CaptOblivious Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 This thread is for listing all the models that Kato makes that are, as Kato calls them, "DCC Friendly"—they have slots hidden in the undercarriage that accept the EM13 motor decoder in the motor car and FL12 headlight decoders in the cab cars. Help me keep the list up-to-date! Typically, each of these trains will require 1xEM13 for the motor car and 2xFL12 for each cab car. Installation is dead easy. Sample installations here: http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/04/kato-em13-and-fl12-dcc-decoders-e4-shinkansen/ http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/04/kato-em13-and-fl12-dcc-decoders-e231-500-yamanote-line/ KIHA82-series (10-229) 489-series (10-239) 485-series (10-241) 101-series Chuo Line (10-253) 101-series Sobu Line (10-255) 209-500 Keihin-Tohoku Line (10-267) E2-1000 shinkansen Hayate (10-278) E531-series Joban Line (10-281) 683-2000 "Shirasagi" ("White Heron") (10-298) E217 Yokosuka Line & Sobu Line (10-495) 731-series (10-498) KIHA201-series (10-499) N700-series shinkansen "Nozomi" (10-547/10-548/10-549) E231-500 Yamanote Line (10-578/10-579/10-580) (wow, that's a lazy list! I'll get back to this later, I'm busy at work, but it is good to have this thread up for now to get people thinking about it) 1 Link to comment
lbriand_fr Posted March 20, 2009 Share Posted March 20, 2009 On this page, they mentionned some DCC friendly models, but I think this list is not complete. http://www.katomodels.com/hobby/dcc/kato_friendly.shtml The N700 (http://www.katomodels.com/product/nmi/n700kei.shtml) is DCC friendly, but not mentionned. Link to comment
alpineaustralia Posted March 21, 2009 Share Posted March 21, 2009 I would also add the following as they are accept Plug n' Play decoders: Item No. Model Decoder 3020-7, 3038 EF58 Digitrax DN163KOa DF200 Digitrax DN163KOa EF60 Digitrax DN163KOa EF64-0 Digitrax DN163KOa 3024 EF64-1000 Digitrax DN163KOa 3032-1, 3019-6, 3019-8, 3019-9, EF65 Digitrax DN163KOa 3036-1 EF200 Digitrax DN163KOa 3034, 3034-3 EF210 Digitrax DN163KOa ED75 Digitrax DN163KOa 3021-1, 3021-4, EF81 Digitrax DN163KOa 3037-1 EH500 Digitrax DN163KOa 10-289 101-series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-296, 10-297 209-500 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-261, 10-262 E231-500 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-520, 10-521 E231 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-551, 10-552, 10-553 E231 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-541, 10-542 E233 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-287 321-series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-536, 10-537 223 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-525, 10-526, 10-280 E531 series EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-498 731 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-547, 10-548, 10-549 N700 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-278, 10-279 E2 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-221 E3 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-292, 10-293 E4 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-295, 10-533 10100 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-534, 10-535 44 (cars) EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-499 201 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 10-550 82 EM13 (10-351), FL12(10-352), FR11(10-353) 1 Link to comment
quinntopia Posted March 25, 2009 Share Posted March 25, 2009 Thanks for sharing these lists! I don't see the Kato 10-237 (Relay Tsubame) listed anywhere (yet), if not, can anyone advise on how difficult it would be to add a decoder to this train? Man, that is a cool looking train! Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted March 25, 2009 Author Share Posted March 25, 2009 This page is also a good resource for determining how to equip Kato trains. http://www.katomodels.com/hobby/customshop/kakou/index_s.shtml According to that page the 10-237 does not take the drop-in decoders (I know this because they recommend the Digitrax DZ123) Link to comment
mrpig Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 quinntopia - The Kato 10-237 (Relay Tsubame) is in the mail right now, should be here in a few days. When I get it DCC'ed I'll post the install. Might be a while though as I am out of decoders at the moment. Link to comment
Bernard Posted March 29, 2009 Share Posted March 29, 2009 quinntopia & Mrpig - It's a little off topic but since you are both talking about the Tsubame, here is a post by Railmind on a Japanese kitbasher and what he did with his 787 Tsubame. His work is outstanding. http://ozborn.mo-blog.jp/ozborn/ Link to comment
