#11 Modifying an 8-Pin DCC Deocder with a TCS 21-Pin Breakout Adaptor

[@TheWGLOVER]

After my finally succeeding to convert my class 47 using your method, I am considering fitting a TTS decoder to my Bachmann class 20, which also has a 21 pin socket. I bet it also won't be easy. Another great tutorial, presented in a very clear way. I look forward to more.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

William Glover Thanks, William. Well done getting the other one done! Did you get my email? I've found the adaptors (as this video shows!) so can pop my spare TCS one in the post to you, if you'd like?

[@TheWGLOVER]

I've just had the top off this class 20. Very easy. However, how one can fit a TTS decoder is beyond me. Just enough room for the 21 pin standard decoder. There is a moulding to take a oval speaker, but the recess has minimal depth. Not too clever these Bachmann designers. I'm going to have to ponder this a bit more.

[@kiwitrains]

Great did this on a Bachmann Class 20 and now the body goes on ok, it took some searching to find the TCS boards but worth it.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Excellent! Glad it worked 🙂

[@DJModelRailway]

Super informative video! Will be helpful to remember if needed. I do need to get one of those decoder testers, very useful tool! Cheers Des :)

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Thanks, Des. I've got a few livery and re-numbering projects coming up, so I'm hoping to video them. Also some more electronics ones. And, now the weather is improving, hopefully I'll get the layout finally moving too! So much to do, never enough time to do it 🙂👍🏻

[@DJModelRailway]

Always a never ending list and never enough time to accommodate it all!

[@ewanperridge3387]

love your vids wish a was as talented as you

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Many thanks for the lovely comment. Thank you for your support - much appreciated! 🙂

[@BarnabasJunction]

Excellent tutorial =D Do you have a purchase link for the breakout boards? Many thanks for the show shout out, I do believe it is helping lots of channels getting recognised including yourself =D regards Jason. P.S I think i have the name right now ;)

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Thanks, Jason. Much appreciated. Yeah, the show is a great thing for getting some exposure to the newer channels. They're the ones that need the shout outs more than the big established ones. Re the adaptors, you can get them here (when they're in stock). Ironically, unless you have five to convert, they're a more expensive option than cutting off the 8 pin socket as I did in the earlier video. www.dccsupplies.com/item-p-102856/tcs-21-pin-1358-breakout-adapter

[@kiwitrains]

Hi Enjoyed the video very much as I was wondering how to do this. I have fitted a Class 47 TTS decoder into a Heljan Lion and it has been brilliant and not blown the decoder. I actually fitted a LokSound Class 50 to a Heljan DP2 and the decoder went twice good job for the warranty.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

That's really good to know, many thanks! I've always thought the heljan power draw would zap a TTS chip, but if it copes, the may provide even more usage options 👍🏻

[@DugmerJunction]

Please can you provide a link where i can buy the TCS 21-Pin Breakout Adaptor?

[@StrathpefferJunction]

So far as I'm aware, these guys are the only supplier in the UK: www.coastaldcc.co.uk/products/tcs/21-pin-socket

[@DugmerJunction]

Strathpeffer Junction thank you mate and top marks on the videos, really enjoy watching them

[@StrathpefferJunction]

@@DugmerJunction Many thanks indeed for the feedback. Much appreciated. I'm heading back into hospital for more work on my back next week, but when I'm back on my feed, the Mainline adaptor is next on my list. I've already got a few rough drafts done, but I've more work to do on it to get it working well.

[@DugmerJunction]

Strathpeffer Junction speedy recovery and look forward to seeing the video

[@johncarvil498]

Great video, very Informative................John.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Many thanks, John.

[@brooklynroad8581]

Where do buy the decoder tester. nice video

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Thanks, Chris. That one was about £10 off ebay. You can buy the newer ones (which come with a switch built in, so don't need this conversion) for about £45. If you can wait, the old ones pop up periodically on ebay and are still worth the money.

