ColinB Posted September 15, 2022 Share Posted September 15, 2022 Just because it is a Hornby model it doesn't mean that you have to use a Hornby decoder, there are very many alternative decoders in the market place. The only big issue is if you want to use the TTS decoder as a cheap sound unit, in which case assuming that there is enough room, just buy a 21 pin to 8 pin converter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphy5 Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 The Sapphire decoder I have used in a few of my locos and turntable.Have had no problems in 3 years so far.seems dumb to have just 1 run of themexpensive but I think was worth the money, they are a great decoder allowing changing CVs easily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 I run all my 21 pin locos on 21 pin Zimo decoders, perhaps Sapphire decoders did more, but it my case I would never have used the features. So as the Sapphire is substantially more expensive than the Zimo, I imagine that is why Hornby no longer sells them. The only down side is at the moment nobody has any stocks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 @colinIt was £34 in the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 A Zimo was £20, it is now £24 so even now it is £10 cheaper. I don't know if I am unusual but I just want it to run the train and switch on the lights. I like the Zimo range because they have a maximum current range of 0.8 amps which is good enough to even run ringfield motors, those motors that go in the Hornby 0-6-0s and split chassis Bachmann locos. Virtually every other decoder I have tried has issues with those motors and I have tried lots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deem Posted October 15, 2022 Share Posted October 15, 2022 Hello I am new to this thread and if someone can guide me the part number of Sapphire Decoder so I can keep an eye for them, are they just function decoders?Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 16, 2022 Share Posted October 16, 2022 R8245. They are a rock solid reliable 21-pin decoder with a removable harness to allow them to be plugged into an 8-pin socket, so dual fit capable.They were fully featured allowing various special effects and dimming of lights, a fuel burn feature by way of railcom that stopped the loco when it ran out of coal, water or diesel, which could be topped up on the main using the Elite On/Off button (its only known use).Then there was a programmable series of four events that allowed you to start, wait, stop, repeat a set of events such as an end to end shuttle, without resorting to PC programs like Railmaster. The decoder was 1 amp capable with four functions (directional lights plus to more).Download the manual and have a read https://support.hornby.com/hc/en-gb/articles/360016160819-R8245-Sapphire-Loco-Decoder-ManualThe new yet to be released 21-pin decoder will be of a similar decent spec and cheaper, but without the fuel burn and events programming Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deem Posted October 16, 2022 Share Posted October 16, 2022 Bought the last one sale for £25.00 from EKM Exhibitions, look forward using them in one of my loco.I have seen few on eBay used one, maybe worth buying them.Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 17, 2022 Share Posted October 17, 2022 I had a look yesterday and there seems to be quite a few still available from various suppliers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deem Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 That's correct Brew Man, there are quite few of them have in stock R8245 Sapphire Decoder but they are on Full RP or more.I am still waiting for mine to arrive in post and will update here or share with my fellow modeller.Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 I have just put a LaisDCC 21 pin one in my Elizabeth 2 and it works perfectly. The 21 pin LaisDCC always did seem to work better than the 8 pin for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 @colin... probably because they knocked off a decent 21 pin decoder but a duff 8 pin one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brew Man Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 @colin... probably because they knocked off a decent 21 pin decoder but a duff 8 pin one. joy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deem Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 Any one can suggest of compatible TTS decoder they or one have use in this particular Loco.Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deem Posted October 27, 2022 Share Posted October 27, 2022 I don't know if this relevant or not,I have been using LaisDcc 8 pin decoders for some time and only other I have used is Hornby, in my experience LaisDcc Decoders seem to works better then Hornby but can not comment on other makes or superior more expensive Decoder. Regards Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 On the other hand it could be that the locos I fit the 21 pin ones to run better, who knows? I do know they have a tendency for "DCC runaway" but then do some of the others. Just lately I have been using "Train O Matic" ones who sponsor Jenny Kirk and they seem alright. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
96RAF Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Some of the ToM decoders got bad press for having strange default function mapping and poor instructions that didn’t tell how to get round it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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