02-15-2023, 10:29 PM
I am no help on the 21 pin. I have not run into that but Todd is the man for sure on that I don't think any of my locomotives are newer than 2015 if that new. The Kato SD45 and SD80MAC and the bachmann spectrum steam locomotives were good with the digitrax decoder mentioned above as well as some of the Proto locomotives that were DCC ready I did add sound decoders to 3 Proto PA's and used the MRC drop in 1802 I think was the number and I installed a MRC sound decoder in a steam switcher and they worked well. I am waiting for a TSU 2000 decoder I ordered for a PRR Q2 and I hope that goes well I have done all the wiring so it should be a matter of putting a jst micro plug on it to mate with the harness installed. I also used the NCE in 3 brass steam locomotives and several diesels and I didn't especially need sound in them. All preform well but I did replace the motors
You will do fine. You can for starters use a 1156 auto bulb in series with a track lead to make power districts. These limit the current to a district to 1 amp and won't shut down the whole layout. I am guessing you have blocks for the dc which can easily be made power districts. I used these for several years until I found out about voltscooters a reasonably priced dcc circuit breakers that can be made for various current up to 3 amps and so far are preforming well on my layout.
Charlie
You will do fine. You can for starters use a 1156 auto bulb in series with a track lead to make power districts. These limit the current to a district to 1 amp and won't shut down the whole layout. I am guessing you have blocks for the dc which can easily be made power districts. I used these for several years until I found out about voltscooters a reasonably priced dcc circuit breakers that can be made for various current up to 3 amps and so far are preforming well on my layout.
Charlie