Single Motor 44 tonner DCC Decoder

[gregw66]

Bachmann has just repaired my two motor 44 tonner by replacing the chassis with a single motor chassis. I know the new 44 tonner is DCC equipped but the repair guy stated the replacement would not come with DCC. What decoder is best for this unit?

[richg]

Sounds like you will get a DCC ready. Since the Bach-Man said Bachmann sells decoders. Look below.

Bachmann has a decoder for the 44 ton that comes with a PC board for $65.00. You can get a universal decoder from Bachmann for $35.00. Cut the plug off and solder the wires to the PC board in your 44 tonner.
I am sure others will comment.

Rich

[Bucksco]

Don't forget about Bachmann decoders (non-sound) and SoundTraxx (sound decoders)....

[jward]

due to the small size of the 44tonner, I would look into an n or z scale decoder. they are much smaller, and should fit better.

that said, I have not found that much of a difference in  quality between decoders of different manufacturers. imho, you are probably better off adding your own decoder to the locomotive, as sometimes factory installed decoders don't support all the basic settings cv2 through cv6 which control start, mid and top voltage, and acceleration and deceleration rates. any decoder I buy must support those 5 cvs at a minimum.

[ALCO0001]

Rich,
Seems if your going to put that kind of effort to make it dcc, you might want to just go for a micro Tumani for it to have some sound and some great motor control.A friend of mine did this with 70 tonner since it uses the same motor .
Jack

[richg]

Rich,
Seems if your going to put that kind of effort to make it dcc, you might want to just go for a micro Tumani for it to have some sound and some great motor control.A friend of mine did this with 70 tonner since it uses the same motor .
Jack

I put the LokSound Micro into my two 44 tonners a few years ago. Same with the 70 tonner.

Rich

[ALCO0001]

Rich ,
How is that ?
Jack

[macbmac1]

Hello:

I also installed a LokSound Select micro into the 44 tonner, after researching quite a bit on the web.  Runs and sounds great---just do a web search -- multiple sites come up.

Mike
Pahrump, NV   

[electrical whiz kid]

I own several 44-ton engines.  Most are from Bachmann, and run beautifully, but they were not DCC equipped, so I have to install decoders.  I also have one from Keystone, which I had built long before Bachmann catalogued theirs.  While it is an excellent running locomotive, I had attempted to install a decoder.  Not wanting to go overboard, it was a standard basic NCE job I had kicking around.  Forget about it!!!  I almost ruined a locomotive in my "in-vain" attempt.  Now it stays allocated to the car-float operation.
Rich C.