DCC Setup

[ModellerWV]

Im looking to start a new setup and I'm debating going to a DCC controller for it. Im wondering if it is a safe assumption that most new locomotives are going to have a decoder built into them already or if that is something I would have to put in on my own. The last thing I want to do is fry an entire setup.

[trainman203]

Most of them require installation of DCC and sound.

It depends on how electronically savvy you are, but most beginners would be better off paying someone to put DCC and sound into their engines instead of trying to do it themselves with no knowledge.  Even though there are good videos out there of how to do it, you may want for the first one or two have someone do it for you so you can at least start running a train instead of fooling around all night trying to figure out some task you're unfamiliar with and possibly damaging stuff in the process. It won't be cheap, but the job will be right, and you can immediately start operations.

Then you need to consider which DCC system to buy.  There are several out there now, all of which have pluses and minuses.  A lot of people start out with the Bachmann EZ command, like I did, but you'll find after a while that it is relatively limited compared to more advanced systems.  This is not a knock on the EZ command, it really is an ingenious creation for what it is, but it's really directed more to basic train set operation instead of more serious Model Railroading. I have to confess I have not looked, but there are certain to be multiple videos on YouTube about how to pick out a system.

 DCC operation has a learning curve involved, but there are lots of videos, and a bunch of us here on the forum will help you along the way if you need it.  I have to say that you're making the right choice, once you get into the swing of DCC and sound, there's nothing to compare.  Operating silent DC trains will in comparison feel like pushing a corpse around the track..

[jward]

Locomotives will often be marked as DCC ready. DO not get confused, this does not mean they have a decoder in them already. It means they have the motor and the lights isolated from the locomotive's chassis, which is necessary for DCC. They may have a place where you can plug a decoder in, or you may have to hard wire the decoder yourself. If they have a plug, it may have one of several different pin configurations, so if you go this route find out what you have before you order a decoder for it so that you get the right one.

Basic DCC installs are pretty straightforward on a DCC ready locomotive, even the ones you have to hard wire. DCC with soound is a LOT more complicated, and as Trainman has said you'll probably want to have a professional install that if you want it. But DCC without sound is a viable option and most of my locomotives are configured this was. There are tutorials online for installing non sound decoders in many locomotives, and whatever one you purchase may be on that list. Buying a locomotive with DCC already installed is also a viable option, Bachmann markets these as DCC OnBoard (non sound) and DCC Sound Value. Other manufacturers may use different terminaology but as a general rule if the locomotive has sound it will be clearly marked. If it doesn't say so, it doesn't have sound.

[Tenwheeler01]

Most of the locomotives I have purchased the last few years.  Have had two options available DCC/sound or DC only.  Both having a 21 Pin NEM plug. The 21 Pin NEM plug has because the new standard for HO Locomotive manufactures.

Bachmann locomotives I have found to be all over place.  As mentioned above DCC ready does not also mean there is a DCC plug already installed.  I have notice that Bachmann does a very good job in there catalog at noting if the locomotive has a DCC plug and what type or if it has DCC or DCC/sound install.   

The last 4 Bachmanns I purchased.  One had the 8 Pin NMRA plug, 2 had hard connected Sound Value DCC/sound decoders and the last has a 21 Pin NEM plug with a WOW decoder/KeepAlive.   All of the other manufacturers locos I purchases these past few years have had 21 Pin NEM plugs With a TSU2 or Econami decoders.

Looking at Bachmanns online catalog it looks like they now label them this way.

Standard DC - no DCC plug.
DCC ready 8 pin - 8 Pin NMRA plug.
DCC ready 21 pin - 21 Pin NEM plug.
DCC onboard - Motor and lights.
DCC sound value - Motor, lights and basic sound
DCC sound - Motor, lights and advanced sound decoder (Wow, TSU2). 


 

[Ralph S]

I wish to add a few $ cents to this topic.  I have wrestled with this decoder issue for the few locomotives that I have purchased.

The manufacturers of locomotives, including Bachmann may be starting to add the type of decoder but few, if any, actually place the type of decoder plug installed on their packaging.  What is meant by that is whether it's an 8-pin plug or 21-pin plug or even hardwired.  I for one really don't look at the manufacturers catalog at the moment of purchasing to determine if the decoder in the locomotive has an 8-pin or 21-pin decoder.   
When you examine the box (packaging) the locomotive is in, I haven't found any wording or indication as to what type of decoder plug is installed.  The packaging only states whether it is DCC ready (requiring a decoder as an extra purchase).  As for Bachmann's packaging it's DCC Ready and the packaging states (Sound Value, Wow or TSU2).  Other manufacturers only state DCC control (no indication as to what type of decoder pin arrangement).

In conclusion, in my book of intermediate knowledge of DCC operated locomotives, all the manufacturers are very deficient in informing all hobbyist of the internal working of DCC and non-DCC components in the packaging of their respective locomotives.

[JonJet]

I wish to add a few $ cents to this topic.  I have wrestled with this decoder issue for the few locomotives that I have purchased.

The manufacturers of locomotives, including Bachmann may be starting to add the type of decoder but few, if any, actually place the type of decoder plug installed on their packaging.  What is meant by that is whether it's an 8-pin plug or 21-pin plug or even hardwired.  I for one really don't look at the manufacturers catalog at the moment of purchasing to determine if the decoder in the locomotive has an 8-pin or 21-pin decoder.   
When you examine the box (packaging) the locomotive is in, I haven't found any wording or indication as to what type of decoder plug is installed.  The packaging only states whether it is DCC ready (requiring a decoder as an extra purchase).  As for Bachmann's packaging it's DCC Ready and the packaging states (Sound Value, Wow or TSU2).  Other manufacturers only state DCC control (no indication as to what type of decoder pin arrangement).

In conclusion, in my book of intermediate knowledge of DCC operated locomotives, all the manufacturers are very deficient in informing all hobbyist of the internal working of DCC and non-DCC components in the packaging of their respective locomotives.

With regard to Bachmann packaging...
If the box label says (DCC Ready) the chances are good it has an NMRA 8-pin
The 21-pin boxes are clearly marked on the front of the box in the top right corner "NMRA 21-pin plug"

[Ralph S]

Dr. JonJet, I agree with your assessment that Bachmann's packaging for the newer released locomotives will have the NMRA designations.   
 The best thing that I have learned that Bachmann and no other manufacturer has instituted is labeling their DCC locomotives on the underside (diesel tanks on diesel locomotives) with "DCC on board".  This is a fantastic designation when combing through swapmeets and on-line items.  It provides an instant designation as to what one may find internally on a locomotive.  Mind you, that for second-hand items it doesn't mean that the decoder is installed/damaged/missing.  It just means that at least that locomotive had at one time or another the capability to operate on DCC control.

[jward]

I also like the DCC marking on the bottom. I also add the DCC address of the locomotive with a gold sharpie, so that if I ever need to reprogram the locomotive I'll know what it was. Most of my locomotives are destined to be repainted for my own railroad, and the DCC address may not match the cab number until they are done. This would also come in handy for those using EZ Command where the supply of addresses is limited.

[JonJet]

I have probably done 50+ DCC conversions over the past few months...the first ones were 8-pin DCC Ready and were later swapped for a true DCC board that had better lighting functions to My liking...

I've also done full DC to DCC conversions where the entire board had to be changes and hard-wired - not a big deal once You get accustomed to what to look for

The brand really doesn't matter...any loco that runs decent on DC will run fine on DCC - just a matter of making the 10 connections in the proper places