Two Function, 1.3 Amp N or HO "Micro Decoder" Now With Programmable BEMF/Dither Functions. Download The New BEMF PDF File Click Here.

From the start the design criteria for the M1 decoder was to make it small for N scale but fully capable of powering OO/HO locos! 

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Two 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 14mm (0.570")
  • Width: 9mm (0.355")
  • Thickness:  3.5mm (0.132")

M1 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness. 

M1 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

Same Spec As Above But Excellent For Small Locos With Plugs And Lots Of UK Locos Where A Standard Decoder Is Too Big To Fit.... i.e. Hornby 8F, N2, Fowler 2-6-4T. Bachmann 08, Pannier Tank etc etc..... 
 

Three Function X series , 1.3 Amp N or HO "Micro Decoder".

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Three 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 14mm (0.570")
  • Width: 9mm (0.355")
  • Thickness:  3.5mm (0.132")

M3 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness. 

M3 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

Same Spec As Above But Excellent For Small Locos With Plugs And Lots Of UK Locos Where A Standard Decoder Is Too Big To Fit.... i.e. Hornby 8F, N2, Fowler 2-6-4T. Bachmann 08, Pannier Tank etc etc..... 

Four Function X series, 1.3 Amp N or HO "Micro Decoder".

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Four 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 14mm (0.570")
  • Width: 9mm (0.355")
  • Thickness:  3.5mm (0.132")

M4 With A NMRA 8 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness. 

M4 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

Same Spec As Above But Excellent For Small Locos With Plugs And Lots Of UK Locos Where A Standard Decoder Is Too Big To Fit.... i.e. Hornby 8F, N2, Fowler 2-6-4T. Bachmann 08, Pannier Tank etc etc..... 

TCS-MC2

Two-Function, 1.3 Amp N or HO Scale Micro Decoder With Miniature 7-Pin Harness Connector. Now With Programmable BEMF/Dither Functions. Download The New BEMF PDF File Click Here.

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Two 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 18mm (0.71")
  • Width: 10.5mm (0.41")
  • Thickness:  5mm (0.19'')

MC2 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness. 

MC2 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

Same Spec As Above But Excellent For Small Locos With Plugs And Lots Of UK Locos Where A Standard Decoder Is Too Big To Fit.... i.e. Hornby 8F, N2, Fowler 2-6-4T. Bachmann 08, Pannier Tank etc etc..... 

TCS-MC2-P-UK
5Pack.

5 Pack Of The Above MC2 Version

TCS-MC4

Four-Function X series, 1.3 Amp N or HO Scale Micro Decoder With Miniature 7-Pin Harness Connector. 

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Four 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 18mm (0.71")
  • Width: 10.5mm (0.41")
  • Thickness:  5mm (0.19'')

MC4 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness.

MC4 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

TCS-MC6

Six-Function X series , 1.3 Amp N or HO Scale Micro Decoder With Miniature 7-Pin Harness Connector. 

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Six 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 18mm (0.71")
  • Width: 10.5mm (0.41")
  • Thickness:  5mm (0.19'')

MC6 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug & Medium Harness.

MC6 With A NMRA 8 Pin Plug With UK Side Mounted Wires.

Four-function X Series Decoder, With 1.3-amp HO "drop in" decoder for Atlas, Athearn, Kato, Bachmann, (We are told that these are great for Bachmann 40's, 37's etc when you are fitting lighting, as they replace the old boards).

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Four 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 73mm (2.860")
  • Width: 17.3mm (0.680")
  • Thickness: 3.7mm (0.145")

Six functions X Series Decoder,, 1.3-amp Suitable For Atlas, Athearn, Kato, Bachmann, Life Like etc. (We are told that these are great for Bachmann 40, 37s etc when you are fitting lighting, as they replace the old boards).

The A6X is a drop-in replacement for the locomotive light board. It has standard 12 volt supply for 12 to 14 volt bulbs and also has an on board 1.5 volt regulated power supply to directly hook up 1.5 volt bulbs without the need for dropping resistors. This is very useful for Athearn Genesis series locos and Life Like Locos that come equipped with 1.5 volt bulbs! 

