8 pin & 9 pin decoders

[wjb1]

what is the functional diference between 8 & 9 pin decoders ?
are all bachman equipment 8 pin?

[Jim Banner]

what is the functional diference between 8 & 9 pin decoders ?

None.

are all bachman equipment 8 pin?

No.

[wjb1]

thanks Jim. I am just starting back into the hobby after 45 years. Am very confused about DCC. Trying to figure out which brand to go with and are they compatiable. Also trying to watch cost. Have 1 loco from 45 years ago.

[Jake]

Yeah, there is no difference. I have a Digitrax 10 pin decoder in front of me right now, There ar the 8 regular wires going to the decoder pins and two other wires hanging off, no idea what they are for though. So and 8 Oin decoder will have no extra wires hangin off and 9-10 wire decoders will have 1 or two extra wires hanging off.

[Jim Banner]

Jake, those extra connections are probably extra functions. The DH163, for example, has 9 wires coming out of the 9-pin socket at one end and you can add up to three more wires out of the other end (the blue + connection is available at both ends.)  Have a look at the linked PDF below:

http://www.digitrax.com/ftp/dh163d.pdf

[Nigel]

.....Am very confused about DCC. ......

See: http://www.dcctrains.com/tonystips/dccprimer/index.htm