, thanks for the clarification. I should have been more specific. I was referring to the NEM standard and should have mentioned that fact. Bob
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Post by michaele on Dec 10, 2018 7:10:36 GMT -8
My Roco and Trix locomotives use the Plux22 (21 pin with a guide pin) headers using Zimo sound cards. Lots of sounds and good performers too.
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Post by canrailfan on Dec 10, 2018 7:28:45 GMT -8
Athearn specifies it's the NEM version of the MTC21-pin standard.
It would seem that the NMRA version, which has the note "Starting Jan. 1st 2010, this connector will not be recommended for new locomotive designs" should be avoided by DCC manufacturers, leaving the NEM version as the one standard for the MTC21-pin interface.
Have all the DCC manufacturers now adopted the NEM standard?
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