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Six function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 73mm (2.860")
  • Width: 17.3mm (0.680")
  • Thickness: 3.7mm (0.145")
     

• Features:

  • On board 1.5 volt power supply and standard 12 volt power supply.
  • Decoders are almost transparent on DC, making the engine act like a decoder isn't there. Brake on DC allows you to control the lights while the train is in a DC block.
  • Quiet Drive is active at all times, which greatly reduces engine noise.
  • Dither provides rapid bursts of power to overcome resistance. You control both the power and frequency. See slow speeds unequalled in the industry.
  • Lighting Effects: Auto-reversing headlights, Blinking Ditch Lights, Mars, Gyra, Rotary Beacon, Single- and Double-Pulse Strobe, Opposite Dim, Flashing and Random flicker. Rule 17 headlight dimming can be set to occur when stopped, opposite the direction of travel, or both. You always have manual control.
  • Button Control allows you to pick the control buttons of your choice.
  • Factory Reset lets you change most of your choices back to their factory default values if you get into a situation you don't like.
  • 128 speed steps are active when Mid volts, Top volts, Start volts or the user- loadable speed table is active for much smoother operation.
  • Primary 2-digit addressing or advanced 4-digit addressing may be used.
  • Consist Addressing has a Special Feature allowing you to automatically turn off any undesired lighting when you add the engine to a consist.
  • TCS decoders support all programming modes plus OPS mode ( on-track programming ) and meet NMRA DCC standards for compatibility.

The "T1" is TCS's most economical motor control decoder. Even with its low price, this 2 x lighting function decoder with lighting effects, features state of the art features like Quiet Drive and Dither. Supplied with standard 9 pin wire harness, So It Plugs Into Athearn & Life Like R-T-R Locos

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Two 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm (1.000")
  • Width: 17mm (0.680")
  • Thickness:  6.5mm (0.250")

(Was TH141)
 

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Four 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm ( 1.000")
  • Width: 17mm (0.680")
  • Thickness:  6.5mm (0.250")

(Was TH141)

(Was T2)

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Five 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm ( 1.000")
  • Width: 17mm (0.680")
  • Thickness:  6.5mm (0.250")

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Six 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm ( 1.000")
  • Width: 17mm (0.680")
  • Thickness:  6.5mm (0.250")

TCS DP5X

Top View.

Bottom View.

The TH150DP decoder is designed as a direct Plug N' Play to fit many different HO/OO scale locomotives. There is no wire harness. No soldering required. Installation is very easy. Plug decoder directly into the locomotive's DCC socket.   

• Electronic Specifications:
  • 1.3 amp Motor drive rating
  • 2.0 amp peak load
  • Five 100mA function outputs
    
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm ( 1.000")
  • Width: 21mm (0.845")
  • Thickness:  4mm (0.165")

Mounting Notes For US Locos. Click Here.

Important features:

• miniature low profile wire harness with six 7" wires.
• Decoder lock feature, an industry first by TCS, allows you to lock out this decoder while making changes to the engine decoder with the same address.
   
• Electronic Specifications:
  • Two light functions
  • Each rated 250ma continuous
     
• Size:
  • Length: 25.5mm ( 1.000")
  • Width: 16.5mm (0.650")
  • Thickness:  5mm (0.160")

Features:

• Auto detect allows operation on DCC only or DCC and DC power. TCS decoders are almost transparent on DC making the engine act like a decoder isn't there. Brake on DC allows you to control the lights while the train is in a DC block.
• Lighting Effects: Auto reversing headlights Blinking Ditch Lights, Mars, Gyra, Rotary Beacon, Single and Double Pulse Strobe, Opposite Dim, Flashing and Random flicker. Rule 17 headlight dimming can be set to occur when stopped, opposite the direction of travel, or both. You always have manual control.
  Button Control allows you to pick the control buttons of your choice.
• Factory Reset lets you change most of your choices back to their factory default values if you get into a situation you don't like.
• Primary 2 digit addressing or advanced 4 digit addressing may be used.
• Consist Addressing has a Special Feature allowing you to automatically turn off any undesired lighting when you add the engine to a consist.

• Electronic Specifications:
  • Four light functions
  • Each rated 200ma.
     
• Size:
  • Length: 14mm (0.570")
  • Width: 9mm (0.355")
  • Thickness:  3.5mm (0.132")

• Electronic Specifications:
  • Four light functions
  • Each rated 200ma.
     
