Big Brand Performance from Cheap Decoders? AE Models Budget Range

[@GSD-hd1yh]

Not having a background in electronics I like to try things and prove them to myself. The latest project is to fit a Next18 female socket into one of my older locos and then see if I can add sound and control with an HM7000 Bluetooth decoder and speaker. Eventually I will let you know if it works or if I just blow up the decoder.

[@garycooper9574]

Thank you for the great video. Sorry for your country's great loss the queen

[@notapro968]

Great video with tests that really demonstrate capability of items on test.

[@Robin.s-Rails]

Hi Jenny, Many thanks. I’ve fitted 8-pin decoders and stay-alives to my Hornby Duchess of Sutherland (hard wired to the ringfield motor in the tender) and Achilles Dean Single (Strapped together with self amalgamating tape and fitted in the cab with key wires fed through a small hole drilled from cab to body and re-soldered to the 8-pin socket). I used an 8-pin socket removed from a coach with wires still attached (secured by blue tack) as a heat sink whilst de-soldering/re-soldering the wires of the decoder, self amalgamating tape for insulation and black tack to hold the decoders and stay-alives in place. I use blue tack to hold wires etc in place whilst soldering. The performance of the locos is enhanced as a result. Good for a KZbin presentation??

[@rodwilliams1381]

Thanks Jenny. A great and informative video and,as I have quite a few models to convert I will seriously be looking at these decoders. My only question is, if I want sound what is my best avenue there. Cheers

[@onnomulder9775]

Awesome video Jenny!!! Thanks for sharing this one! Cheers Onno.

[@richardallan2331]

On the Bachmann shunter, I'd be getting rid of the myriad of chokes & capacitors on the motor before giving a fair comparison of the decoders. These can have a massive effect on the running of some decoders. Even quite expensive high quality ones in my experience...

[@DavidSmith-dm8ew]

I have also seen poor performance with chokes and caps when they are left on the locos. The problem was solved when they were removed.

[@RS-xo7rd]

I agree. I've had quite good performance from Lais if they are tickled via a Sprog. They are a bit 'fierce; straight out of the box.

[@waltersparbier6804]

Thank you Jenny. Excellent video and review. I am using the romanian trainomatic decoders a while and i am excited. I will have a check on the AE decoders and buy a few when they are buyable in Germany. Have a nice weekend. Greetings from Germany.

[@eisenbau]

The instructions look remarkably similar to the Rails Connect decoder, both seem to be by DCC Concepts. Are they actually the same decoder? In both cases CV 66 is motor type, which can be changed form 0 to 1 to optimise running with coreless motors. Also find it interesting that Train-O-Matic sponsor other manufacturers decoders ;)

[@andyt741]

very good video, very informative and perfectly timed as ive just had 4 imperium3 decoders delivered and there all going back as it appears they are factory locked and there is no way to unlock and change cv1, gonna give these a try👍

[@samuelmcshane6669]

Hi Jennifer,I new to rail modelling and have spent lots and lots of money trying to find a good low cost decoder, most of my locos although brand new are at the low end of the market. I’m willing to try AE decoders however I’m not sure what a”stay alive” chip is and what it does. Thank you for now. Sam

[@GSD-hd1yh]

Sam, think of the Stay Alive as a kind of back up battery. If your loco reaches a dead bit of track it will stall, but a stay alive will keep supplying power to the motor to enable you to get past the bit of track that has lost power.

[@paulsotheron710]

Thank you for the insight, very interesting and informative, they certainly seem to be good decoders.

[@glenwood4228]

Interesting video Jenny. I have a 'brand new' Hornby St Catherine although a few years old which is tender driven and tyres. It was fitted with a Zimo chip and stay alive but the run isn't smooth so have taken the chip out. You mentioned that the 'old' Hornby's seemed to draw more power so I wondered how the AE chips would fair. What are your thoughts please? Regards

[@PaulSmith-pl7fo]

Hi Jenny. A very informative video. I understand your connections to DCCconcepts and Tramfabriek, but it would have been nice to put the AE Models decoders in perspective to these other brands. DCCconcepts are up to £10 more than AE (won't break the bank) but I didn't look at the Tramfabriek prices.

[@eisenbau]

They also seem the same as the Rails Connect decoders from DCC Concepts, though perhaps with stay alive wiring built in.

[@paulrounding5260]

Excellent review, I normally use Lenz decoders, but I might try one of these next time.👍

[@1701_FyldeFlyer]

Interesting review, Jen. Seems a good budget decoder.

[@briansims2865]

Hi jenny I run N GAUGE loco`s on my dcc layout have 2 hall class loco`s that i have a problem with can`t find a chip to fit into the tender,needs to be less then 10cm long ,I have 2 that i had to cut a peace out of the tender to fit but will not fit all the way on,the loco`s are Dapol hall class can you help me at all thank you Brian.

[@phil36310]

"Amazing" how Train-o-matic sponsors AE decoders !!! A competitor ! And it seems AED is just another brand from DCC Concepts ??

[@OTRWA]

Cheers for the product info and updates...I am still researching everything DCC as I am just getting back into the hobby after 20 years...planning a DCC+ EX build. So many time have I soldered forgetting the heat shrink...LOL...Thanks again

[@wamgoc]

Am I right in thinking that DCC Concepts are the manufacturers for these AE Decoders?

[@hamshackleton]

Those decoders look good.

[@mels4796]

thank you for wonderful info Jenny

[@hermitageroad4713]

I have tried 2 of these and found them to be good at the price

[@mels1811]

Excellent info Jenny

[@trapdriver7006]

Excellent informative review and as always Jenny impartial.👍😀😀😀🚂

[@charlie1872]

Always interesting to see something new. As you might know my locos are DC having missed the opportunity to get on board with DCC so, what I am interested in his how they would work with my old Triang Hornby DC locos. Your example with the 0-6-0 would be a cause for concern. I came into a few decoders from a friend and am assuming the only way to test them would be to solder them to one of my older locos as a test ?

[@markweightman3805]

Not enough power for the older Triang Hornby loco's (apart from the bigger O gauge decoder), looking at specs they are 750mA continuous 1 Amp peak..not enough uumph..I've successfully used Zimo mx600 which have 800mA continuous and 1.5Amp peak, which work across a range of X03\X04 powered locos..(and Ringfield motor). Having said that, for modern locomotive it looks good , so will likely try some in the near future..

[@damenfeld]

You can buy Zimo decoders for less than these are retailed for, plus Zimo has a MUCH better feature set than these decoders.

[@SammoKarm]

Impressed with the stay alive, Stay alives haven't worked very well for me in the past.

[@Cloudman572]

Disappointing " review", what is the amp rating for motor and other functions, what is their feature listing eg do they have ABC system?

[@Fogerty1959]

Digitrax decoder’s are just as cheap. Indestructible

[@IronHorseRailways]

Had a lot of experience with lais, it really does seem to be hit and miss as to if you get a 'good' one or not... Actually they can run so poorly you end up thinking there's an issue with the loco! These AE units are affordable and work very well - why would you still go and buy a lais chip?😬😬😬😬

[@martensiersma3304]

3 wire keep alives are adjustable. 2 wire are not