Smokey Joe Decoder Installation

Hi All.   I have read about installing Decoders , and discarding the capacitors , but, Hornby insist on keeping them when. Installing a Decoder. Surely once a Decoder is installed then the capacitors are superfluous . Have they got it wrong? Or are they just being cautious ?   Best wishes Kevin 

Hi Kevin,

Radio and uhf tv noise suppression primarily, although big ones will control voltage surges and spikes (as well as back emf). I always get rid of the ones on the outside, and let the decider worry about controlling the bemf and noise. Most newer decoders will quite happily work with them. The amount of electrical noise is apparently related to the motor design. Bachmann Europe have them, Bachmann US do not, both use the same motor. I doubt anybody putting their own motor in uses them, I don't. Expensive motors often have small ceramic ones inside to make them "noiseless".

Nigel

Hi Nigel. Thank you.  All these technical terms are beyond me.. so when you say “ most newer Decoders work happily work with them” , does that mean that you can leave them in or remove them??? After wishing to fit Decoders for myself for a long time, and with so many Hornby DC Locos awaiting attention , l keep having doubts about my capability. I just want to get on with running them on DCC .  Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Try with first, if the decoder behaves then carry on. If there are issues remove and try again. With this Hornby model you need all the space you can get, which is why they get binned. And why hard wiring is falled for. Older models often have 2-speed motors (off and full speed, think Scalectrix), newer ones are much better. If you have an old metal frame model swap the motor for a new one. Keep the metal frame though, adds needed weight.

Nigel

Hi Nigel.    Thank you.  The Hornby Terrier is a recent purchase , fingers crossed that should be okay .At least the Hornby  2  Bil and the 2 Hal are DCC Ready , also the Bachmann 2EPB, and 4 CEP , although I won’t have room for that. One of my  DEMU’s is fitted and I have a sound Decoder to fit in the second one. Best wishes. Kevin

Hi Kevin,

Try with first, if the decoder behaves then carry on. If there are issues remove and try again. With this Hornby model you need all the space you can get, which is why they get binned. And why hard wiring is called for. Older models often have 2-speed motors (off and full speed, think Scalectrix), newer ones are much better. If you have an old metal frame model swap the motor for a new one. Keep the metal frame though, adds needed weight.

Nigel

Hi Nigel.   Depending on the “Why’s and Wherefore’s”? Meaning having “More Money than Sense “. DCC Concepts have an â€œOTT idea “ called “Powerbase” which entails laying their own track bed and metal plates under the track, according to a YouTube video, rather involved? The track bed alone puts me right off never mind the probable high cost and as you say “ one may as well bin a cheap Loco.   Best wishes. Kevin

You could run a shortened 4 CEP (a 3 CEP or even a 2 CEP!), by omitting one or both centre coaches. As long as you keep the coaches in the correct orientation, this will work

Hi Jeff.  Thank you for your reply . A good idea, but it is only a branchline, if I ever made a serious go of it, with a timetable there would not be that many trains..  Best wishes. Kevin