Fitting decoder in Piko Harzkamell

Ralphmp

Ralphmp

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As a surprise birthday present I received a Piko Harzkamell, a loco I’ve wanted for sometime. It’s analog and I run DCC and I’m not sure which decoder to install.

All of my experience has been with Massoth decoders, apart from one ESU decoder I fitted into Thomas the Tank Engine. However, I see that Piko offer a decoder for the Kamell (although no one seems to have one in stock at the moment!) and I wondered if anyone has experience of fitting/using this, and whether it is a better option than, say, a Massoth XLS.

I‘d also welcome any advice on taking the Kamell apart. (I looked at the decoder fitting guides and whilst there are some threads that apparently describe putting Massoth decoders into a Piko model, some of them have a red X through all the pictures or link to items that cannot be found.)

Thanks in advance.
 
My Kamel has a Massoth Decoder fitted. Not too difficult to do though I did renew all the lighting. It has now been fitted up for battery dcc so has been apart a few times now. Key to remember that when you have done all the visible screws (below) the front buffers twist gently out forwards to get the bonnets off.
 
dunnyrail said:
My Kamel has a Massoth Decoder fitted. Not too difficult to do though I did renew all the lighting. It has now been fitted up for battery dcc so has been apart a few times now. Key to remember that when you have done all the visible screws (below) the front buffers twist gently out forwards to get the bonnets off.
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Thanks Jon. Out of interest, which decoder did you use?
 
I used the Massoth XLS with mine, I found that this dc Piko loco will not run on ‘0’ as an analog loco, on a DCC system, it trips out straight away, or mine did. It does say so on the instructions. I have had mine for a few years so they have changed by now
Dave
 
Ralphmp said:
As a surprise birthday present I received a Piko Harzkamell, a loco I’ve wanted for sometime. It’s analog and I run DCC and I’m not sure which decoder to install.

All of my experience has been with Massoth decoders, apart from one ESU decoder I fitted into Thomas the Tank Engine. However, I see that Piko offer a decoder for the Kamell (although no one seems to have one in stock at the moment!) and I wondered if anyone has experience of fitting/using this, and whether it is a better option than, say, a Massoth XLS.

I‘d also welcome any advice on taking the Kamell apart. (I looked at the decoder fitting guides and whilst there are some threads that apparently describe putting Massoth decoders into a Piko model, some of them have a red X through all the pictures or link to items that cannot be found.)

Thanks in advance.
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I recently installed an ESU 5XL with Schwoboda sound and do not regret it for a second. The locomotive runs much smoother than the Massoth XLS I had before, sound quality is much better and configuration options are endless.
 
bruno.degraeve said:
I recently installed an ESU 5XL with Schwoboda sound and do not regret it for a second. The locomotive runs much smoother than the Massoth XLS I had before, sound quality is much better and configuration options are endless.
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Thanks for the info. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the ESU 5XL.
 
Ralphmp said:
I see that Piko offer a decoder for the Kamell and I wondered if anyone has experience of fitting/using this, and whether it is a better option than, say, a Massoth XLS.
Click to expand...
Installing the PIKO decoder is for sure the easiest. I've did one in the past (for their DB V 20 and V 36), and it was super easy. Biggest benefit is that the mounting points for the analog circuit board line up with their DCC board, which is not the case if you install a Massoth or ESU decoder.

If you go the PIKO route, make sure to pick their latest offering (#36540 SmartDecoder XP 5.1 V 100 / BR 199), and not some of the older conversion kits (#36122 decoder + #36196 sound kit V 100 / BR 199). Indeed, it's not in stock (yet), it's a new decoder version for 2022.

I am installing an ESU 5 XL decoder at the moment, together with a smoke unit, and some other goodies. For me it's an easy choice, ESU for the configuration options and better sound quality.
Ralphmp said:
I‘d also welcome any advice on taking the Kamell apart.
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I took some pictures when I disassembled mine. I always do that for future reference.
Uploaded the pictures with some notes on my site, hope that's somewhat useful to you: Gallery - PIKO G Harz Kamel Disassembly Guide - Large Scale Train Blog
 
WillemD said:
Installing the PIKO decoder is for sure the easiest. I've did one in the past (for their DB V 20 and V 36), and it was super easy. Biggest benefit is that the mounting points for the analog circuit board line up with their DCC board, which is not the case if you install a Massoth or ESU decoder.

If you go the PIKO route, make sure to pick their latest offering (#36540 SmartDecoder XP 5.1 V 100 / BR 199), and not some of the older conversion kits (#36122 decoder + #36196 sound kit V 100 / BR 199). Indeed, it's not in stock (yet), it's a new decoder version for 2022.

I am installing an ESU 5 XL decoder at the moment, together with a smoke unit, and some other goodies. For me it's an easy choice, ESU for the configuration options and better sound quality.

I took some pictures when I disassembled mine. I always do that for future reference.
Uploaded the pictures with some notes on my site, hope that's somewhat useful to you: Gallery - PIKO G Harz Kamel Disassembly Guide - Large Scale Train Blog
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info and link to pictures.
 
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