Number of decoders required for APT

[ace2507]

With the APT coach packs now in stock and the train packs expected in the next couple of months I was wondering how many decoders will be required. I am planning on running the full 14 car set with two powered NDM's so they will both require decoders but will I also need decoders in the driving cars.

[Going Spare]

Yes, you will need 4 decoders - the Maintenance Sheet shows installation in both NDMs and both DTSs.

[ColinB]

Seeing as decoders are mainly used for lighting, it might be an idea to use a decent decoder for the motor control, and then those cheap LaisDCC ones for all the other ones.

[ace2507]

Thanks I was thinking it would need four whilst at the same time hoping it would only need the two to keep the cost down on what is already an expensive train. Colin I hadn't heard of LaisDCC before I will look into them.

[Brew Man]

LaisDCC might be cheap but I have had nothing but good experience of them so far. I think I have 3 locos with them in. Mind you, I only use them for motor control so can't comment on how they are with functions.

[Baychattan]

Any recommendations for sound decoders?

I am thinking of the 5-car pack, which has one NDM and two driving cars. I presume that one sound decoder for the NDM and "plain" decoders for the two driving cars are needed.

[96RAF]

First find someone who is doing APT sound decoders. No cheapo TTS version yet.

[ColinB]

Just to clarify I will agree the LaisDCC decoders work fine actually better that a lot more expensive ones I have used, it is just I normally use Zimo, I find they are a lot better with dirty track. I have a large layout so track cleaning will always be an issue. On all my DMUs or anywhere where I want just lighting I use the LaidDCC ones as they used to be about £10 each.

[Pedro1707822406]

Bit of a newbie question regarding programming of the decoders, as the 7 car set requires 4, have all 4 carriages that contain the chips needed to be placed on the programming track simultaneously at time of programming or could they all be done separately but set to the same number?

[Chrissaf]

Doing them separately one at a time is likely to give a more successful outcome. But note that many decoders need to see a motor load to accept programming successfully.

Therefore it is wise to start with each non motor car decoder and configure it in the motor car, then relocate it to their final destination car. The final decoder to be configured in the motor car is then the one that has been assigned for use in it.

[Brew Man]

LaisDCC do a 7 wire decoder with no motor function for £10. It sounds ideal for lighting etc.

@ColinB. I usually get my LaisDCC chips from CM3 models at £10 a throw but they have had no stock of any other than the one mentioned above for some time now. Wonder what's happening there.

[ColinB]

I get my LaisDCC decoders off CM3 models or Brian Wright via EBay. The supply does seem to fluctuate, I haven't seen the 8 pin direct fit one for ages. That one is exceptionally good for DMUs as no long length of wire to find room for. A bit too wide for a lot of steam locos unless it is in the tender. I haven't bought any for a while, so I haven't noticed that much.

[forest446]

Apparently the apt is a absolute pain to add decoders to.

mines only just arrived so not at the decoder stage yet

[Fishmanoz]

Why is it a pain forest?

[96RAF]

The APT service sheet (456) shows a removable panel on each under-tray giving access to an 8-pin decoder socket.

[Baychattan]

The underside 'space' for decoders, under the removable panel, is rather small. The Hornby 8-pin decoder fits, just, but other slightly larger pcbs don't. To fit a sound decoder in the NDM car is a major operation, to locate the decoder pcb at one end of the (upper) body and the loudspeaker at the other end - this needs dismantling of the model and soldering/un-soldering to get wires through narrow gaps and lengthen wires.