Best Value G scale decoders?

Slawman

Slawman

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Hi All,

I want to DCC the rest of my locos (about 10) and I am looking for the best value options for the most basic DCC capability.

I want to be able to program the chips loco address, switch front and rear lights and I would like to be able to program a speed curve. Should have back EMF.

These are mostly LGB locos and will draw a max of 1 amp.

I have looked at the Massoth L and M chips and the LGB decoders.

Are there better options to consider?
 
Not for these guys Greg. I have another 5 or 6 which have a Massoth XLS. I am happy with that chip and use that for locos with Sound.

I find I can only run one or two with sound on at any time or it is too much like a din.....
 
Given that you are used to massoth I would stick with those. The M requires a lot of soldering for the lights so it is cheaper than the L but more work. I think there are "bulk" packs available of 5 which eases the cost a bit. You might find something cheaper but the convenience of having the same CV settings would swing it for me.

EDIT
Also with the L you get a SUSI socket so if you changed your mind about sound in the future you could add a cheap sound only SUSI module. In theory you can attach SUSI to the M as it has all the pins but even more quite fiddly soldering. AFAIK the LGB has no such facility.
 
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Not sure if it is the same now but when I was looking for better value non sound decoders I also found that the smaller Massoth ones were better value than LGB 55021's. Net research and pricing to do me thinks Dave.
 
dunnyrail said:
Not sure if it is the same now but when I was looking for better value non sound decoders I also found that the smaller Massoth ones were better value than LGB 55021's. Net research and pricing to do me thinks Dave.
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Yes, the Massoth L is significantly cheaper than the equivalent (but less capable!) LGB 55021.....

I would echo the advice to stick with Massoth if you're already happy with your XLS-equipped locos; most equivalent decoders of other brands will be at similar prices, so you will gain little from changing brand for the sake of it. Dave's comment about the SUSI socket for future sound expansion is a very good one.
As has been mentioned above, I would avoid the Massoth M unless you are using it for its intended purpose, which was for the little Feldbahn locos. While it will run something Stainz-sized perfectly well, there is a lot of very fine soldering required to access any functions beyond the simple motor operation.
If an L will fit (which it will into almost any loco bigger than the Feldbahn types), I would say that is your most sensible and best-value choice. If you have any locos that are "Direct Decoder" DCC-ready, then the L will plug straight into the main board exactly as an LGB 55021 would, and for any older locos that are not DCC-ready the connection of an L for just driving and light functions is still very straightforward.

Jon.
 
Stick with what you know - seems a common theme and I would agree. Ask a supplier for bulk discount - you never know!
 
I know Herr Peyker in Austria successfully used HO decoders in one motor LGB locos - with a suitable max amperage of course.
I have a Stainz with a Zimo chip and Dietz sound card in it, both originally made for HO scale.

Here she is :

 
I blew up an HO chip - it was only about 20 quid and lasted 45 seconds!
 
PhilP said:
Most smaller-scale decoders will not tolerate our track-voltage!
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Yes, that's what you have to watch - not just the amperage rating (most of which are indeed adequate for a single-motor LGB loco) but the input voltage - some will be OK, as shown by The Stainzmeister's Stainz, but other smaller-scale decoders are built for much lower voltages and putting our 22-24 volts through one will make it go "poof" (am I allowed to say that these days....?).

Jon.
 
Exactly - the voltage
 
Many thanks all for your replies,

The Lenz Lokpilot 4.0 is an HO gauge decoder which will take up to 40v and drive 1 Amp.

I might give one of them a try. They are about $70 a piece cheaper here than the Massoth L.
 
PhilP said:
Most smaller-scale decoders will not tolerate our track-voltage!
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True, but more and more HO decoders will tolerate G scale voltages... I usually use HO Zimo's for smaller locos:

side.jpg


"Casey Jones" rail car, still operating in prototype.
 
Slawman said:
Many thanks all for your replies,

The Lenz Lokpilot 4.0 is an HO gauge decoder which will take up to 40v and drive 1 Amp.

I might give one of them a try. They are about $70 a piece cheaper here than the Massoth L.
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Out of interest, how much DOES a L decoder cost you chaps down there in the anti-podes......?

(Quick thought - does that mean we up here are in the Podes....?)

Jon.
 
Slawman said:
Best price I can find is 114 AUD plus shipping.
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so about £65 uk then that's not too bad then, most of ours are of similar price , Muns (Garden rail outlet) tends to have the best UK price at circa £55 inc p&p.
 
I think the Massoth gear is generally excellent value and I like buying gear off Muns. I am only hunting around because the L decoder does a lot more than I need.... (forwards/backwards, 1 amp.).
 
Slawman said:
I think the Massoth gear is generally excellent value and I like buying gear off Muns. I am only hunting around because the L decoder does a lot more than I need.... (forwards/backwards, 1 amp.).
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Are you *sure* you only need 1 Amp? - Really need to consider stall-current, not just day-to-day running.. :think:
 
PhilP said:
Are you *sure* you only need 1 Amp? - Really need to consider stall-current, not just day-to-day running.. :think:
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Yeah, the HO decoders I've used in the past have all been classed as "High Power" versions rated for 1.8 - 2 amps to give some headroom.
 
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