Need help interrogating some decoders
- End2end
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Need help interrogating some decoders
Could some kind forum member help me please? I am looking for some help to identify some decoders I have.
Basically I need help from someone with a decent DCC system to interrogate these decoders to find out -
A) If they work.
B) What they actually are.
And also if possible -
C) Reset all decoders back to 3.
D) Reset all decoders back to thier defaults.
Manufacturer and model number are the main things I need to know then I can then identify their characteristics.
They are two 4 pin decoders with (female) sockets on the end and an 8 pin decoder with 8 pin (male) board.
I only have the budget Bachmann EZ command DCC controller which can't do these things.
I can post them to you with a prepaid envelope inside to post them back once the tests / resets have been done.
If you can help please pm me.
Thanks in advance.
End2end
Basically I need help from someone with a decent DCC system to interrogate these decoders to find out -
A) If they work.
B) What they actually are.
And also if possible -
C) Reset all decoders back to 3.
D) Reset all decoders back to thier defaults.
Manufacturer and model number are the main things I need to know then I can then identify their characteristics.
They are two 4 pin decoders with (female) sockets on the end and an 8 pin decoder with 8 pin (male) board.
I only have the budget Bachmann EZ command DCC controller which can't do these things.
I can post them to you with a prepaid envelope inside to post them back once the tests / resets have been done.
If you can help please pm me.
Thanks in advance.
End2end
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- End2end
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
Thanks Peterm but I need more specifics than that.
If anyone can help with either the 4 pin or 8 pin decoders (or both) testing/identifying please can you pm me.
I need to make sure what they are and that they work 100% which can only really be done with a full DCC system.
Thanks
End2end

If anyone can help with either the 4 pin or 8 pin decoders (or both) testing/identifying please can you pm me.
I need to make sure what they are and that they work 100% which can only really be done with a full DCC system.
Thanks
End2end
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- luckymucklebackit
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
I could shine a bright light at them and shout in a loud voice "Ve haff vays of making you talk swinehund"
Oh sorry not that kind of interrogation.....
Oh sorry not that kind of interrogation.....

This Signature Left Intentionally Blank, but since I have written this and I intended to do it, this Signature is intentionally not blank. Paradox or What?
My layout - Gateside and Northbridge

My layout - Gateside and Northbridge

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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
luckymucklebackit wrote:I could shine a bright light at them and shout in a loud voice "Ve haff vays of making you talk swinehund"
Oh sorry not that kind of interrogation.....
Ooh.... you sounded just like Junker or Merkal then.

Not sure what you'd call it except interrogation? To dig deep into the chips settings to see what it actually is using a DCC controller.
Thanks
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- Roger (RJ)
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
If you could post pictures, I'm sure we'd be able to identify them at least.
The four pin decoders will almost certainly be Hornby. They are the only 4 pin ones that I have ever seen or heard of.
The four pin decoders will almost certainly be Hornby. They are the only 4 pin ones that I have ever seen or heard of.
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
Thanks Roger. Good idea.
... but....Oh rear end!
I just went to take the photos and relised I've left the camera in the car which is at work with Mrs End2end.
I'll do it later today.
In the meantime can I ask about these 4pin decoders (I say 4 PIN but in fact it more like a 4 hole socket).
Does anyone know of the item number for 4 pin Hornby decoders?
Did Hornby make more than one 4 pin decoder and if so did they all have different item numbers?
When did Hornby release 4 pin decoders / How old would these decoders be?
As it's suggested that only Hornby released 4 pin decoders, were these for specific locos and are there loco's around now that can use these or am I stuck with a couple of white elephants?
I have no paperwork with the 3 decoders and unable to test or check what they are with the EZ command thus the plea for help from someone with a full DCC controller and perhaps both 4 and 8 pin socketed loco's.
If someone can only test/inquire/reset the two 4 pin decoders or only the 8 pin, either would be useful.
I intend to sell them so need to know about them and wether they work.
Thanks
End2end


I just went to take the photos and relised I've left the camera in the car which is at work with Mrs End2end.

I'll do it later today.
In the meantime can I ask about these 4pin decoders (I say 4 PIN but in fact it more like a 4 hole socket).
Does anyone know of the item number for 4 pin Hornby decoders?
Did Hornby make more than one 4 pin decoder and if so did they all have different item numbers?
When did Hornby release 4 pin decoders / How old would these decoders be?
As it's suggested that only Hornby released 4 pin decoders, were these for specific locos and are there loco's around now that can use these or am I stuck with a couple of white elephants?
I have no paperwork with the 3 decoders and unable to test or check what they are with the EZ command thus the plea for help from someone with a full DCC controller and perhaps both 4 and 8 pin socketed loco's.
If someone can only test/inquire/reset the two 4 pin decoders or only the 8 pin, either would be useful.
I intend to sell them so need to know about them and wether they work.
Thanks
End2end
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- End2end
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
Here are the pictures.
First off all 3 decoders, one 8 pin deocoder and both the 4 pin (socket?) decoders showing both sides. (the 4 pin decoders both seem to be the same.)
I cannot be sure if the tape on the 8 pin is supposed to be there.
And here is a close up of one of the 4pin decoders.
Thanks
End2end
First off all 3 decoders, one 8 pin deocoder and both the 4 pin (socket?) decoders showing both sides. (the 4 pin decoders both seem to be the same.)
I cannot be sure if the tape on the 8 pin is supposed to be there.
And here is a close up of one of the 4pin decoders.
Thanks
End2end
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- Roger (RJ)
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
The 4 pin ones are Hornby decoders and quite old by the look of it.
I can't identify the 8 pin one with the covering on but would guess Hornby by the style of plug.
I can't identify the 8 pin one with the covering on but would guess Hornby by the style of plug.
Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
Hi
The 4 pin one might be the Horby X9659 made for their Peckett and Sentinels
The other one will need it's covering removed for a visual I'D.
Paul
The 4 pin one might be the Horby X9659 made for their Peckett and Sentinels
The other one will need it's covering removed for a visual I'D.
Paul
Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
The white dot on the MCU indicates it is an early R8215 which cannot be interrogated. Later versions with a red dot can ne interrogated in Reg mode if your controller supports it.
The 8-pin is harder to ID hidden in its blanket. We need the full Monty.
Rob
The 8-pin is harder to ID hidden in its blanket. We need the full Monty.
Rob
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
Hmm. I'm not sure then wether the 4pin ones are R8215s or X9659s.
Is there any way by sight to tell the difference?
Here's both sides of the 8pin decoder with the tape removed.
Thanks
End2end

Is there any way by sight to tell the difference?
Here's both sides of the 8pin decoder with the tape removed.
Thanks
End2end
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- Roger (RJ)
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
The only difference between the 8 pin an 4 pin decoders is the number of wires that it has. So X9659 is the same decoder as the R8215/R8249 just with a different plug and wires.
These old decoders are only fit for the bin imho although the blue dot ones may be usable.
These old decoders are only fit for the bin imho although the blue dot ones may be usable.
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Re: Need help interrogating some decoders
OK so I have two R8215's and one R8249. Excellent. Thanks members.
Now, does anyone have the facility to test they all work and reset them to 3 for me?
Thanks
End2end

Now, does anyone have the facility to test they all work and reset them to 3 for me?

Thanks
End2end
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