Dose an engine have to have DCC on board or at all to be able to be programed into the DCC controler
Dear Transit,
Yes, it must have a decoder to accept programming.
Our EZ Command will, however, control an analog (non-DCC) loco on address 10. Some other systems, including our Dynamis, will not support an analog address.
Have fun!
the Bach-man
Also although almost any locomotive can theoretically be converted to DCC, many do not lend themselves to DCC conversion for a variety of reasons. In order for a locomotive to communicate with a DCC system, it must have a DCC decoder. Like the Bachmann said some systems can operate 1 DCC loco, but one must do so with caution because leaving a DC loco on the track for an extended period can cause it to overheat and otherwise damage the loco. Just don't forget all track is "live" even if the throttle is set at 0.
Ok. thankyou. What Decoder is best for the Jupiter engine, 0-6-0 steam, and Kato GP
Quote from: NscaleNJtransit on March 18, 2011, 04:20:44 PM
Ok. thankyou. What Decoder is best for the Jupiter engine, 0-6-0 steam, and Kato GP
I do not suggest a decoder for a Bachmann American 4-4-0 Jupiter, but ultimately you should do what makes you happy. The 0-6-0 will also be a tough install, and is not recommended for a beginner, but if you have the experience try a DZ125 decoder. Incidentally the Kato does not have a drop in, I looked at the chart wrong, sorry for the confusion.
For all the loco's listed, there is no drop in decoder.
The Jupiter is a tiny loco and the motor is in the tender. The motor takes up all the space in the tender, the boiler is cast solid, there is no spare room. Some people have carved out the fuel load in the tender, installed the decoder above the motor, then built a load over top of the decoder.
The 0-6-0 isn't too bad but it will be a solder in install. The best place for the decoder is in the tender. You will have to insulate the motor from the frame and then run wires from the motor and frame into the tender. I suggest picking up one of the spectrum tenders for the 0-6-0. It makes installing a decoder easier and gives you all wheel pickup which improves performance.
Any Kato made GP is the older design which was not intended for DCC. If it has the small push in headlight and rear light LED boards in it, you can use a TCS CN-GP decoder for the install but it still requires disassembly of the loco, insulating the motor from the frame and soldeing leads to the motor.