Bachmann change the DCC socket on their latest locos and not a word on this newsgroup ?
DCC ready but are there many decoders available ? Did Bachmann announce it ? Got to buy an adapter for current decoders !
you can hear a pin drop - or 21 inserted !
Simon
In what way have they changed the socket? This mght have a bearing on a little problem I have.
All Branchline class 66 Locos recently delivered feature a 21 pin Digital Decoder Socket.
21 Pin Decoders are a brand new technology that provides certain benefits. 1) Reduces the amount of wiring on board the Locomotive and thus makes DCC installation a much neater and easier task. 2) Allows more decoder outputs, therefore the decoder will be able to control a greater number of functions on any given locomotive. 21 pin decoders are expected to gradually replace 8 pin decoders over time. We will have a 21 pin decoder available in the near future, in the mean time, a 21 pin to 8 pin adaptor will be available. Branchline item number 36-559. This adaptor allows any of our standard 8 pin decoders to be plugged into the 21 pin socket fitted to the loco. This adaptor is also available from the Liliput range as item number L38004. (Page 106 of 2006 catalogue £3.20rrp) Any person wishing to make convert their Class 66 loco to DCC operation should obtain the 36-559 until 21 pin decoders become available. Kindest Regards Simon Judd
I think you would have noticed already if it is. It takes 21 pins instead of
8Simon
Thanks for the excellent factual summary, now can we have the tabloid headlines (some of which are based on misinterpretation):-
Bachmann lock in to own decoders. Bachmann force an extra £3.20 per decoder. Just what are Bachmann up to - why didnt they tell us (they managed to pre-announce their new digital system early enough). We conclude that Bachmann DCC ready locos not compliant with NMRA standards - until someone checks that is. Adapter makes it even harder to fit decoders into some locos cos of space problems. Go from 8 pins to 21 pins and reduce wiring making things easier - but me and my train set only want 1 function !
I look forward to other suggestions !
This posting may be considered tongue in cheek !
Cheers, Simon
"simon" wrote
No but to be fair it has been debated on the DCCUK Yahoo group.
Nope, but adaptors are promised.
Nope.
Should be provided free in my opinion.
There are suggestions that the matter will be referred to Trading Standards, as clearly the class 66s are NOT DCC Ready in the accepted sense.
John.
"simon" wrote
I'll be interested to hear your comments if, as expected, Hornby produce ALL their locos with ready-fitted decoders in the near future, and you'll have to pay for the non-option even if you're using analogue control.
You're so pro-Hornby Simon, that I can't help wondering whether your surname is Kohler?
John.
Is there a 21 pin plug ready and available from a diferent manufaturer out of curiosity ? Simon Judd
snipped-for-privacy@newsfe2-gui.ntli.net...
Unfortunately incomplete.
The standard being discussed by the NMRA is for a *22* pin socket.
The 21 pin socket may become a de-facto standard among some European manufacturers.
Once again, a group of manufacturers have broken ranks and put their own interests ahead of the wider interests of the hobby. That's partly how we ended up with Transponding v. Railcomm.
MBQ
"Simon Judd" wrote
I don't know, although there have been suggestions that Lilliput may have them.
John.
How about a nice conspiracy theory that they found out that ZTC (and possibly other DCC decoder manufacturers) were designing a very thin decoder that plugs directly into the 8 pin NMRA socket. ZTC announced such a decoder - the ZTC 4007 - at Warley and were demonstrating it in a Hornby M7 where space is tight. It was priced at £12.99 including p&p and will be available in January. I had a 'play' with the M7 in which the decoder was fitted and was impressed enough to order 3. If manufacturers go over to a
21 / 22 pin socket then with an adaptor to 8 pin their is unlikely to be enough space to fit this decoder.The leaflet says: " ZTC 4007 Plug & Play Decoder.
This new NMRA compliant Decoder is suitable for all 00/HO DCC ready locomotives and provides the easiest installation possible with the eight-pin NMRA mounting found on all DCC ready locomotives. There are no wires to solder! The ZTC 4007 is a top of the range, fully featured decoder available at a ground breaking price.
In addition it also carries a no quibble warranty and a free 12 month software upgrade facility. The decoder is also fully protected against accidental damage.
This multi-featured 2 Amp continuous operation miniature decoder has all the usual facilities found on many larger and more expensive decoders in the ZTC range. It includes as standard, three lighting functions, four digit numbering, variable frequency PWM, Back EMF and now even Dither control.
New ZTC features, include a LED diagnostic indicator, an Auto Breaking facility, Full- NMRA consisting, realistic Firebox flicker, 10 Amp Overload protection and full function mapping. The decoder is also Suzi ready and Bi-directional compatible.
Finally it also features the new revolutionary ZTC TaIkBack V.01 which provides communication between the Locomotive and the layout operator or computer. " If anyone is interested I have details of the other new Diamond Decoder Range that they were demonstrating which included a combined point motor and decoder ZTC 302.
Alan
Oh FFS! Not another bidi-comms standard! I just hope they mean Digitrax transponding or Lenz railcomm by another name.
MBQ
Does that count as a "different" manufacturer?
Mark Thornton
I am honoured that you say so. I realise theres a number of 'its not fair cos' variations around but like any company hopefully they will just look at what affect it will have on their market. i dont know the correct figures - you may have a better idea - and this is way too simple but will guess :-
75% Non Runners/Collectors - just another bit of redundant electronics to them so as long as price rise not too much they wont care. 15% DC only. As long as runs fine on DC (or easy to switch off) then a minority may be upset by extra cost at first but if you want a Princess then thats it. 13% Select/Elite/Steam minimum function/train set - Great idea, if cheaper than buy seperate, no hassle to install, so they may well increase sales by significant amount. Anyone - choice of A1 with decoder from Hornby vs without from 'other' ! TrainSet - choice of LNER xx 4-6-0 with decoder from Hornby or LMS yy 4-6-0 without from other. 2% want better decoder, can either lump it, use cheap one in something else, sell off cheap one. Some will moan bitterly, but again if they want a Princess, theyre going to lump it. Minor impact, major outcry !So my guess is theyll be more sales for that 23% than lost in the others. Lots more decoders made/sold so even lower prices. Cant be bad.
Me live in the South, only if your maiden name is Hubbard.
Cheers, Simon
In message , simon writes
You're right, they're not the correct figures. 75 + 15 + 13 + 2 = 105.
Sorry, should have said thats because some people may be counted twice as they are in more than one category (sounds much better than admit made mistake).
Simon
Won't that leave even less room for a decoder?
(kim)
"Mark Thornton" wrote
Define manufacturer? For instance, Hornby manufacturer nothing these days, just sub-contract everything to a third party in China. I assume most Lilliput stuff is produced in Bachmann's own factory.
John.
"kim" wrote
Yup! Seems a strange approach to me.
John.
ah but decoders are getting smaller so theres room for an adapter. 21 pins either the size of a SCART connector or tiny with 20 straight and one bent pin.
However moving on cos this is part of a proposed standard and not Bachmnann - and yes am idle should look at it myself - Where are we to put a 21 wire cable to connect ? Will it be a decoder the size of a pin head with 21 wires in it ? Love soldering that ? Why 21 pins - lots of functions, bet we dont use more than a few, so why not just a few wires and software select.
Cheers, Simon
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