DCC in LifeLike GP18

[central.vermont]

I need to know if anyone has put a Digitrax DN163L0A into a DCC ready LifeLike chassis.
The DN163L0A is designed to go into the LifeLike GP20. They do state that it may go into
similar loco's but I want to be sure before I pull the trigger on ordering a couple.

I went onto Spookshows site and there appears to be some minor differences between the
two when I look at the shots he has of the chassis.

GP20
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/files/llgp20dcc.jpg

GP18
http://www.spookshow.net/loco/files/llgp18mech3.JPG


Thanks, Jon

[Steveruger45]

 I haven’t got these but on the digitrax site using their digitrax decoder selector it says it does.
As per link for decoder selector and attached pdf of what I found.
http://www.digitrax.com/products/engine-matrix/decoder/ [ Guests cannot view attachments ]
Hope this helps.

[central.vermont]

Thanks, I read this too Steve but was hoping for someone that may have actually installed it into a GP18 chassis.

Jon

[Steveruger45]

Good Morning Jon
Glad you also knew about  digitrax  decoder selector tool on their website.
Sorry I can’t be of more help but FWIW, to me at least I would risk it and order one. Digitrax does say it fits the 2011 LL GP18 and looking also at spookshow photos and digitrax photos of the actual decoder I can’t see any reason it wouldn’t fit.  You could give digitrax a call or use their  help desk and ask if no one here can assist.
What I did notice was if your loco is post 2008 and pre 2011  digitrax recommends a similar but different decoder and some minor frame mods for which they have posted some instructions as well.
Good luck.

Come on guys surely someone here has actually done this to help advise.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

The third generation GP18 uses a second generation GP20 chassis. If you have DCC ready GP18, they do use the same as the GP20.

[nickelplate759]

1st generation GP18 models require a hard-wired decoder - something a simple as a Digitrax DZ126 would work. You might have to trim the rear lead weight to get the decoder to fit, but that's easy.