I have a Bachman 2-8-4 engine I would like to have converted to DCS. Is this possible, and who does it?
Dennis
Original Post
"HONGZ" stands for HO scale, N scale, G scale, and Z scale.
Post your non-O scale stuff here!
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Hi Dennis:
The first question would be if HO PS3 boards are even available. I did not see them with a quick web search, but I could be wrong.
The easier thing to do would be to install a TCS WOW sound decoder which is DCC. You can run all of your HO MTH PS3 on DCC, and in my opinion, not miss a beat.
If decoders are available for MTH PS3, I'm sure any DCC installer could do it. The only thing he would need would be to borrow your DCS controller to complete the installation, setup, and test. There are not that many HO or O scale two rail guys doing DCS that also do installs. The decoder wiring isn't than much different, but with DCS, I believe they may need to read a tach tape for the speed, unless they are a BEMF decoder. I don't know that much about their PS3 in HO.
Hopefully, EngineerJoe sees this thread, and could lend his knowledge on this, as he is doing DCS in two rail O. He may know somebody that can do the install.
A good resource would be Tony's DCC. They sell MTH locomotives, so are not ignorant of DCS.
https://tonystrains.com/store/...GEAAYASAAEgKcbfD_BwE
Regards,
Jerry
You have to be a tech or go thru a dealer to get your hands on the boards. There's no kits available that I know of for HO scale. So you'd also have to order the harness I would think? Unless you had a donor engine to scavenge the stuff out of.
My go to guys were GGG here on the forum and Ray's Electric train works among others.
I can't get the boards direct myself as I'm not a tech. If I could, I would try to install into my Lionel trackmobile! I do my own personal installs in G scale and O scale 2 rail.
You could try some tech/repair person to attempt this. I think one that has experience with the MTH HO line repairs would/might consider trying. They should have the chart for the pin outs where I'd just be guessing!
Sorry to take so long I thought this was posted in the DCC forum and I didn't see it there. I did get your email earlier.
Tony's was the dealer who got me started attempting decoder installs. Their tip page and helpful techs are great!
You would need to install all new lighting for the locomotive since the polarities are switched for LEDs on MTH ho DCS/DCC. IMHO, MTH PS3 on ho is not great compared to ESU, TCS or Tsunami 2. I have had a few problems with ho PS3. I would look into ESU loksound V4 or the new V5. The Bachman’s DCC I’m board have cheap decoders plugged into an 8 pin plug in the tender. DCC sound value have a hard wired decoder. Depending on which the loco is, the difficulty to install will vary. The DCC on board can have the decoder just pulled out and a sound decoder plugged into the slot. If it has sound, it will need to be gutted and completely rewired. You should check out all of your options before you jump on PS3. As stated before, I do not believe MTH has HO PS3 boards available for install. The use a custom plug and harness wired into the locomotive. (Atleast on my GP38.) I recommend tsunami 2 decoders if the loco is sound value. For $110, it really is a great decoder. If it is DCC on board with a decoder just plugged in, I would go with ESU because they are essentially plug and play. If you want to see sound examples, YouTube has plenty.
Hopefully I could help!
OK. I'm convinced I should just run this engine in DCC. So I need advice as to what equipment I should get to run it. A DCC transformer I assume.
Dennis
Dennis posted:OK. I'm convinced I should just run this engine in DCC. So I need advice as to what equipment I should get to run it. A DCC transformer I assume.
Dennis
Part of the answer depends on what are you trying to accomplish. Are you building a home layout and need multi-train control? NCE has the PowerCab which can be had for about $150 online. If your needs are simple, you could just run with a standard DC transformer.
Brendan
DCS in HO is pointless. As others have said, I am not aware of separate sale decoders. You will be limiting yourself to MTH engines. If you could find someone to install DCS, it will most likely cost you about as much to buy an entry level DCC system. You can run the DCC system through the Commander but you cannot run both at the same time. Sell the Commander on eBay and buy a DCC system. Just out of curiosity, how did you wind up with a Commander system and a DCC loco?
Brendan
Brendan: As I said above, I have already given up the idea of DCS in HO and plan to get a DCC system.
When I was in O gauge, I had a large layout that ran on DCS and TMCC. I eventually ended up with all DCS locos because I preferred it. In "O" I had a Nickle Plate Berkshire, and wanted to get the one that MTH made in HO but I could not find one anywhere. So I settled for the Bachman and asked the question starting this thread.
My other engines are MTH and I run them in DCS with the Commander which is what I started the layout with and still run regularly.
Dennis
I see a lot of these at ho displays. there are several other options. the so called sound decoder which also does motor control, a lot of options. popular ones such as esu and tsunami have been suggested above. many new engines if they don't come with it installed will provide a socket for the ready installation of them. frankly there's so many options it's hard to summarize. there are a lot of web sites. retail: I'll put in a plug for modeltrainsstuff for a lot of ho. they are actually m.b. Klein in Baltimore. if you are near there take a visit and their staff have always been very helpful. I'm not associated with any of these folks ...
MTH Ho PS3 run fine with DCC. I have an NCE powercab and it’s perfect. DCC cannot run on DCS, however. Just get a DCC throttle and you can run anything with a decoder, including Lionel’s HO Berks.
According to my instruction book, there is a "pass-thru" in the DCS Commander so that you can hook up DCC beyond it and run DCC locos with out any interference in the Commander. Hooked up that way one has a choice to run either. Thanks for the helpful discussion, guys.
Dennis
Hi Dennis:
I'm a NCE user, so I'm biased towards their systems. I'd like to go out on a limb and recommend a NCE Powercab. It should handle all you can throw at in on your railroad.
I also purchase most of my DCC needs from Tony's Trains. They have an NCE PowerCab for a good price:
https://tonystrains.com/produc...b-dcc-starter-system
When I "Add to Cart", I got a price of $159.99. You may find it a little cheaper elsewhere, but Tony's provides GREAT support for what they sell. I've been dealing with these folks since 1995, and they are awesome.
Also, there is great support for systems on-line. Mark Gurries is an Electrical Engineer for his day job, and he has created an outstanding amount of reference material on his site:
https://sites.google.com/site/...urries/home/nce-info
There is a section specifically for Powercab:
https://sites.google.com/site/...urries/home/nce-info
If you ever decide to upgrade to a system with more power, that is possible, and your master cab can be used with that system.
I also like the fact that NCE is manufactured in the US utilizing US and foreign sourced components. Jim Scorce, the owner of NCE, is also a two rail O scaler. He occasionally contributes on the two rail board.
You may also want to looking into systems by Digitrax and MRC. I've used both (but only the higher end Digitrax, not the Zephyr), and they work well. Here is a link to the MRC on Tony's:
https://tonystrains.com/produc...20-prodigy-express-2
Digitrax:
https://tonystrains.com/produc...ss-starter-set-dcs52
Not too enamored with the lack of a handheld controller, but that is me.
Regards,
Jerry
Thanks Jerry for all the info. I will use it.
Dennis
Dennis posted:According to my instruction book, there is a "pass-thru" in the DCS Commander so that you can hook up DCC beyond it and run DCC locos with out any interference in the Commander. Hooked up that way one has a choice to run either. Thanks for the helpful discussion, guys.
Dennis
I had one. It will pass DCC thru, but from what I remember, you might not be able to use them together.
Brendan
That is correct. You can use one or the other only.
Dennis
