Decoder recommendatioins for Proto N engines

MOPACJAY Aug 11, 2011

  1. MOPACJAY

    MOPACJAY TrainBoard Member

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    Getting ready to purchase and install a decoder into a Proto N GP 38-2.These have a split frame and circuit boards.Is there a decoder made specifically to fit this engine?I saw on alder thread how to hard wire a decoder,but really hoped for an insulate the motor snap the board in install.Any opinions or experiences are appreciated.
     
  2. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    According to Walthers, there was one in development from one of the decoder manufacturers as they produced this model, and then that manufacturer backed out leaving us with no drop-in option.

    There was one thread in particular that had a lot of discussion on this. Someone at Walthers suggested to me that I get a drop-in decoder for some Atlas locomotive and make some modifications. I haven't decided what route to take with my own.

    The short answer is that there is no decoder specific to this and it is not likely there ever will be one unless Walthers re-releases this model AND gets serious about getting a manufacturer on board to develop one.
     
  3. MOPACJAY

    MOPACJAY TrainBoard Member

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    Thanks for the good news LOL.The club I belong to switched to DCC and I am trying to figure out which engines I want to convert.
     
  4. skipgear

    skipgear TrainBoard Member

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    It's not a hard conversion with a DZ125. A little slice and solder here and there. There used to be a tutorial on it in the DCC section I think.
     
  5. SteamDonkey74

    SteamDonkey74 TrainBoard Supporter

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    Oh, certainly. When I do this one I will probably just modify the original light board and solder on a DZ125.

    The only thing that kind of rankles me is that these were sold as DCC friendly and the insert mentioned putting a drop-in decoder, which was never manufactured.
     

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