Decodor in Thomas quesiton

[jettrainfan]

Like I've said in the past, i wanted to have a Day Out With Thomas event on my layout, but it hasn't been feasible or i just don't know the right guy. When i brought it up to a friend of mine, he said he knew a guy in ohio (good thing, that saves me $$$ on shipping) that could do it for free. When i asked someone else what kind of decoder to use, he said any 1 amp would do the job. After doing some looking around, i thought the bachmann decoder would probably do the best sense i didn't want sound. http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product-p/bac-44913.htm

Would this work? if not, can someone tell me what would?

[jward]

you are on the right track here. i have a friend who has used digitrax dh123s in the thomas line locomotives. these are similar in size to the bachmann one you are looking at.

that said, i'd carefully look at what cvs are supported. i personally would want cvs 2,5 and 6 at the minimum. those are start voltage, mid voltage and max voltage so you can set some sort of speed curve. cvs 3 and 4 would also be nice, these set acceleration and deceleration. i personally will not install a decoder that doesn't support those 5 cvs.

there is just enough room in the cab for a decoder of this size. on my son's thomas, the wiring is already colour coded. percy is not.....

on a related question, has anybody tried a bemf decoder with these locomotives? would it be worth the (minimal) extra cost to equip them with bemf?

[jward]

take a good hard look at this decoder.....

http://www.modeltrainstuff.com/product-p/dig-dh163d.htm

[jettrainfan]

Its color coated, but seems like a lot more wires then most decoders...could be just the picture.

[jward]

there are only the standard 8 wires. maybe it looks like more because they are loose tather than connected to a plug on the other end.

[Anthony P2]

you'll only need four of them, if you don't plan on putting in lights. positive and negative for the motor, and positive and negative wheel pick-up. it's really simple to set up. i put DCC in my Thomas and Percy a month ago and they run fine.

[jettrainfan]

what was the DCC chip/ decoder did you use if possible? im trying to figure out a few choices if Wingz Hobby shop can't order one of them (they probably could order anything but just in case...   ) i really don't want to pay $8 for shipping just for a decoder.