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Guide to DCC Stationary Decoders
by Don Fiehmann
More and more modelers are converting layouts from DC to DCC operation. DCC not only lets you independently control locomotives using mobile decoders, but you can also independently control switch machines (turnout motors) with Accessory or Stationary Decoders. If you are going to install new switch machines or convert old machines to DCC there are many decisions to make. Which Stationary Decoders match up with a specific switch machine, is extra power needed?
There are two basic types of switch machines. First is the older twin coil or solenoid type machine. The second is the motor driven switch machine. In the twin coil category there are the high current machines and medium to low current types. The motor types consist of stall type and also the cut off type, that cuts off the power when at the end of travel. Stationary decoders vary in the type of machine that they work with the best.
Below is a table of some of the popular switch machines and their types. These categories will be used below to match up the switch machine with the preferred stationary decoders.
Some stationary decoders are designed to either drive a particular type of switch machine, some are programmable and can match many types of switch machines. The power for the decoders to operate the switch machines can be either from the DCC track power to the decoder or from a separate power source, or both.
Motor driven machines need low power. Stall type machines need a constant power. The twin-coil machines need high power for a short time.
| Motor Driven |
Twin Coil |
| Stall Type | Power Cut Off | Low to Medium | High Current |
| (Type A1) | Type (Type A2) | Current (Type B1) | (Type B2) |
| Tortoise™ | PFM, Scale | Atlas | Rix, NJI |
| Switch Master | Shops | Peco | Tenshodo |
Stationary Decoder and Switch Machine Compatibility
| Type |
Digitrax |
Lenz |
DCC Specialties |
NCE |
T. Digital |
| Stationary Decoder | DS 44 | DS52 | DS64 | LS 100 | LS 150 | Hare | Wabbit | Switch-it/8 | Snap-it | Switch-Kat | SMD8 |
| Switch motor Type A1 | Yes | Yes | Yes | OK | Yes | Tortoise™ | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Switch Motor Type A2 | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No |
| Twin Coil Type B1 | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Twin Coil Type B2 | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No | Yes |
| Kato or LGB | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
Stationary Decoder Comparison:
The table below gives a quick comparison of the various features and capabilities of some of the popular stationary decoders and significant differences among the various models. Stationary decoder selection should be based on your intended application. There may be a “best choice” for certain functions, but generally no stationary decoder is “one size fits all”.
| Decoder |
Basic Data |
Output Types Available |
Prg. Modes |
Specials |
|
Size (Inches) |
MSRP |
Outputs |
Address Range |
Cab Bus Feedback |
Plug’n' Play |
Separate Pwr Input |
Type of Output (1) |
Variable Pulse |
Contin’s |
Alternate Flash |
Program Method |
Specials (3) |
| DCC Spec. The Hare |
1.5 X 2.8 |
$29.95 |
1 |
1 - 2044 |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
SM (2) |
No |
Yes |
No |
Jumper |
Yes |
| DCC Spec. Wabbit | 2.75 x 1.37 | $29.95 | 2 | 1 - 2044 | Yes | No | No | SM | No | Yes | No | Jumper | Yes |
| Digitrax DS44 |
1.63 X 0.69 |
$39.99 |
4 |
1 - 2044 |
No |
No |
No |
SM |
No |
Yes |
No |
Wire |
No |
| Digitrax DS52 | 2.0 X 1.75 | $24.99 | 2 | 1 - 2044 | No | No | No | PR | Fix’d Only | Yes | No | Jumper | No |
| Digitrax DS54 (4) |
4.0 X 2.7 |
$79.99 |
4 |
1 - 396 |
Yes |
No |
Optional |
PR |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Jumper |
No |
| Digitrax DS64 (4) | 4.7 X 3.4 | $59.99 | 4 | 1 - 2048 | Yes | No | Optional | PR | Yes | Yes | Yes | Button | No |
| Lenz LS100 |
3.5 X 3.5 |
$79.00 |
4 |
1 - 1024 |
Yes |
No |
Optional |
PR |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Button |
No |
| Lenz LS150 | 4.7X2.4 | $49.95 | 6 | 1 - 1024 | No | No | Yes | PR | Yes | No | No | Button | No |
| NCE Switch-It |
2.1 X 1.3 |
$24.95 |
2 |
1 - 2044 |
Req. AIU-01 |
No |
No |
ST |
No |
Yes |
No |
Jumper |
No |
| NCE Switch-8 | 3.5 X 2.38 | $59.95 | 8 | 1 - 2044 | Yes | No | Yes | SM | Yes | Yes | No | Jumper | No |
| NCE Snap-It |
1.8 X 1.5 |
$19.95 |
1 |
1 - 2044 |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
TC |
Yes |
No |
No |
Jumper |
No |
| NCE Switch Kat | 2.45 X 1.03 | $24.95 | 2 | 1 - 2044 | Yes | No | No | Special | Yes | Yes | No | Jumper | No |
| Team Digital SMD8 |
3.25 x 4.25 |
$89.95 |
8 |
1 - 2040 |
Req. SRC8 |
No |
No |
PR |
Variable |
Yes |
No |
Jumper |
No |
(1) SM = Stall Motor, TC = Twin Coil, PR = Programable for either; (2) Plugs into a Tortoise; (3) Specials include Auto Throw, Auto Return, Smart Default, Lock-Block, Locked Route Control, Switch Speed Control, Semaphore Operations, and others. |
