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Does anyone know what decoder is used in the Paragon EMD E8B? I purchased the A unit with DCC and the B unit DCC ready. I would like to install a decoder in the B unit so I can consist it with the A unit.
Well Dave at Factory Direct Trains emailed me with the answer so I'll post it here in case someone else is interested. The decoder used is the Digitrax DZ125PS.
Actually, the type of decoder in the A unit really doesn't matter. All you needed was a motor control decoder in the B unit. Any type of motor control decoder would work. Simply because one has Digitrax, the other one doesn't require the same decoder to consist together. I've had consists of four engines with four different kinds of decoders. It does take a little fiddling with the speed table if the engines are from different companies to get them to match but, with most modern engines having 14:1 gearing, even that isn't a big deal any longer.
Actually, the type of decoder in the A unit really doesn't matter. All you needed was a motor control decoder in the B unit. Any type of motor control decoder would work. Simply because one has Digitrax, the other one doesn't require the same decoder to consist together. I've had consists of four engines with four different kinds of decoders. It does take a little fiddling with the speed table if the engines are from different companies to get them to match but, with most modern engines having 14:1 gearing, even that isn't a big deal any longer.
OK, but the Digitrax DZ125PS is just a motor decoder, not a sound decoder. Does the B unit already have the BLI DC sounds and you just want to add DCC control? If that's the case, my previous comments still stand - any decoder that fits will work. Otherwise, the Digitrax DZ125PS is not going to give you sound in a non-sound equipped engine.
OK, but the Digitrax DZ125PS is just a motor decoder, not a sound decoder. Does the B unit already have the BLI DC sounds and you just want to add DCC control? If that's the case, my previous comments still stand - any decoder that fits will work. Otherwise, the Digitrax DZ125PS is not going to give you sound in a non-sound equipped engine.
Well I guess I really don't need sound in the B unit just DCC control though sound would be nice. I'm not sure if the B unit has BLI DC sound. The add just said DCC ready so I'm guessing it probably doesn't.
Well I guess I really don't need sound in the B unit just DCC control though sound would be nice. I'm not sure if the B unit has BLI DC sound. The add just said DCC ready so I'm guessing it probably doesn't.
"DCC ready" means it'll take a decoder. BLI's descriptions will tell you if it has sound. It'll say "DCC ready, DC sound equipped". I have a pair of Blue Line engines in HO, and they were both DC sound equipped, and DCC ready, but it specified that on the box. If it doesn't say it has sound, it doesn't have sound.
Most BLI "B" units do not have sound unless it's explicitly stated on the package or in the ad, as Terry said. Really, having sound in both units is overkill. It's hard to adjust two sound units so they sound good without overpowering the room. One sound unit is more than adequate. There is nothing wrong with the DCC decoder suggested for motor control in the B unit but decoders are starting to become commodity items today. As long as it's not MRC, the cheapest decoder you can find will work fine with a B unit, since there are no lights to control, just the motor. MRC decoders are not well built, fail frequently, and are expensive at any price.
