Must the Hornby non-motorised Mk3 DVT have a decoder fitted?

[Fishmanoz]

Might I give a simple summary of the 3 pages of hypotheses and conclusions to this simple original question and supplementary question (ignoring the burnt out item):

 

Must you fit a decoder to the non-motorized dummy car - No

 

What features do you miss out on by not fitting one - directional lighting that can be switched on and off on DCC

 

What do you get on DCC with the blanking plug fitted - lights on all the time.

 

What do you get on DCC without the blanking plug - no lights.

 

[96RAF]

Compare these dummy cars with Pullmann coaches with lights. These are on all the time on dcc without any decoder fitted.

[ColinB]

Pullmans have a different circuit. According to your last photo I saw, bridge rectifier, feeding capacitor with 5 volt regulator, so the lights remain at a constant level no matter the voltage (as long as it is above say 9 volt, about 2 volts across rectifier, 2 volts across regulator).Plus Pullmans don't have directional lighting for DC.

Fishmanoz summed it up exactly.

[Will Hay]

Thanks to all.