508EMU Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Hi everybody! Firstly, Merry Christmas! I got given the DCC Hornby elite pack today for christmas, Santa knows just what I want I have a DCC ready Hornby class 153, but I now need a DCC decoder for it. Which one should I buy as I have no idea! Thanks Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Mr.S.corn78 Posted December 25, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted December 25, 2009 Hi everybody! Firstly, Merry Christmas! I got given the DCC Hornby elite pack today for christmas, Santa knows just what I want I have a DCC ready Hornby class 153, but I now need a DCC decoder for it. Which one should I buy as I have no idea! Thanks Hi, merry xmas to you. This is one of those questions that has an answer that dosnt really help as i would say it depends on how much you would like to spend. A Hornby chip will work well and you can get them for ??8. Or you could use a Bachmann chip which from memory are about ??10 It all depends what you can get from your local shop and how much money you would like to spend hope that helps cheers Simon 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
508EMU Posted December 25, 2009 Author Share Posted December 25, 2009 Thanks! I'll go for the Hornby one, I'm a bit low on money at the moment! Luke Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SRman Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Just a small caution here: both of the suggested decoders will work well in the 153 but if you wish to run two or more in multiple, you may need to consider a more expensive chip that supports advanced consisting. I presently have two with Hornby decoders factory-fitted and am happy with their running qualities bit I have consisted them using the old-style "brute force" consisting available on the NCE Power Pro / Power Cab systems. For the future, with a third one in Wessex Trains black livery on the way to join my two in Wessex Trains pink and blue liveries (Electra Graphics overlays), I will be giving strong consideration to TCS DP2X-UK decoders which will give the control and features I want, together with advanced consisting, and no trailing wires. There are many other possible decoders to suit as well from several other manufacturers. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oakydoke Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 I'll second what SRman says. The Hornby decoder doesn't allow much adjustment, has a very low power rating and is limited for consisting (no advanced consisting). Simon mentioned the Bachmann decoder, by which I think he means the 3 function model. These have more adjustable CV's and a higher power rating for both the motor and function outputs. They do lack one function compared to the Hornby, but are more robust all round. Same limitation on consisting though. Expect to pay ??9.00 for these. If tempted by the Hornby, make sure it's the latest R8249 and don't be palmed off with the older R8215 which was a pile of rubbish and has been withdrawn by Hornby. Some model shops may still carry stock of the old one. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr diesel Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Merry Christmas. Another decoder not mentioned, and worth considering, is bachmanns 36-552 2 function with 8 pin plug. This decoder is bachmanns original release, and in my view the better, due to it having CV19 for advanced consisting and a one amp output. Jeff 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9-70 Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Why not go for the Lenz Silver Plus decoder. Not the cheapest I know, but well worth it. K9-70 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
508EMU Posted December 25, 2009 Author Share Posted December 25, 2009 Ok thanks for the Help! I decided to go for the Hornby one in the end, but I have taken note of the decoders mentioned here and I am likely to use them in the future on my other models. Thanks again! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer_Saturday Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 but I have taken note of the decoders mentioned here and I am likely to use them in the future on my other models. It is always a good idea to try several different decoders when you are starting in DCC. While this sounds expensive, you only need to trial 3 or 4 to see what works for you and you won't waste money as they'll all work in something. I have 120 locos etc with decoders now and I didn't waste my money on any of them! (I've also only had 2 break and they were replaced under the guarantee). Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trains4U Posted December 25, 2009 Share Posted December 25, 2009 Just a note about the Bachmann decoder. It is very good, however it needs adjusting to work proper;y in the 153. the Back EMF settings need to be adjusted or the model will run erratically at low speed. IIRC CVs 53 an 54 need changing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbwoods Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 Just a note about the Bachmann decoder. It is very good, however it needs adjusting to work proper;y in the 153. the Back EMF settings need to be adjusted or the model will run erratically at low speed. IIRC CVs 53 an 54 need changing. i have the same problem with my dcc ready Northern class 153 as they didnt have the dcc fitted one in stock, and i fitted a Bachmann decoder to it and now it doesnt run smooth. do u have to change both cv 53 and 54? which value do i set it to? cheers and happy new year Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold Oldddudders Posted January 2, 2010 RMweb Gold Share Posted January 2, 2010 i have the same problem with my dcc ready Northern class 153 as they didnt have the dcc fitted one in stock, and i fitted a Bachmann decoder to it and now it doesnt run smooth. do u have to change both cv 53 and 54? which value do i set it to? cheers and happy new year If you use Ops Mode programming, or Programming on the Main, you can adjust these - and almost all other - CVs while the unit is running, enabling you to try a whole host of values and slowly closing in on the one that suits you and your model. Check the instructions for your DCC Command Station for how to do this. If you ever use sound decoders, Ops Mode is the only sensible way to adjust chuff rate, brake squeal etc, but it works just as well when you have no idea what value to try, and can play with values very rapidly. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenser Posted January 2, 2010 Share Posted January 2, 2010 I've put my usual TCS T1 in both of my 153s, and afer a bit of tweaking I'm very pleased with the running . Advanced consisting is fully supported , and with skateboards, consisting is very desirable . I hadn't realised the Bachmann/ESU decoder didn't support it but I am not likely to consist the 108 - Blacklade can't handle 4 car DMUs (or 2 x 2 car) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hoover50008 Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I have the DCC fitted 153 and that runs erratically at slow speed, even after running in. Is this another case of adjusting CV53 54? or is it Hornbys cheap chips. Cheers E Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravenser Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 Try playing about with the CVs and see if it helps . Experimental CV tweaking won't cost you any money.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loco Posted January 9, 2010 Share Posted January 9, 2010 I have 3 Hornby 153, one has a howes esu decoder, and runs and sounds a treat. The other two i fitted with Bachmann decoders, and to confirm what has been said, they ran terribly until i adjusted CV53/54. Never experienced a Hornby ready chipped diesel. If i cannot afford a top end chip, i have always used the Bachmann ones, and they are adequate for my needs. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loco Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 Just noticed the cheapest Hornby 153, is a DCC fitted one at Hattons for ??49. R2758x Having had no experience of their decoders, how does this model run, does it perform similar to one fitted with a Bachmann chip. Anyone running one care to comment. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnteal Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 My 153 is factory fitted with a decoder and runs perfectly at all speeds, only change I made was adding internal lighting. John Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
k9-70 Posted January 10, 2010 Share Posted January 10, 2010 i have the same problem with my dcc ready Northern class 153 as they didnt have the dcc fitted one in stock, and i fitted a Bachmann decoder to it and now it doesnt run smooth. do u have to change both cv 53 and 54? which value do i set it to? cheers and happy new year If you are using the 36-553 Bachmann 3 function decoder, enter the value of 10 in CV54 & 50 in CV55, Not sure what it does, but it made my Hornby Class 153 run a lot smoother. K9-70 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loco Posted January 11, 2010 Share Posted January 11, 2010 Today went to Hattons and came away with The wessex 153, a Bachmann decoder 36-553, and two Dapol coach lighting strips. Fitted decoders before, but not additional lighting. Any tips/advice. Basically im looking to connect the lights to the blue function common positive,and green F1. on the decoder Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
loco Posted January 12, 2010 Share Posted January 12, 2010 Today went to Hattons and came away with The wessex 153, a Bachmann decoder 36-553, and two Dapol coach lighting strips. Fitted decoders before, but not additional lighting. Any tips/advice. Basically im looking to connect the lights to the blue function common positive,and green F1. on the decoder Took the plunge, cut the blue and green decoder wires and connected them to the two Dapol light bar wires, and bingo i have instant coach lighting controlled on F1. Fine tuned the limited range of CVs,and my new wessex unit runs, and looks great. Now need some interesting passengers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted January 20, 2019 Share Posted January 20, 2019 Sorry to awaken this thread from it’s final resting place but... Don’t have many 8 pin decoders and this bachy one loooks mighty tight to fit in under the roof ....do t wanna force it....would it be better get a flat chip ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAF96 Posted January 21, 2019 Share Posted January 21, 2019 The 8-pin plug looks very chunky and not right in the socket. A direct plug decoder or one with a conventional plug would be a better fit. Rob Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
rob D2 Posted June 18, 2019 Share Posted June 18, 2019 Ok, so I brought a gaugemaster Omni with 8 pin plug to replace the above, and runs even more like a dog ! cant see which CVs to adjust with this chip doesn’t seem to have 55/54 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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