DCC controllers and decoders

[Class158]

So...

I have had enough of DC’s so am considering a DCC move. As a newbie to DCC (and modelling actually!!) I need to know whether you can use different brands of decoders and controllers. So can I use a Lenz decoder on a Hornby loco and using a Bachman controller? And if so is there any exceptions?

[WIMorrison]

Yes, as long as each item meets the DCC standards then they will all run ‘happily’ together - but be aware that whilst everything is compatible some equipment performs considerably better than other equipment. Be careful and buy wisely knowing what you want to do, not just now, but also in the future as many people have tried to save a few quid now and found that they have to spend more later.

[RAF96]

Despite the DCC standards you will always find someone who says this controller will not run that decoder in a certain make of  loco and someone else will say theirs works fine.

In the end 90% of DCC problems are generally down to beginner finger trouble.

[Ron Ron Ron]

Not terribly helpful to you, but being unable to resist the pedantry urge, technically and conceptually, DCC controllers and decoders are the same thing. i.e. the little thing that goes inside of a loco.

 

Having unnecessarily exercised that uncontrollable urge……

……..as the others have said above, All DCC systems “should” work with all DCC decoders, provided they conform to the DCC standards.

In reality, there are occasional mismatches between certain systems and certain (usually low cost) decoders.

There’s also the occasional rogue example of a usually reliable decoder.

 

What should be more important to you, is using good quality decoders from the “better DCC brands”.

 

 

.

[melmerby]

My two penn'orth

 

Stick to Lenz & Zimo decoders, for non sound decoders

Both are available starting at around £20 and anything sold cheaper than that won't perform so well.

 

Steer clear of the underperforming Hornby R8249, it's well overpriced for it's specification.

 

Generally European system manufacturers are in the forefront of DCC innovations, The US firms tend to lag a bit behind.

[Pete the Elaner]

When we mention "DCC", we really mean "a system which complies to NMRA's standards".

Before these were defined, there were systems which were strictly DCC (eg. Hornby's Zero 1) but before the term was widely used.

Anything you buy which is branded DCC will conform to NMRA standards. (The original Hornby Select is an example of something which had a couple of quirks preventing it from conforming properly, but I believe these have been fixed).

[KingEdwardII]

9 hours ago, Class158 said:

So can I use a Lenz decoder on a Hornby loco and using a Bachman controller?

In short, the answer is "yes".

 

You can find many a discussion on the forums here about decoders and about DCC controllers.

 

I think that it is probably fair to say that using a decoder from a specialist producer like Lenz and Zimo is more likely to give you good performance. Most of my locos are fitted with decoders from one of these companies. If you decide to go for sound decoders, things get a lot more expensive and more complex.

 

For steam locos, it is often necessary to choose the decoder very carefully if it is to fit into the available space. For diesel & electric locos, consideration needs to be given to things like lights and this puts an emphasis on the number of functions available on the decoder. This is part of the explanation as to why each producer typically has an extensive range of decoders - it is definitely worth checking out these ranges to see what is available.

 

As for choosing a DCC controller, that is a major topic in its own right and there are many discussions on the forums here about that topic. There are many factors at play in choosing a DCC controller and the choice is not a simple one. It depends on your budget and what you are trying to do and what sort of device(s) you want to control the layout. However, the choice of controller is not typically affected by the decoders you decide to use in your locos - except with regard to the ease with which you can operate large numbers of functions on the more sophisticated decoders (typically sound decoders).

 

Yours, Mike.

[Lemmy282]

As an example I have used Bachmann, Lenz, Zimo, Digitrax and TCS decoders over the years all run from Bachmann Dynamis, NCE Powercab and MERG command stations, all work perfectly well. I have to say I have now standardised on Zimo decoders, they are the closest to "plug n play" with a variety of motors, from coreless micro motors in 2mm finescale scratchbuilt loco's, old Lima "pancake" motors to modern Bachmann and Hornby ones.

 

Nigel L

[Class158]

On 28/10/2021 at 23:22, Ron Ron Ron said:

“Not terribly helpful” to you, but being unable to resist the pedantry urge, technically and conceptually, DCC controllers and decoders are the same thing. i.e. the little thing that goes inside of a loco.

 

Having unnecessarily exercised that uncontrollable urge……

……..as the others have said above, All DCC systems “should” work with all DCC decoders, provided they conform to the DCC standards.

In reality, there are occasional mismatches between certain systems and certain (usually low cost) decoders.

There’s also the occasional rogue example of a usually reliable decoder.

 

What should be more important to you, is using good quality decoders from the “better DCC brands”.

 

 

.

Your joking, it was actually very helpful. I will be more careful in my wording in future!