Older MTH to DCC

Shouldn't be a problem, especially if you can get the locomotive at a good price. Internally, an MTH locomotive isn't really that much different from any other, but based on the 2/3 engines, they might pick up the current backward from normal 2-rail steam.

Should be a rather easy upgrade using a suitable large scale 3+ amp decoder like Soundtrax 's new Econami, QSI Solutions Titan Magnum, or LokSound V4.0b.  Another option would be a MTH PS-3 decoder which can run under AC, DC/DCS and DCC.  Unless you are a DCS user I would not recommend using PS-3 boards.  Based on first hand experience operating a new MTH PS-3 N&W J under DCC,  I find the newer aftermarket DCC decoders have better sound and more functionality than PS-3 offers.  They also can be and purchased at discount prices.

Ed Rappe

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the information.

Al

Judging by the interiors of an early MTH Protosound1 (QSI), it should be pretty easy, and worth it. In my case, the PA-1 is both accurate and smooth running, so adding DCC shouldn't require much tuning. 

I have not done any MTH steamers, because I don't have any.   But I have installed DCC decoders in 8 MTH early 2 rail diesels.    Most do not have sound, but at least a couple do.   

I found the early 2 rail diesels can often  be controlled with a small decoder such as used in HO.    Even with 2 motors, most draw less than an amp  under load and less than 2 amps stall.

PPRJIM- Please give a list and #s of the HO DCC decoders that you have used for MTH engines without sound.  Thanks, Art

prrjim posted:

I have not done any MTH steamers, because I don't have any.   But I have installed DCC decoders in 8 MTH early 2 rail diesels.    Most do not have sound, but at least a couple do.   

I found the early 2 rail diesels can often  be controlled with a small decoder such as used in HO.    Even with 2 motors, most draw less than an amp  under load and less than 2 amps stall.

I had wondered about that given the low current draw of the 3-rail locomotives.

Sorry it took so long to post the answer to which decoders.    My decoder notes were not in the area of the computer and I kept forgetting to get them.

With the MTH locos, I used Digitrax DH123D decoders (when I used an HO size one).    This decoder has a 1.5 amp run and 2 amp stall rating.

I used these as follows:

MTH AS616 (2 locos) DH123D,   .5-.7 amps running,   these have motors wired in parallel

MTH GP30 (2 locos) DH123D  .5-.7 amps running, 1.5 amps stall.    One of these also has an MRC 1909 sound decoder which sounds great.    It just picks up off the track and feeds a speaker.    It has to be consisted with the others.    I like these sound only decoders.

MTH SW 1200 (1 loco) DH123D .43 amps running, .85 stall

MTH Alco PA  (2 locos)   NCE D408SR   1-2.1 amps running, 2.5 amps stall.   These are older I think, anyway, they draw too much for the HO decoders

Weaver RS11 (2 locos)  Lenz Standard MP .7 amps running  1.5 amps stall.    These are not MTH but similar style ddrive.    I also had a pair of Weaver U25s that had this decoder in.    The Digitrax would work too.

The Digitrax DH1123D has motor control and 2 other functions that are default to front and rear lights.   it has nothing else.    These are very cheap and have the highest stall rating of the small decoders.    The street price is usually around 20.   I lucked into a stack for 10 apiece.    I tried them and they worked.    They do have all the standard DCC motor control. 28/128 speed steps.   The "123D" comes with 6 a socket with 6 inch leads that the decoder plugs into.   Really easy to change out if one dies.   they only ones of mine that have died have been when I did something stupid during install and burned them out.    I have a few other locos with this decoder including a couple of small brass steamers.

The reality of applying decoders is that they are not really HO or O or N.     If you can measure the current draw (amperage) of the loco, you can pick a decoder that will safely handle that current regardless of scale.   

A note, the Lenz decoders have built in protection against overload.   If they overload (which usually includes heat), they shut down and wait until the cool down.     Then they reset and run fine.    I had one in a Weaver single motor loco when I first started.   The loco would run light fine but under load would just stop running after about 5 minutes.     When the decoder reset after about 5-10 minutes, it would run again.    They have a little lighter rating than the digitrax, and seem to be more sensitiver to dirty track.