[@raymondwillem6370]

I fitted a tts class 37 to a vitrains 37 both 8pin as you know. Everything worked fine for 20 minutes then the sound just packed up. The motion was still there though. Do you think the vitrains was also drawing to much current. Love your videos very informative.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Many thanks for the kind comments, Raymond. Much appreciated. Re. the chip. I don't have any Vitrains locos myself, but I just had a quick look on rmweb and Google, and can see examples of them working OK with TTS chips. My gut would be that it's not a current draw issue, as you'd probably not be experiencing sound either. It's hard to tell without seeing it and probing about with test equipment, but if I were a betting man, I'd probably spread my bets on either the chip being faulty/blown or lose wiring/connection. Did the loco work fine under dc? Did/does the chip work OK in another loco? Before doing anything else, I'd recommend you take the chip out and look carefully for any lose connections/solder joints and also any potential shorts between wires to/on the harness. With these Hornby Decoders, I've sometimes found that it's only by the grace of God that poor soldering hasn't lead to shorting. If there's a lose connection, carefully solder it and try the decoder again. If there's a short, if it's fixable, fix it - they don't always blow the chip if the chip has overload protection - and test the chip. Perhaps best on a test track with limited current, if you're able to do that. If there's nothing obvious visibly wrong with the chip (eg. no obvious shorts), try using it with another loco and see how it fairs. Perhaps try twenty mins in one direction on medium speed, then the same in the other? If it works, then it may be down to an issue with the Vitrains chassis, so potentially a short in it/on the pcb or a motor issue that draws too much current (sometimes cleaning and lubricating the gearing can help). A short is perhaps less likely if it worked on dc. If it doesn't work in another loco, it's probably a defective chip. In which case I'd contact Hornby and ask for a replacement. I've never (touch wood) had an issue with a tts chip, but have had issues with their basic non-sound chip, and that chip is, I think, what underpins the tts decoder. Let me know how you get on 🙂

[@guyprior6237]

Hi there good video can you do a video on what the different coloured wires are for and how they should be connected to.....say an old Hornby class 25 please? I want to change to DCC but I have older Hornby and Lima locomotives. I have watched how to connect a chip to the engine and pick up stuff but they never discuss the other coloured wires and how they work the lights in presume. Cheers I still enjoy your video keep up the good work. Guy

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Hi Guy. Many thanks for the kind words. Much appreciated. Do you mean a quick explanation on what each wire is for, like red and black from the rails, grey and orange to the motor etc.? If so, I'm sure I could do a quick one on that, yes. 🙂

[@guyprior6237]

Hello again you are welcome and the short answer is yes but if it isn't toooo much trouble could you do a video on fitting it as well as explaining what the wires are for. It appears an easy fit but I would like to be sure, it is expensive and I want to get it right. Kitting out 30 locomotives with chips will take time but I figured an old Hornby class 25 would be an average older model to emulate the rest.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

I'll see what I can do over the next week or two. 🙂

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Guy Prior Hi Guy. I've found an old Lima Class 47 that I need to add a decoder to. I'll use that for a video looking at hardwiring a dcc decoder into an old ringfield motor loco. Will hopefully get it done in the next week. Hope it helps.

[@guyprior6237]

Hey there sounds good please discuss where all wires go even if you don't connect them. I am looking forward to seeing this and I know it will be watched numerous times....by me. The other thing is why use an 8 pin when a 21 pin seems to offer more options or am I mistaken??? Cheers hope you are keeping warm, we are getting storms hitting the country but palmerston north isn't seeing much action, weather wise. They call them cyclones in the south Pacific as opposed to hurricanes; same thing really. Happy modelling guy

[@guyprior6237]

Hello again I only ask because I don't know enough about this topic however, I know there must be others looking as I am by virtue of the collection of older and favoured locomotives. You seem to have your finger on the pulse so who else best to ask Cheers

[@StrathpefferJunction]

I may have a couple of hours free this afternoon to shoot something quickly. If I do an explanation of what the wires on an 8 pin decoder do and talk about how to fit one to an old ring field type motor, would that be enough? Unfortunately, I don't have any old ring field type motors to convert as I've sold most of them on, so can't actually show the installation process. Anything specific you'd like me to touch on? 🙂

[@TheWGLOVER]

I don' t know if the Class 20 has the same height problem. Quite likely. If you have one spare, please send it. I'll pay for it, and postage

[@StrathpefferJunction]

Don't worry about paying or postage, William. Consider it a thank you for supporting the channel 🙂 I'll pop it in the post tomorrow.

[@TheWGLOVER]

You are a gent.

[@TheWGLOVER]

I have just received the adaptor. Looks like the Class 20 may be a goer using the same speaker I used in the Class 47. Thanks again.

[@StrathpefferJunction]

No problem. Best of luck with it!