Kato Big Boy Decoder

[dem34]

If it's the factory that's doing these installs, color me underwhelmed 



-Mark

uhh. They are aware they can trim the wires they aren't using right? 
But jeez its like whoever did it was taking their time keeping things nice in the loc then just chucked a pile of Spaghetti in the tender.

Almost looks as bad as my little boxcab.

[peteski]

My decoder install in that Big Boy (when I eventually get back to that project) will only have 3 wires between the loco and tender.    I'm also hoping to run the wires in the drawbar and to have a 3-pin connector to be able to uncouple the tender when needed.  But like I mentioned, I'm not doing a production line full of these.

[nscaler711]

Theres no way they did that at the factory. I'm pretty sure the QC would not allow that. Japan has extremely high standards for stuff like this.*
That was probably done in IL...

*well... outside of Mitsubishi and Nissan... 

[reinhardtjh]

They had an ad on FaceBook or somewhere looking for DCC installers.  Multiple ones I think. It was recent - within a month or so.

[nstars]

The sound versions are indeed a factory install, but I guess you could say its not up to Kato standard. It’s not always done consistently and recently we did find a sample with the blue wire connected to the rails. Fortunately this was captured before it was put on the track.

Marc

[spookshow]

I should point out that despite all the ugliness, it does run just fine.

-Mark

[peteski]

I should point out that despite all the ugliness, it does run just fine.

-Mark

Sure, there are also plenty of layouts out there which run fine with a huge rat's-nest of wires, but my image of fastidious perfectionist (is that redundant?) Kato is forever blown.

[OldEastRR]

It's like sausage - ignorance of the inner workings is bliss 

-Mark

Hey MarK -- your e-mail link on your site isn't working. What I'm wondering is why you haven't done a review of the third (latest)version of the Atlas RS-3, as w/DCC or DCC-ready.

[spookshow]

My email works fine and Atlas hasn't released a DCC Ready RS-3 yet.

-Mark

[pmpexpress]

Mark,
The non sound DCC version has not released yet. Due out soon, but I don't have the firm date.
John (tpwillie)

The non-sound DCC decoder equipped version of Kato's Big Boy locomotive is now in stock at a Lombard Hobbies.

[sundowner]

[peteski]

Kato has definitely downgraded their factory installed decoder offerings.  Curious how the Digitrax decoder handles driving those dual coreless motors.

[sundowner]

Kato has definitely downgraded their factory installed decoder offerings.  Curious how the Digitrax decoder handles driving those dual coreless motors.

What downgrade, its a full function Digitrax decoder.

[Jbub]

What downgrade, its a full function Digitrax decoder.

Plus, they have used Digitrax decoders for their non-sound units for a while now.

[robert3985]

Although I am not interested in the Kato model of the restored 4014, my comment about the rat's nest inside is "...meh..."

Since I wouldn't be running it with the shells off anyway, as long as it runs okay, that's all that counts in my book.

The reason Kato went with the Soundtraxx Tsunami 2 decoders in the sound version is because the Soundtraxx Large Steam decoders are better than ESU's...they sound better and have features that ESU Loksound decoders don't have, such as an integral frequency equalizer, and more accurate sounds, such as the whistle, blow-down, brake squeal and that lovely rod-clank.  Chuff sounds better too.

However, I only install ESU Loksound sound decoders in my diesels...for the very best diesel sound.

As for non-sound Digitrax decoders, I've been running them in many of my engines since I started using DCC 15 or so years ago, and have never had a bad experience with any of them, nor a complaint about their running qualities.

Just my two-bits worth...

Cheerio!
Bob Gilmore