LGB LCE 1 or 2 decoders ?

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DRG11

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Hi All,

Ive just returned from a friends who have given me an LGB LCE, it has 2 Power cars (both motorised) and 4 coaches.

I know that Massoth do not do a sound decoder for the 1st series if these units so has anybody any ideas on how many decoders to put into this unit please, Im not worried about sound (but would be nice) for this train so would you advise ...

1 decoder wired through to both ends or 2 decoders (1 for each end)

Thankyou to all
 
I would be tempted to do 1 decoder wired through with 4 wires so that the Pickup can be utilised from both ends. Will give better running having 10 or 12 pickups. Squires do some very good small joiners that can be had in 32 strips for cutting down (SIL Pin Strips and Sockets). In my 2011 Cat they were on P402 at less than a fiver for a set of 32 way set.
 
The 'easy' way is a decoder at each end, with no through connections..

Then one decoder, wired end-to-end, just pickup and motors (4 wires)..

Finally, one sound decoder, minimum 6 wires (pickup, motor, speaker for each power-car)..
Can add to that, if you want directional lighting, with DCC control.

When I did a 'fully fitted' unit, I used 9-way 'D' connectors, which stay together by friction.. Mainly because I had them to hand.
 
I suspect using a decoder in each unit would require experience of "consisting" locos to work properly. Probably a simple thing but something I've never had the need to try.
If it's any help the PIKO TEE units are designed to have only one chip with through wiring for the other end's unit built in to all cars. I guess they decided that's the best way.
 
Neil Robinson said:
I suspect using a decoder in each unit would require experience of "consisting" locos to work properly. Probably a simple thing but something I've never had the need to try.
If it's any help the PIKO TEE units are designed to have only one chip with through wiring for the other end's unit built in to all cars. I guess they decided that's the best way.
Click to expand...

Not necessary Neil.. - You didn't need to 'consist' two decoders in the Garratt..
Only necessary for linking two loco's with differing addresses.
 
I agree with PhilP. I got one of the recent DB-AG units with add-on cars from Glendale Junction for my brothers grandsons and Brian fitted decoders at each end with sound by Dietz, I think, at one end. No need for any consisting, both ends on the same address but with CV29 altered on the rear unit. As mentioned, this method is the best especially if the unit comes off the track for storage.

TestRunning-10.jpg

Also agree with JonD that through wiring (as supplied by Piko in the DB TEE units) is the best way ahead if you are lucky to have enough storage space on the track to keep the unit in one piece and you don't have to keep phaffing about pulling the cars apart and putting them back together again when you want to run them.
 
PhilP said:
Not necessary Neil.. - You didn't need to 'consist' two decoders in the Garratt..
Only necessary for linking two loco's with differing addresses.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that info Phil, I'm slowly expanding my knowledge of DCC.
For the record I fitted one XL decoder in the Garratt.
 
There are advantages with one decoder, but as said, it involves lots of wires. Shared pick ups and power supply to both motors being the obvious ones. Probably cheaper too.
 
My LCE has one power block and one decoder, with directional lighting fitted and wired through using mini-DIN plugs and sockets.
DSCN3458a.jpg DSCN3460a.jpg DSCN3461a.jpg
 
Hi All,

Apologies for not getting back sooner.

I can see why you would its easier to use 2 decoders set to the same address so it looks like that may be the easiest for me.

They will be on and off the track all the time as there is nowhere outside to store them.

Many thanks everybody.
 
Hi All,

Many thanks again to that replied, Ive nnow decided to go for 1 decoder and thru wire her as it makes more sence with the additional pick ups and less chance to stall,

Off to "Trainwest" model show so will look out for wiring etc that im going to need,

Thankyou
 
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