jaguar12 Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 I'm awaiting a brand new Hornby R3873 APT set arriving tomorrow.I read that the APT set needs three DCC decoders to operate fully (including lighting). There seems to be a suggestion that space is very tight when you undo the flaps on the bottom of the set. If I used three 8 pin Hornby R8249, is that going to be very tight, or would a different decoder from someone else be a better choice?Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 I watched Jenny Kirk fit the three in her APT, the big issue was with the function decoders, she used 6 pin ones for the function decoders in the two driver units as the make she advertises and uses, only makes them in 6 pin. She used a 6 pin to 8 pin adapter which doubled the amount of wire and caused issues. The Hornby normal decoders are pretty small anyway, so I assume you shouldn't have the same problem. I assume you bought the bargain one off TMC, as I did, so I will be doing the same thing soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaguar12 Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 Yes indeed you’re right! I took a punt (last minute) on the reduced priced APT set late yesterday. Think I hooked one of the last in stock. Not used TMC before, and thought I’d missed out as I never got a confirmation email or anything until early today. Tracking shows it’s due first thing tomorrow.Was also pleased to also get free delivery, so upgraded to Royal Mail tracked 24 for a few pounds.Thanks for the advice about the decoders. I’ve got a couple of Hornby R8249’s, so I’ll get another one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted May 19, 2023 Share Posted May 19, 2023 I just bought some LaisDCC ones off EBay they are plenty good enough as function decoders although they are full decoders. They were £11.99 each plus postage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaguar12 Posted May 19, 2023 Author Share Posted May 19, 2023 Oh ok. So two of these and a single Hornby R8249 would work?Not come across those LaisDCC decoders before. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Barry-350851 Posted May 21, 2023 Share Posted May 21, 2023 I've had good results with LAISDCC decoders. I have 3 in my APT set and they work and fitted fine. Any 8-pin decoder will be tight with the length of wires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted May 21, 2023 Share Posted May 21, 2023 Yes LaisDCC decoders for lights and Hornby R8249 will work fine. As Barry-350851 said the LaisDCC decoders will even be ok for motor control. The only issues I have had with them is that they are a bit sensitive to a bad DCC signal you get with dirty track, but then I am comparing them to a Zimo decoder. They are no worse than a lot of makes and a lot better than some. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaguar12 Posted May 21, 2023 Author Share Posted May 21, 2023 Many thanks for all the guidance and advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColinB Posted June 1, 2023 Share Posted June 1, 2023 If you haven't done this yet I found with mine that if you take the coach apart there is extra room between the socket and the seating on the driver cars. I am surprised nobody else has noticed this. The real annoying thing is with a little more thought when they designed it, they could have created a slot or something to allow easy access, rather than taking the whole driver car apart. The LaisDCC decoder would fit, if you shortened the leads. I just carefully took the driver car apart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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