Hi all

I have purchased a Bachmann J11 which came DCC Ready.  As a staunch analogist, I have removed the chip and now have it surplus to requirements.

I was going to sell it on eBay but thought that a better idea was to run a little competition.

If you are new and/or young modeller then simply post a photo of your layout with a BRIEF description of what you are doing.  Include a picture/note of the loco that the chip might fit into if you can.  In a couple of weeks, I will review the offerings and decide on a winner. 

I know nothing about chips but it has 22 pins, is labelled "SoundTraxx" and bears the legend "REV A".  It came out of a Bachmann loco so if someone more knowledgable than me can add some more info, please do.I have added a couple of photos below

  

Good luck!!!

Thanks Barry,that's a lovely gesture.

Thanks Spurno - I did run the idea past Sol who saw no issues but perhaps we can pm about how to send the chip to someone without them having to post an address etc.

Barry

Hi Barry,

By the look of things it has 21 holes but only 6 working connections. Essentially the equivalent of a 6-pin decoder. The winner will have to find an adapter board if they don't have a 21 pin board in the locomotive (ESU do one) and hard-wire it. 6 pins would mean not enough functions (2 only) for a modern diesel locomotive with lots of lights. Looks to be the same as a Soundtraxx MC1Z102 decoder. 1amp, with BEMF hyperdrive.

Great idea though, nice initiative.

Nigel

Bachmann 36-557, made by Soundtraxx for Bachmann but is, I believe, a hybrid of two of Soundtraxx's own decoders.

The newest Bachmann decoders under the same catalogue number are from ESU, which is rather a stupid move by Bachmann as it can cause confusion as to which brand of decoder you are getting and which features it will have.

As Barry has read Soundtraxx on his, we know what it is so no problem there. :)
That is very generous of you, Barry. It could also encourage the newer/younger modellers to come forward and show us what they have been doing; something I am all for! 

 :cheers

As I recall, Soundtraxx nomenclature all means something.

I can't remember all of them, but I think that the MC1H10421P  is a 1 Amp 4 function non-sound HO decoder with 21 pins.

It should have the following NMRA colour coded leads . . .

Red = right rail
Black = left rail

Orange = motor (+)
Grey = motor (-)

White = headlight
Yellow = rear light

Blue = common (+) for lights.

Cheers

Errm … Max, if it's a 21-pin decoder, would it have any leads at all?

:hmm

No, but if you're going to fit it to another loco using a daughter board, you would need to know where the daughter board leads go.

If the recipient loco has a built in board, it will be fine, but not every loco has that.

Man, I sooo see why I stick to analogue..............................

Hi Barry,

Missed the H, which means N/OH. Supposed to be 4 function. Which you don't need on a steam locomotive. These decoders were made by Soundtraxx with minimal functions for Bachmann. Does the Bachmann literature say whether it's DC/DCC or DCC only? Doesn't seem to be made anymore. I only see 6 of the sockets with metal tubes, which leads me to think limited functions.

An ESU 21 pin adapter board, part #51967, which requires wiring is around £12. #51968 comes wired but costs more. Essential for a DC or 8-pin DCC locomotive conversion as 21 pin decoders are nigh on impossible to hard wire directly.

Most oem decoders are ok, but usually nowhere near what a multifunction brand name one can do. One reason for going DCC ready and buying your own or making sure that it has a full function one installed.

Nigel

Exactly, Nigel.

I've even seen them with CV's 2, 6 and 5 missing.  Soundtraxx is a middle of the road brand, so anything's possible.

These OE decoders are often the root of requests for help on forums, where ultimately nothing can be done to solve the running problem.

Rather than give it to an unsuspecting neophyte, it might be better to offer it to an experienced modeller.

Well designed decoders can be a whole lotta of fun,
But if that OEM comes near me I'm gonna cut and run.

Not sure I'd tackle this one, a 21 pin adapter board cries out for a decoder that can use it's full potential.

Barry, did you keep the 21 pin board with the wires? That would make life a bit easier. You may be flogging a dead horse though, the last survey showed the median age of the forum to be in Methuselah territory. Younger members tend to be DCC savvy, not having been exposed to the joys of blocks and cdu's.

Nigel

[user=1632]BCDR[/user] wrote:

…

the last survey showed the median age of the forum to be in Methuselah territory. 

…

 Nigel

 You speak for yourself, sonny!
     

Wow, I never thought that trying to do someone a favour would be such a PITA!!!

NOTICE is hereby served that this competition is CLOSED and the chip assigned to the bin.

I'm glad you guys chipped in (no pun intended) to avoid a newbie ending up with a potential nightmare.  The only winner would appear to be me - a brand new J11 from Cheltenham Models for £65.  Bargain.

B

That's a shame as I have only just seen this, I act young even though I have past my half century.

I have a Bachman Class 24 Diesel that I picked up cheap in a charity shop that's DCC ready it just needs a 21 pin chip fitting direct to the board in the loco.

Andy - I will retrieve the chip from the metaphoric dustbin!!

I have a couple of Class 24 "Skinheads" and really like them.  In the absence of a better claim in the next 10 days, I will send it to you.

Barry

Sorry everyone - just realised that I have managed to start a competition, cancel it and then start it up again in a matter of hours. :oops: :oops:

ALL STOP

The competition was closed and therefore stays closed.  I will send the chip to Andy as the first claimant after the competition stopped.

The End

I think that's fair, Barry. The decoder is usable - I have a couple in use in simpler locomotives without too many lighting functions and have had no problems with them. The class 24 should fit that category.
One thing though: I think Campaman should post a picture or two here, just to complete the transaction!

 :cool:  :cool:

Jeff

That seems fair

Over to you Andy…………….