DCC Decoders for Cab Cars/End Cars

[Kiha66]

As far as I'm aware it is just two pairs of non bipolar contacts.  The light boards it interacts with also has two pairs of contacts, so I'm fairly sure it's just a two function nonbipolar decoder.

[gavino200]

1 minute ago, Kiha66 said:

As far as I'm aware it is just two pairs of non bipolar contacts.  The light boards it interacts with also has two pairs of contacts, so I'm fairly sure it's just a two function nonbipolar decoder.

 

That's what I thought. When I converted my Kato 500 shinkansen I altered the lightboard and connected the FL12 as directed by a guide from an online guide. I was merely functioning as a copycat monkey. But If the stock light board has four contacts then it seems it wouldn't need to be altered at all. Just connected directly to the FL12 or other decoder.

 

Btw, I spoke with digitrax. Their solution for a cab light decoder is to use a "motor" decoder (they used the quotes) and apply a load to the motor output by putting a resistor between the grey and orange motor wires. Seems wasteful but otherwise an ok solution.

[chadbag]

In all fairness, I read that they were somewhere (a link I cannot find at the moment), where it said people were buying them and hardwiring them in to installations (soldering them in).  I don't know this for myself.

[Ochanomizu]

Hello,

 

I use FL12 solder in for headlights in some consists, but you can't have lights running when consist is stationary, unless you set a different address for FL12.    Edit: please ignore my incorrect comment.  Clarified in my next post.

 

Better to use a function decoder if you want lights on when train is stationary. 

 

Another option to FL12 scenario is to use a motor decoder and set the start, mid, and max voltage the same.

Edited January 25, 2019 by Ochanomizu
Correction

[chadbag]

3 hours ago, Ochanomizu said:

Hello,

 

I use FL12 solder in for headlights in some consists, but you can't have lights running when consist is stationary, unless you set a different address for FL12. 

 

Better to use a function decoder if you want lights on when train is stationary. 

 

Another option to FL12 scenario is to use a motor decoder and set the start, mid, and max voltage the same.

 

 

????  

 

The FL12 supports lights on when stationary.  DCC lights on is a separate function and not connected to the running of the motor.  Just hit F0 (default -- usually labeled lights) when the  train is stationary and they will go on (or off if already on).   My FL12 are set to the same address as the motor car and it works fine and they are independent.

 

Edited January 25, 2019 by chadbag

[Ochanomizu]

Hello,

 

Yes, sorry ... my mistake.  I don't know what I was smoking.  Yes chadbag, you are right.  Post edited.

 

I did FL12  in 10-237 Relay Tsubame.  Function is: lights on / off and auto reverse.

 

I did Digitrax DZ123 in 10-590 Around The Kyushu.  First I used the motor wires, setting the same voltage for low, mid and max.  This turned the lights off when the train was stationary ... like it would in DC.  When I first got into DCC I thought this would be the neatest way to go ... but it isn't ... unless you just want the lights to work like they do in a DC model.

 

Later, I swapped the DZ123 over to F1 and F2 because it gave more realistic operation of lights.  I like to enable rule 17 to dim the lights too, even if the prototype doesn't.  FL12 doesn't seem to be rule 17 enabled.

[Dani]

What about adding to the list LAISDCC 860012? You can set it up so the motor wires can be used for directional lights, and bi-polar depending on the direction of travel. Price is very cheap to be used for cab/tail cars lighting. If you plan to use it to drive a motor, I wouldn't do it (my opinion).

 

Manufacturer: LaisDCC

Price: 10$

Height: 3mm

Width: 9,2mm

Length: 14,5mm

Functions: 2

Directional lights? ◯

Bi-Polar? ◯

Dimmable lights? ◯

4-digit address? ◯

Transponding? ✕

Railcom? ✕

Max Current (cont. func.): 100mA

Max Current (peak func.): 1A       

Max Current (cont. total): 1A       

Max Current (peak total): 1A   

 

Cheers,

Dani

[Melandir]

It's also possible to use NGDCC DF11r6

 

http://www.snjpn.com/ngdcc/df11/df11r6j.htm

[Jugderdemidiin Gurragchaa]

Are you guys able to provide a bit of help with picking the right directional lighting decoder and the best way to solder it in?

The motor decoders seem pretty straight forward but I've been going around and around reading forum posts and websites trying to figure out the best way to do the cab end lights but everyone seems to do it differently and I am just getting very confused 😕

 

I'm looking to upgrade my three Japanese trains to DCC and am only looking for the cab end lighting to just be able to turn on and off and automatically switch when I change directions, so nothing fancy really.

From reading the first forum post it seems like the NGDCC DF11 is a good fit but I've read many different forum posts about needing to change the lights to LEDs, cutting circuit boards and installing resistors and that is where I am getting completely lost.

 

The models I am trying to convert are:

Kato 10-510 500 Shinkansen

kato 10-1394 885 Around the Kyushu

Tomix 92822 JR700 Hikari Railstar

 

Any pointers would be greatly appreciated!

[chadbag]

I used the NGDCC ones in my Hikari railstar.  You could also use them in any KATO that is not FL12 compatible.  With the NGDCC bi-polar function decoders you don't need to cut any traces or flip LEDs or anything.

 

[Brett]

Hello All ,Brett From Melbourne .

I created an Account to ask some questions,but rather than start a new thread i will jump on this one.

Main question is,I have made a N scale Layout using Unitrack and NCE DCC eQuipment.

I have bought 3 Japanese Kato Commuter Trains and a Em13 Decoder.(imported from Japan)

All is working well,but i would like to get the Decoder for the End Lights.I think its FL12 Kato,but i cannot seem to locate them in stock

I have seen them on ebay for high markups,but PLaza Japan have them listed at about 18$,but they never are in stock.

Is there something going on like End Production of these decoders?or is there an equivalent i may use(plug and play type)

thanks for your time

Brett.

[roadstar_na6]

Seems like it‘s indeed out of stock in most places. It‘s available here, it‘s a shop from Germany tho.

[chadbag]

7 hours ago, Brett said:

Hello All ,Brett From Melbourne .

I created an Account to ask some questions,but rather than start a new thread i will jump on this one.

Main question is,I have made a N scale Layout using Unitrack and NCE DCC eQuipment.

I have bought 3 Japanese Kato Commuter Trains and a Em13 Decoder.(imported from Japan)

All is working well,but i would like to get the Decoder for the End Lights.I think its FL12 Kato,but i cannot seem to locate them in stock

I have seen them on ebay for high markups,but PLaza Japan have them listed at about 18$,but they never are in stock.

Is there something going on like End Production of these decoders?or is there an equivalent i may use(plug and play type)

thanks for your time

Brett.

 

 

They (FL12) go in and out of stock.  A new production run gets done and everyone has them until they sell out and then you just get the expensive ones until the next production run.

[Brett]

Well i finally got them(fl12 Decoder).Plazajapan had 6 for a brief time so i bought them all.

Now if only Kato would release some of their City buildings.They are so hard to find and when i do the want $$$$ for them.

Its a game of patience this N scale japanese game'

Brett