SubwayHypes Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 I have a kato e531 thats apparently DCC friendly. Educate a noob please. What exactly is DCC? It has to do with the current, you keep trains stopped but all their lights still on. It requires modification both track and train, but what exactly?? Maybe i should start small, im thinking about installing interior LEDs on my commuter Link to comment
Martijn Meerts Posted April 7, 2009 Share Posted April 7, 2009 DCC is digital control of trains, so you can run lots of trains independent from each other on the same track. Instead of using a transformer to change the voltage on the tracks, a decoder in the motorcar handles how much voltage the motor gets. In DCC there's always about 16 volts on the tracks. Of course, that also means interior lighting etc. will stay on. What's required is a DCC command station (several companies make them, for example Digitrax and Lenz) and a decoder in each motorcar/locomotive you want to control. The decoders have programmable ID's, so each train can have it's own ID and you use that to control it's speed, lights etc. Link to comment
domino Posted September 4, 2009 Share Posted September 4, 2009 Hey all. I have decided to go DCC(again),so have about 30 trains i must change into DCC, so a small prayer from me to you, PLEASE keep updateing this thread about KAto DCC friendly trains, thanks. And now some quistions,i do have some KAto DCC friendly trains like the KIHA 10-229, if you look at this link http://www.katomodels.com/hobby/dcc/kato_friendly.shtml the KIHA looks exatually like the trains in the middle with the decoder 29-352 but i have checked my KIHA and it does not look like the decoder fits under the frame ,it looks more like the decoder 29-353 i should use, can anybody clearify it for me ? I also have the E4 MAX, im quit sure it is the 29-351 decoder thats fits,yes ?? And the Kato "EF81 3021-4 " ED75 3030 " EF210 3034 " all use Digitrax DN163KOa , yes ?? And DF200 7007-1 also use Digitrax DN163KOa ,yes ?? Also have the 683-2000 "Shirasagi" ("White Heron") (10-298), but i can`t find witch decoder thats fits and where to put, anybody ?? And for the rest off my trains i have to solder decoder , im not that great with soldering and eletronics, so we will have to see how many decoder and or moter i fried I have been looking at the Hornby decoder NMRA R8249 DCC DIGITAL DECODERS , it is cheap and gets the job done, does anybody know these decoders ?? Thanks all for your help. Regards brian domino Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted September 4, 2009 Author Share Posted September 4, 2009 The three Kato decoders do different things, and go in different places. 29-351 "EM13" decoder is for the motorized cars. It can only control a motor—it cannot control lights. You will need one for each motorized car (typically just one) in your train. 29-352 "FL12" decoder is for cab cars, and any other cars that have working headlights and/or marker lights. Typically, there will be only two, one at each end, but some trains have intermediate cab cars too (e.g. a full 10+5 E231 on the Joban line, or a full 8+8 E4 consist), which will not require decoders (since you will simply switch these lights off). This decoder cannot control a motor, just opposed headlight/markerlight pairs. 29-353 "FR11" decoder is for the interior lights. It's designed to work with Kato's interior lighting kits, and is only necessary if you want to control the interior lights (that is, turn them on an off). The LED-based interior lights can be used alone, without a decoder—they will just stay on all the time. So, typically (And this includes set 10-229 "KIHA 82 Super Express" and 10-298 "683-2000 Shiragasi" you mentioned), you will need 1xEM13 and 2xFL12—the EM13 will go in the car with the motor, and the FL12's will go in the cab cars. As for the locomotives, you will find helpful information in a different thread here: http://www.jnsforum.com/index.php/topic,1028.0.html Installation instructions for EM13 and FL12 here: http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/04/kato-em13-and-fl12-dcc-decoders-e231-500-yamanote-line/ http://akihabara.artificial-science.org/2009/04/kato-em13-and-fl12-dcc-decoders-e4-shinkansen/ Link to comment
