Hornby Accessory Decoders

[Brew Man]

If anyone is looking for one or more of these, Hattons have six pre-owned in stock, all in 'Like New' boxes for £30 each.

https://www.hattons.co.uk/905759/hornby_r8247_po42_dcc_accessory_decoder_for_points_and_motors_pre_owned_like_new_box/stockdetail

P.S. they also have a pre-owned Elite, also boxed like new for £155.

[96RAF]

Be aware those R8247s at that price are all Version 1.0 firmware, not the latest Version 2.0 which is listed at £54.

Any update would have to be by return to works Hornby but at present they are not offering the service.

The Elite is user updateable via a PC.

[Brew Man]

Yes, that's a fair point. Would be worth asking them.

[Brew Man]

@96RAF

Can you tell from the pictures that they are version 1s? I remember there was an issue with them, but can't remember what is was.

[96RAF]

There was a picture of the original box on each of the pre-owned ones. The v2.0 box (see the new £54 ones) has a big yellow Rev 2 sticker. To confirm the firmware state, you interrogate CV7 (V2.0 will return value 135).

The issue was that a bug in Select v1.1 firmware could induce an electronic flutter in the R8247 and damage it (and it still can), which is why if you have a Select with that old firmware it is advised not to use it with R8247 until the Select is updated by Hornby. The acc decoder itself was not the problem, until used in that context. The obvious symptom is it works OK until port 1 is selected then it fails until next power down. Repeated such operation can stress the unit to complete failure.

[Brew Man]

Right, so I guess as long as the Select has the latest firmware version it should be safe to use with version 1 decoders.

I'm also guessing that is the decoders are operated with an Elite there would be no issue at all.

[96RAF]

Correct on all points BM.

V1.0 PADs are fine for basic use but if you want the extended (and complicated) additional features then you need V2.0. I updated all mine as part of the test program, even though I only use them to fire solenoids and light signals in basic mode for now. The extended features may come into play if I want to use some fancy routing or cascade firing, flashing lights, etc later on.

[Brew Man]

I'm sure the decoders offer various advantages concerning functionality, but there were two main reasons why I didn't go for them.

1. It's a very expensive way of controlling points, signals etc. especially if you have a lot of them.
2. I like the analogue touch - y'know, pulling levers, pressing buttons and all that. I'll be buying a station master's hat next joy thinking_face

[96RAF]

Unfortunately if you want to use a computer or app to play trains, acc decoders of one sort or another is the only way to go.

[Brew Man]

I've had enough of computers after being married to them for 30 years. I use them now for every day tasks like this, so for me analogue accessory control is a blessing. I draw the line at DCC though, that is a must.