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Post by hiawatha12 on Jul 17, 2020 15:38:11 GMT -8
I recently purchased an HO, Athearn/Roundhouse, RS3. Any tips on the best decoder for this locomotive. I do not need one for sound. Just the basic functions will be fine
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Post by nsc39d8 on Jul 17, 2020 16:56:22 GMT -8
I would say any basic decoder would be fine. One thing I really recommend is removing the Athearn board with the 8 and 9 pin connections, they are very prone to shorting out.
I believe Digitrax has a drop in decoder with the clip to go right onto the Athearn top motor clip. I have not had a lot of experience with these decoders but one I did for a friend required
me to solder the motor brush clip to the decoder clip to get a good motor connection on the top. Just do not lose the motor brush spring if you take the clip off.
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 17, 2020 17:10:56 GMT -8
I used a Soundtraxx MC2I104P9 in each of my three Athearn RS-3's. Just plugged them in. They're 9-pin. And don't let that SOUNDTRAXX word fool you, they're silent.
I feel they run beautifully. I can't tell you what CV's I changed, 'cause I can't read my notes. How often does THAT happen. And they're happily tucked away in a box over there, so I can't read them, either.
Ah well. Anyway, worked great. I tend to agree that most any decoder from a "real" company would work. NCE. TCS. ESU.
Ed
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Post by ncrc5315 on Jul 18, 2020 5:35:38 GMT -8
Personally what I would do, is remove the Athearn board, drop in a Decoder Buddy, then use a Digitrax DH166MT. It's a little more work, but makes shell removal a lot easier. However, if you want to just plug and play, then try this decoder: Digitrax DN146IP.
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Post by Mark R. on Jul 18, 2020 11:25:25 GMT -8
You also need to consider if you are keeping the 1.5 volt bulbs or converting to LEDs. A lot of decoders don't play nice with bulbs any more. The factory board has the 1.5 volt regulators on it, so if you are keeping the bulbs, I would recommend keeping the factory board and just plug an aftermarket decoder into it.
Mark.
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Post by ncrc5315 on Jul 19, 2020 4:57:43 GMT -8
You also need to consider if you are keeping the 1.5 volt bulbs or converting to LEDs. A lot of decoders don't play nice with bulbs any more. The factory board has the 1.5 volt regulators on it, so if you are keeping the bulbs, I would recommend keeping the factory board and just plug an aftermarket decoder into it. Mark. Good point, I always forget about the bulbs. |
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Post by bnsf971 on Jul 19, 2020 5:33:41 GMT -8
You also need to consider if you are keeping the 1.5 volt bulbs or converting to LEDs. A lot of decoders don't play nice with bulbs any more. The factory board has the 1.5 volt regulators on it, so if you are keeping the bulbs, I would recommend keeping the factory board and just plug an aftermarket decoder into it. Mark. Good point, I always forget about the bulbs. I have, too. Until I notice they become tiny, single-use flashbulbs. |
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Post by edwardsutorik on Jul 19, 2020 9:20:05 GMT -8
The TCS A6X has a 1.5 Volt output for bulbs. It looks like it might be a drop-in replacement, too.
Ed
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Post by jonklein611 on Jul 20, 2020 3:19:36 GMT -8
It's pretty hard to go wrong, most of the major manufactures will have a "plug n play" as well as a hardwire solution. TCS typically has nice instructions on their website: tcsdcc.com/installation/ho-scale/1104You can just ignore the keep alive / speaker install portions. |
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