• Size:
  • Length: 14mm (0.570")
  • Width: 9mm (0.355")
  • Thickness:  3.5mm (0.132")

Specifications: The VR1.5 works with 8 to 20 volts input. Output rating is 1.5 volts at 120ma maximum. Recommended input is 13 volts.

• This is how to hook up the VR1.5.

   

  • Explanation of wires:

  • The VR1.5 plugs into the auxiliary connector of the T series decoder as shown. The blue and black with white stripe wires are the power being supplied to the VR1.5.  The blue wire coming from the T4X to the VR1.5 is the positive 12 volts to power the VR1.5.  The black with white stripe coming from the T4X to the VR1.5 is the negative also known as ground or common wire.

  • The tan wire is positive 1.5 volt power coming out of the VR1.5.  It is the 1.5 volt supply that is connected to one side of all the 1.5 volt bulbs. The other side of the bulbs are connect as normal to the decoder function leads. This picture shows function wires one and two (green and violet)  connected and being powered by the VR1.5

  • If the VR1.5 is to be operated at its maximum rated capacity of 120ma it is recommended to place the VR1.5 against the metal chassis of the locomotive for additional heat sink. The VR1.5 does get warm under normal operating conditions. It is recommended to keep it away from contact with plastic parts of the locomotive shell.

  • Other notes: The additional wires on the auxiliary connector are as follows. There are two blue wires in the auxiliary harness that connects to the auxiliary connector of the T series decoder. These blue wires are both positive 12 volt supply and are the same as the blue wire on the main connector on the front side of the decoder. They can be used the same way as the blue on the main connector. They are additional blue 12 volt power wires that can be used for hook up of 12 volt bulbs. The green with black stripe wire on the auxiliary connector is for future use. The brown and pink wires are used for function outputs three and four when used with the six function T6X decoder.  They are not used for the T1 or T4X decoders.

Back EMF. 

All TCS decoders have a built in type of BEMF.  It is different then conventional type of BEMF.  It works automatically. There is no adjustment CV. Many people like how TCS decoders will smoothly go down hills with heavy train load pushing and not run away but maintain even speed. In fact many of our customers have told us that TCS decoders have the best performance of any decoder in this regard.

In addition, all TCS decoders have “Dither” which is adjustable. Dither has similar effects as “BEMF”. It can be best described is being like “pulse power” on a conventional DC power pack. With Dither you adjust the frequency of the pulses at CV56. Adjust the amplitude of the pulses at CV57. With Dither and built in BEMF you have the best control available from any decoder.

Quiet Drive:

Quiet Drive is for smooth and quiet motor performance.  All TCS decoders currently have the Quiet Drive feature.

Dither.  What is Dither?

Dithers are used at low speeds to help overcome the restriction of locomotive mechanics.  It provides better and smoother low speed performance.  It is similar to a start volt but not the same.  Dithers give an additional higher voltage pulse to the normal motor output voltage.  The effect is similar to adding pulse power on conventional DC power packs.  Dither are especially helpful on locomotives that have high starting friction.

There are two parameter that control the operation of a Dither in TCS Decoder.  Program the frequency of the additional pulse by putting a value in CV56.  A value of 1 will give the highest frequency of 30 additional pulses per second.  The higher the number (ranging from 1 to 255) the lower the frequency.  We recommend to try starting with a value of 5.  The practical range for CV56 is 1 to 10.

CV57 control the amplitude of the Dither's pulses, again valid values range from 1 to 255.  (1 being the lowest voltage and 255 being the highest voltage)  We recommend to try starting with a value of 25 or 30 for CV57.  The practical range for CV57 are values of 5 through 50.

When giving CV57 a value of 0, the Dither is disabled.  Dithers will be automatically cut off and not used above 21% of full speed.  It can be used in addition to start volt, kick start, and/or by itself.  Factory default for CV57 is 0, CV57 will also be reset to 0 when using when using factory reset feature.

Factory reset feature can be enabled by setting CV30 or CV8 with a value of 2, then turning the power off and then back on.

Try experimenting with Dithers to achieve better low speed operation.  The effect will narrow the window between what point the locomotive starts move and at what point it will stay running.

New X Features. 

Two additional new features are now  added to the "X" series beginning January 2005. 

