Was NOT as fun as my Kato C44-9W's were, but you can't have it all I guess. The shell removal was a very fragile process. I actually ended up breaking the bracket underneath between the 2 cylinders. Then, I trimmed the wires on the decoder and as I stripped the orange wire, the whole bit of insulation came off, I didn't get a good cut before pulling. Good thing I looked closely at the Bachmann parts breakdown and the digitrax breakdown. The headlight wires (blue and white) are reversed on the decoder. Blue to White White to Blue Putting it all back together was a bit of a challenge, but not too difficult. Mostly had a tough time getting the pipes routed correctly under the boiler. Any rate, I got it all completed in about 2 hours time (while at work - so probably about 45mins total time). Now just to get home and test 'er out. I was a bit apprehensive to put it all back together without testing it. But I'm a very confident kinda guy.
Sheldon: The piping under the boiler is very difficult to reposition. I'm glad you noticed the reverse wiring of the headlight in the picture tutorial. I would have waited to test it before putting the shell back in place. I hope you placed Kapton tape under the decoder to isolate it from the frame. Stay cool and run steam.....
Good thing I'm confident The decoder as far as installation is good. It works properly, however, running this steam engine on DCC leaves alot to be desired. Especially compared to the two Dash9's. Little later tonight I'll try cleaning the track a bit more. Tomorrow I'll go to the LHS and get some track cleaning solvent. Then I'll try it again. Perhaps a little of my disapointment is due to the entry level DZ123 decoder I installed in it. But it does not run very well at all.
The Digitrax DZ 123 isn't a good decoder for that loco. Look into a Lenz mini gold decoder. You have to fine tune the decoder for the steam loco to run properly. It isn't like a diesel that off to the races. You're basically into four days of a DCC learning experience. It will take some time to fine tune the decoder to the steam loco. Instant results don't always happen with steam loco's. Also clean your track with 91% iso-propyl alcohol. That is the best cleaning solution for track. You can buy it at Walmart. Stay cool and run steam....
Why do you guys say the DZ-123 isn't a good decoder? I run HO scale (all steam) and have about 15 of these decoders installed in my locos. After a bit of tuning with start voltage and momentum most locos will run just fine. For even better control, use decoder pro to set speed tables and then they will run excellent. Thanks, -Chris
I didn't say it isn't a good decoder. I was just under the impression it was an entry level decoder because that's what everyone else has been saying. I've got a new attitude about it now. I actually tuned the decoder last night on my steam engine Start voltage is at 10/255 Max is at 225/255 and Mid is at 185/255 Acceleration is set to 4/10 Dec. is at 3/10 (slightly faster braking than Accel) It seems to be running really good now. If I adjust the momentum (which is separate from accel/Decel) it fumbles the decoder a little so I just had to go back and forth with the Accel/Deccel part and got it worked out. I'm happy with this decoder - it does the job just fine.
The Lenz decoders are better decoders than the DZ 123, namely the lenz 521W and New Lenz mini gold decoders. They are much smaller than the DZ 123, have a more defined function list and fit better in N scale loco's. Lenz decoders also have a great warranty. If it fails lenz replaces it , no questions asked. that doesn't happen with any Digitrax DCC product. That is my opinion after working with The DZ 123, DZ 143 and the above mentioned Lenz decoders. And yes I use the Decoder Pro software. Stay cool and run steam..
Ah, I didn't catch the N scale part. So whats the cost difference between the lenz and the digitrax units?
The Lenz decoders cost more than the Digitrax decoders, but the loco's perform better with Lenz decoders. I'v always hardwire Lenz decoders in loco's that aren't drop-ins. Then I have to use Digitrax decoders by default. My loco's don't run as well with the Digitrax decoders. That's my personal preference as far as decoders go. I don't mind spending the extra money for better loco performance. And I do have a very large fleet of steam loco's and dieels as well they are hardwired with Lenz decoders. Stay cool and run steam.....
