MERG homemade decoders

[CanuckMark]

Has anyone here built and/or used the homebuilt decoder design by the MERG group? I've built a V13 test unit on perfboard and it seems to work well, but due to the unconventional DCC I'm using the motor response isn't that great. But I'm thinking of building some for passenger coach lighting (trailing cars with rear lighting effects) - it has all the strobe, MARS, ets effects on 5 outputs.

Before anyone says it'd cost more to hand build them then just buy the off the shelf units, I agree - BUT up here in Canada this stuff is still a lot more money (a NCE D13SR that sells for 17 bucks in US is $28), plus I have access to all the equipment and parts to build them. This seems like an interesting project.

Here's a link: http://www.merg.org.uk/resources/dcc.htm They have some cool stuff in auto reverse and accessory modules too.

Mark

 

[UP2CSX]

Mark, it's a really interesting idea but I just don't have the skills to build surface mount components. What kind of unconventional DCC system are you running? Seems like any decoders that meet NMRA specs are going to have problems unless the controller also meets the same specs.

 

[John P]

My experience is that what kills the economics of making your own electronic devices is producing circuit boards. Printed circuits are just like getting something printed on paper--the cost is outrageous if you just want one, but gets reasonable as you buy larger quantities. The commercial manufacturers are getting thousands of boards made, and they can get them cheap. I'm afraid the only way this could work would be if a group of people got together and did a combined purchase. And then who'd be responsible for getting the design correct?

 

[CanuckMark]

It's my scratchbuilt system. It has to with the way code is sent to the rails - occasionally there can be a pause between transmitted codes (maybe .2 seconds) which the MERG decoder reads as DC, causing it to either briefly shut down or speed burst. Packet timeout in my NCE decoders fixes this glitch, but the MERG timeout doesn't seem to work. It's never been a concern other than with the MERG decoders, so motor control with them won't be practical.

Actually it would be interesting to see if they have the same problem with a store bought system - I guess that's why I'm looking for other users of the decoders.

Mark

 

[AndrewC]

I haven't personally used them but spent some time at their display at the Chatham show back in June. There seemed to be no troubles with the decoders running on their system. I do know one chap that has built a few and they run fine on his Lenz system.