     Some customers have said the alternating rate that the ditch lights blink back and forth was a bit too fast so we made it adjustable. A value of one in CV117 sets the slowest rate. A value of 12 in CV117 sets the fastest rate.  This is a very nice feature! The prototype varies from one railroad to another particularly depending on what equipment and brand of loco is in service. Now you can adjust to your liking!

     The button control of the motor feature is improved too allow full range power setting adjustment.   A value from zero to 255 in CV133 sets the power applied to the motor when the motor circuit is used in button control mode. One useful feature of this is to use this when doing loco switching.  The speed setting can be set for a good loco switching speed and then with a single button you can change the direction or stop the loco without adjusting the throttle.

The following are standard "X" Series features.

Adjustable dim is used to set the intensity level of a LED (light emitting  diode) or bulb when using a dimmed lighting effect like "Rule 17"or  "Opposite Dim".  This is a great  feature for use with the new golden white or bright white LED'S used for locomotive headlights.   LED'S and incandescent bulbs are different in the intensity level when used in the dimmed condition. This is not a problem with TCS "Adjustable Dim".  Adjust CV64 value to a number between 2 and 30.  A value of 2 produces the most dimming. A value of 30 produces almost no dim. A value of  2 to 6 in CV64 works great for LED'S.  A value of 16 in CV64 works good for incandescent bulbs. 

Three point adjustable acceleration and deceleration curve.  There are now three acceleration and deceleration  values that are used. Each value is assigned a speed reference at which it is active. This means there are a total of six CV's for adjusting acceleration and deceleration.  Acceleration and deceleration can be adjusted independently of each other.  The advantage is to obtain slower acceleration rates starting from stop. As speed picks up, the rate of acceleration increases. You are "stretching" the beginning point of acceleration. You can achieve more prototypical acceleration and deceleration curves. No longer limited to a simple straight line rate.

Improved, more prototypical  Ditch light operation. Ditch lights now fade off as they alternately blink. They slowly diminish in there intensity never quite going off completely. They are very prototypical now in there operation.

Ditch light button mapping. You can now select which button operates the the alternate blinking of the ditch lights. Previously it was either button two or five. Now you select and assign from buttons 0-6.

Improved MARS light. We gave the MARS a smoother and more prototype look. We did not stop there. You have a group of 5 CV's that can be adjusted to obtain the look that you like best.

Improved Rotary Beacon. It also has a group of 5 CV's to adjust the style of the beacon.  Give it the look of a fast moving dual reflector beacon or a slower single reflector.

Decoder lock comes as a standard feature. When CV15=CV16 decoder is unlocked or when CV15=0

Rule 17 button mapping. You can now select which button operates Rule 17 dimming. Previously it was only button 4.  Now you select and assign from buttons 0-6.

Button control of the motor.  This allows button 2 or 3 to control the motor as if it were a function button. It can be configured for auto reversing operation or manual direction control.  This has many interesting uses. The motor drive can then be used for things like smoke units. Rotary coal dumpers. Even for operating directional marker lights in a caboose. 

Momentary pulse.  An adjustable one shot pulse is is available on function one and two.  Useful for things like uncoupling or activation of a sound module.

Complete re map ability. Function zero can be mapped to buttons 0 thru 6. Functions 1 thru 5 can be mapped to any button 0-12.

Function Re-Mapping:

Outputs can be reassigned to different control buttons.  Outputs can also be controlled by more than one function button.  See Function Re-mapping for more detailed information about this topic.

For TH120DP re-map rear headlights control from function 0 to function 1 or 4.  Set bit 0 of CV61.  To set this bit, write a value of 1 to CV61.  (How to Set a Bit to a CV)  Remap the rear headlights to function 1 and function 4 control with decoder versions 7 and up.

Easy Reset CVs':

This is how to reset decoders (version 8 and up) to their factory default value.  To see what version your decoder is, just look at the value for CV7.

To reset CV's:

1. On programming track, write a value of 2 into CV30 or CV8.

2. The decoder must now go through a power down, power up cycle.

3. The reset will take effect upon power up.

Note:  Writing to CV8 doesn't actually change the value in CV8, because it is a read only register.  When writing to CV8, it will write to CV30.  This enables a factory reset with command stations that use physical register programming, like the MRC 2000 Command and the Atlas Commander.

CV's that will reset to factory default:   1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 17, 18, 19, 29, 30, 49, 50, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, and  61.  User loadable speed table is not effected by the reset.