06-18-2009, 12:45 PM
I can't agree with squidbait, Digitrax decoders are the weak links of my DCC decoder roster.
NCE decoders are pretty good, you won't have any bizarre weird problems with them like you do some other decoder brands.
That said, TCS has something that NCE decoders don't- Back EMF. while alot of high end sound decoders feature this (like Loksound), as do Lenz decoders, they don't seem to be used in anybody else's decoders that i'm aware of.
this allows greater motor control, and can squeeze out power. For example, my Atlas ALP44 with an older TCS product (the DP5X, which is also pretty good), has no Back EMF. at most, it can pull 6 Walthers Horizon cars on a straight track, but forget about push mode, and it pretty much stuck to more like 5 cars.
My friend has an ALP44 that is running with a TL6, a new TCS decoder with Back EMF. other than this decoder, the running gear and weight are the same (it may actually be lighter due to other modifications). However, his ALP44 can pull an 8 car train of the Horizon cars, AND can push them. Back EMF makes a real difference in the performance of your locomotive.
For a little midget commuter engine, this is impressive.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su5BkimJ8vQ&feature=channel_page">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su5BkimJ ... annel_page</a><!-- m -->
NCE decoders are pretty good, you won't have any bizarre weird problems with them like you do some other decoder brands.
That said, TCS has something that NCE decoders don't- Back EMF. while alot of high end sound decoders feature this (like Loksound), as do Lenz decoders, they don't seem to be used in anybody else's decoders that i'm aware of.
this allows greater motor control, and can squeeze out power. For example, my Atlas ALP44 with an older TCS product (the DP5X, which is also pretty good), has no Back EMF. at most, it can pull 6 Walthers Horizon cars on a straight track, but forget about push mode, and it pretty much stuck to more like 5 cars.
My friend has an ALP44 that is running with a TL6, a new TCS decoder with Back EMF. other than this decoder, the running gear and weight are the same (it may actually be lighter due to other modifications). However, his ALP44 can pull an 8 car train of the Horizon cars, AND can push them. Back EMF makes a real difference in the performance of your locomotive.
For a little midget commuter engine, this is impressive.
<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su5BkimJ8vQ&feature=channel_page">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su5BkimJ ... annel_page</a><!-- m -->
Modeling New Jersey Under the Wire 1978-1979.
![[Image: logosmall.png]](http://i543.photobucket.com/albums/gg445/CAB_IV/Model%20Trains%202013/logosmall.png)