lbriand_fr Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 I also have the E4 MAX, im quit sure it is the 29-351 decoder thats fits,yes ?? Actually, I'm waiting for 2 FL12 (29-352) and 1 EM13 (29-351) for my E4 Max. I think the Motor Car will be a little more difficult than the cabs car Be carefull with the Digitrax decoder, they are essentially designed for US Kato models, so you have to shorten or lengthen the lead's LED. How do we saiy "de la bidouille" in english? Don't forget to take pictures of your work. It's always interresting to see this. Link to comment
GuyCS Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Hey im new to the forum, did a little digging and found some more which accept the Kato plug & play DCC decoders. Some have been mentioned already, just thought i'd add them for clarity anyway. E127-100 (10-582) 683 (10-555) 223-2000 (10-536) 223-2500 (10-921) 321 (10-287) 313-8500 (10-589) E231 (10-594) E231-500 (10-578) E233 (10-801) E233-1000 (10-543) E217 (10-843) E531 (10-570) 313-5000 (10-586) 681-8000 (10-810) 489 (10-818) E259 (10-821) E2-1000 (10-278) E3 (10-221) E3-1000 (10-222) E4 (10-292) N700 (10-547) Also, the 883 'sonic' Renewed (10-288) is not DCC plug & play Thanks, Guy Link to comment
Martijn Meerts Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 ooh, Final Fantasy fan? =) Link to comment
GuyCS Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 ooh, Final Fantasy fan? =) Since FFIX 1 Link to comment
GuyCS Posted January 28, 2011 Share Posted January 28, 2011 Forgot to add if anyone knows if the Kato 885 White Sonic (10-286) uses Kato plug & play or if its the same as the 885 Kamome (10-410) where you have to manually solder in a decoder? Link to comment
The_Ghan Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Hey Cap'n, It would be nice if you consolidated everyone's imput into a single list at the top of this thread ... just a thought ... Cheers The_Ghan 1 Link to comment
The_Ghan Posted February 7, 2011 Share Posted February 7, 2011 Forgot to add if anyone knows if the Kato 885 White Sonic (10-286) uses Kato plug & play or if its the same as the 885 Kamome (10-410) where you have to manually solder in a decoder? Sorry Guy, like 10-410, 10-286 does not accept the Kato decoders. in the 2011 Kato catalog 10-410 is on p83 and 10-286 is on p84. Link to comment
GuyCS Posted February 23, 2011 Share Posted February 23, 2011 Forgot to add if anyone knows if the Kato 885 White Sonic (10-286) uses Kato plug & play or if its the same as the 885 Kamome (10-410) where you have to manually solder in a decoder? Sorry Guy, like 10-410, 10-286 does not accept the Kato decoders. in the 2011 Kato catalog 10-410 is on p83 and 10-286 is on p84. Thanks for that, think i'll give it a miss. Havn't got the guts to manually DCC a train yet. Link to comment
The_Ghan Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi Guy, Take a look at the Series 683 Thunderbird, 10-555 and 10-556. It uses the drop in Kato Decoders and is a beautiful unit. Cheers The_Ghan Link to comment
GuyCS Posted February 26, 2011 Share Posted February 26, 2011 Hi Guy, Take a look at the Series 683 Thunderbird, 10-555 and 10-556. It uses the drop in Kato Decoders and is a beautiful unit. Cheers The_Ghan Thanks but i've always disliked the way the Thunderbird looks. Just ordered a 16 car set of the N700 by Kato, so looking forward to that! Guy Link to comment
The_Ghan Posted February 27, 2011 Share Posted February 27, 2011 Great choice Guy, You won't be disappointed. My Kato N700 runs really well. It's one of the smoothest units I own. Personally, I'm not a bill-et train fan, but I am pleased with my purchase. Cheers The_Ghan Link to comment
goldingone Posted March 12, 2011 Share Posted March 12, 2011 Hi I have just purchased a N700 but cannot get the EM12 chip installed there is not enough clearance under the drive shaft so the cover will not close?? Link to comment
CaptOblivious Posted March 12, 2011 Author Share Posted March 12, 2011 Hello! Are you sure the EM13 is installed right-side up? (Just checking the bases.) Can you start a thread and post a photo? Link to comment
Guest Closed Account 1 Posted February 26, 2012 Share Posted February 26, 2012 Looking at the 2012 Kato Catalog, there are many new or re-releases of Kato locos and passenger cars that are DCC friendly. Too long to list. These 2 of mine accept Kato DCC decoders: E5 Hayabusa (Basic 3-Car Set) 10-857 E2 Tohoku Shinkansen Hayate 10-868 All of the current American Locomotives at Kato USA are DCC friendly:TCS drop in motor decoders and the Passenger Cars accept the Lighting Kits: New! Chicago Metra 106-8701, 176-6121, and add-on car sets, optional install for prototypical loco lighting TCS K4-LK is a solder-on kit to control the strobe and rear light. Link to comment
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