Having hard time finding freight locomotive and DCC decoder match right now

[jindaiji]

Hi folks. First post. Really appreciate the wealth of information on this site. 

 

I did an HO layout last year and now in the midst of building my DCC N scale Japanese layout. I lived in Japan for over a decade and miss the trains. 

 

So I have my drop-in EM13 DCC Yamanote-sen, Shinkansen and some Japanese freight cars. I have been struggling over some weeks trying to find the right electric freight locomotive with easy "drop-in" light board replacement. I realize there is no drop-in EM13 option like the passenger trains for electric Japanese freight locos. I really like the look of the EF65 or similar with the small JR logo on the sides. A few versions of that would fit my layout well. However, I can't seem to find the dn-ef65/60 decoder for sale anywhere in Japan or elsewhere. I don't have a problem navigating through Japanese websites and retailers. I am proficient enough in Japanese. I have used the same retailers oft referenced on this site for other purchases. 

 

Anyway, my question is, if you were trying to find a simple DCC installation Japanese electric freight locomotive right now, what would you get and where would you get it? Hoping for non-body modification or LED adjustment light board replacement type. The EF65 fits the bill according to all the info, but can't find the decoder. Should I just wait some time for the decoder to become available again?

 

I would consider a different locomotive as well. Not opposed to a used one from a decent source. I think I checked them all though. I can't order directly through the Kato Custom Shop either unless I do it through a friend or my wife's relative in Japan which is possible, but not ideal. 

 

Ideas? Suggestions. Am I missing something obvious like looking for the wrong decoder? There is usually a simple alternative when I find myself in these predicaments. I just can't seem to find it!

Edited March 6, 2014 by jindaiji

[jindaiji]

And one more thing. The Kato FL12 head/tail light decoder is also currently out of stock from every decent retailer I could find in the US or Japan. Is it common for the availability to come and go over several months?

[Melandir]

Check with TCS they have a good range of drop in decoder for kato locos,

Sometimes they are simple drop in other times you need to work on it a bit harder like I did on my EF58 (but it was passenger loco)

 

I have this EF81 500  http://www.katomodels.com/custom/service/n/loco/electric/ef81/ef81_500_jrf/

and TCS decoder K0D8-C is a plain drop in, no modification required

 

with EF58 150 http://www.katomodels.com/n/ef58_150/

you need to work a bit harder, I have used TCS K0D8-A but I needed to shorten the leds (it's better if you replace them directly with 1.8mm leds, the 3mm that come equipped are a little too big) and you need to extend the motor pickup (or buy longer ones from kato) to connect them to the decoder

 

Also I have seen that the decoder is really tight on height and in the middle of the loco the shell does not gos back exactly in place (about 1mm higher than what should be), but I can "currently" live with it I think that this issue is due to pickup extension I did, I used a round copper wire, maybe with a flat copper cable issue could disappear

[westfalen]

Have you checked out NGDCC.

http://www.snjpn.com/ngdcc/de29/de29x6_54k.htm

 

I've installed one of his decoders in an EF65.

[jindaiji]

Thanks for the advice both.

 

Melandir, I liked the spec of the TCS decoders when I first learned about them. But couldn't be sure of the right match with a locomotive based on the info I had found. It must be fate, but I had saved a bookmark for an EF81 500 with same part number you linked. It was on sale at yardsaletrains.com for $57. Their only Japanese model in stock just by chance. The seller did not even know it was a Japanese model. Used, but if you check forums a lot of folks had good experience with this one man collector site. So I went ahead and ordered it since my favorite US hobby shop also has a K0D8-C decoder in stock. This locomotive looks great in the photos. Thanks for the advice. Hopefully this pans out with a good loco and easy install. If not I'll have an excuse to get more locomotives! I will post back here once I try to get it running. 

 

westfalen, I did read through the NGDCC site more than once to check specs and part numbers. It looks like a lot of folks like NGDCC and they have some cool products. I just couldn't be certain from what I read on finding the right match and avoiding a troublesome install which I would more than likely muck up. I will take note for next time though. 

[EF65 1100]

This page: http://www.katomodels.com/hobby/dcc/digitrax_decorders.shtml

 

If you find 29-303, you will see in the description that the DN-EF65/60(KATO) is simply a modified DN163K0a with LED leads shortened. The DN163K0a is definitely easier to find.

 

I would think that shortening the LED leads is easier than finding an exact drop-in board replacement, as the EF65 doesn't seem to be popular enough...

Edited March 7, 2014 by EF 65 1100

[Melandir]

About the EF81 500 and the decoder, it's better if you solder che motor pickup to the decoder instead of using che lightboard clip, it assure better contact because the decoder is a bit taller than the lightboard and the clip does not fit perfectly, other than this simple operation it's plug and play.

 

If you solder the motor pickup you don't need the clip anymore

Edited March 7, 2014 by Melandir

[jindaiji]

This page: http://www.katomodels.com/hobby/dcc/digitrax_decorders.shtml

 

If you find 29-303, you will see in the description that the DN-EF65/60(KATO) is simply a modified DN163K0a with LED leads shortened. The DN163K0a is definitely easier to find.

 

I would think that shortening the LED leads is easier than finding an exact drop-in board replacement, as the EF65 doesn't seem to be popular enough...

 

 

Based on the time I spent searching, I cannot disagree with you. I don't mind doing simple modifications. Perhaps I will be more brave next time after doing my first easy fit lightboard replacement.  I have just had some less than great experiences in the past doing passenger car lighting hacks in cars where they "almost fit". 

[jindaiji]

About the EF81 500 and the decoder, it's better if you solder che motor pickup to the decoder instead of using che lightboard clip, it assure better contact because the decoder is a bit taller than the lightboard and the clip does not fit perfectly, other than this simple operation it's plug and play.

 

If you solder the motor pickup you don't need the clip anymore

 

Thanks again! That much I can do without breaking something...

[Darklighter]

It looks like a lot of folks like NGDCC and they have some cool products. I just couldn't be certain from what I read on finding the right match and avoiding a troublesome install which I would more than likely muck up. 

Just send NGDCC an e-mail in English and I'm sure he will be happy to help.

[jindaiji]

After playing with my layout build ideas for a while, I finally got around to the decoder install on the EF81 500. And yes the quick and easy pickup solder job is nearly a must. Runs like a champ and looks great! Thanks again Melandir, for the advice on this model. Exactly what I was looking for. 

 

[Melandir]

I'm happy that my informations have been of some help to you