Spectrum "Doodlebug"

[McCullough]

I'm wondering which decoder one can install in a Doodlebug? I have noted that there is a plug-in pin installed on top of the board. Does this mean there is a plug-in decoder avail?

[pdlethbridge]

  Yes, there are decoders that will fit that 8 pin plug.  Here is an example from gadget toms
http://www.gadgettom.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=DH123PS&Category_Code=D-H

[rich1998]

contact litchfield. they do answer email. i buy all my dcc stuff from them. very happy customer. great support.
you can get sound decoders for this loco also.
scroll down their page and click on esu and loksound.

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/home.php

lex

[McCullough]

Thanks pdlethbridge and lexon!

[rich1998]

there are plug in decoders available. i just do not know which ones. in the past i saw small decoders with short leads and the 8 pin plug.
below is a photo of a document i found that shows the current for this loco.
since you will probably never lock the motor shaft, don't worry about the 0.6 amp motor draw. The 0.2 amp running current will allow you to use a z or n scale decoder that usually are for 0.5 amp.
the digitrax dz125 n scale deocder is quite small and good for 1 amp and can light two lights.
it has very good control i use it in a spectrum 44 ton two motor loco.
you have to solder the seven wires to the matching 8 pin plug though.
motor current photo below.



a link to the dz125 decoder

http://www.litchfieldstation.com/xcart/product.php?productid=999002904&cat=149&page=2

no doubt you can find inexpensive ones on ebay.

i do not know what your experience with wiring is like so hard to explain.

lex

[McCullough]

Hi lex, I got my hand on an NCE P2KSR decoder and managed to install with the 8 pin direct plug in. The doodlebug is running (for the first time). I've noticed that it is very noisy while running though, all seems to be in line; do you know if this is characteristic of the doodlebug?

[Chris350]

they are indeed a noisy unit. I'm looking to do a sound upgrade on mine.  Haven't yet figured out where to hide the speaker.

[rich1998]

i did some 'net searching and they do appear to be noisy. try running the gear box with pearl drops which can be used as a fine abasive. clean up with water and apply labelle 102 gear oil.

look at the below link. store it in favorites.

http://books.google.com/books?id=rnO8g-_AgOUC&pg=PA21&lpg=PA21&dq=pearl+drops+mild+abrasive+gears&source=bl&ots=YcqZNpbxlD&sig=cVDMv80-3sQdfDTxoO0q47-G8kw&hl=en&ei=IIQ5S4GpHY-OlAe42fyUBw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CAwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=pearl%20drops%20mild%20abrasive%20gears&f=false

lex