How is a LGB Mogul identified as having DCC MTS decoders built in at the factory? I am looking at buying another one and I want to make sure that I am getting one with factory installed decoders.
From the exterior, without opening it or testing on a DCC programming track?
I think you need to have a certain sticker, but you need an LGB expert. Is this new or used?
This is the only sticker I know that means one is installed (as opposed to “DCC ready”)
Greg
Yes From the exterior, without opening it or testing on a DCC programming track. There is a round sticker on the one I have now which I am hoping is an indication that there is a decoder installed at the factory.
Look on this page and see if it helps:
http://www.elmassian.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=584&Itemid=713
It has pictures of all the stickers I have seen. Note again that the only sticker that indicates that a decoder is inside is the one I posted, as far as I know.
Greg
Thanks Greg that helps a lot.
So the DCCed ones aren’t a different part/model number?
I’m not an expert, I do not believe that the part number always changes, or a letter suffix applies.
I have seen a sticker on the box, and sometimes a sticker on the loco.
Greg
If you have a DCC system, just place the engine on a DCC track.
My test track has an on-off switch and a 30 ohm resistor in series with the track. Limits current to under 1 amp but I can still address decoders.
DC only would have front and rear lights on and a buzzing motor with no motion.
DCC version would just sit there and never have both front and rear lights on at the same time.
Also, LGB decoders can be reset with cv 55 set t0 55. (cv 8 would be 123 for Massoth/LGB)
Dan, that would be difficult when buying one online or long distance.
Yes this is for me to know if something I am looking at online, at a show or whatever is already equipped with DCC or not.
Yep, that’s why the first post responding to the OP asked about telling without opening or testing.
Dan, you know better than to not at least read the beginning of the thread ha ha!
(we love you Dan, just have to rib you a bit).
Greg
The MZS sticker also denotes LGB digital installed, but these days with older engines being sold, it is difficult to tell if original electronics is still inside and if run on DC are all the features still working.
I bought a 20900.2 engine and this unit did have an onboard MTS non sound decoder. This engine was originally sold in a MTS set and was sold by a reseller at a show. It ran on DC and looked new so I bought it not knowing it was digital. It did have the MZS sticker which I did not know about at the time i bought this engine.
Well Dan as it turns out the original electronics is missing fro the engine I recently bought on e-bay. The engine is supposed to come with DCC but the seller is only a re-seller of estate items and he wasn’t able to test the unit for me. He did accept a much lower price than he was looking for so the risk was worth taking.
So Dan do you have the LGB DCC controller board I can buy?
I took the LGB DCC controller board out of my other Mogul, changed the switches on the power board and the new engine ran fine. I could not make the Whistle or Bell sound from the remote controller but all of the other functions did work remotely.
There are different boards in different Mogul models. Please post model number of engines and I can check the print for decoder type.
Did the board have the on board LGB decoder with the metal plate that slid in the firebox?
The bottom of this plate is used for the SUSI sound module which plugs in the red 4 pin socket. I ask as Trainli does stock this board and it is very important to verify CV49 and 50 and 56 for light/smoke voltage settings before running the engine.
This is the number of the most recent purchased Mogul I purchased that I need to add an MTS DCC controller to.
This is how the engine arrived
[URL=http://s877.photobucket.com/user/eldemya/media/20160910_133648_zpsgjpr0pn3.jpg.html]
The MTS DCC controller from my other Mogul is already connected in this picture
This is the MTS DCC control board I used from my other Mogul to test on the recent one that works.
Yep that sticker with the 6 does means the 6 wire interface inside.
What model decoder is that one in the last picture?
Greg
Greg that is out of my other LGB Mogul I bought used on eBay a couple of years ago that came with MTS DCC so I am expecting it to be an LGB board.
LGB stickers regards MTS/decoder install status.
ref. http://www.allaboutlgb.com/lgb%20decoder%20installation.html
ex. my marklin/lgb 21670 has #5 which states ‘analog and digital’ (similiar to g.e. sample pic)
And as I thought your ‘6 white dots on black’ sticker, does not indicate a factory-installed decoder but a 6 pin interface-ready for appropriate decoder !
Also referencing this forum pg. ; http://www.gscalenews.com/information/lgb-production-date , and if i read your loco’s gold sticker correctly 001020 (?), your loco was probably ‘born’ Feb. 2000 !
Regards LGB prod. numbers ref.;
http://theworldoflgb.blogspot.ca/2010/12/lgb-product-numbers.html
doug c
p.s. and i’m also definitely no lgb specialist, just find a lot of info online,
if (lucky) inputting the correct keywords in google.ca 
Looking at the pictures the 55027 can be used but needs rewiring.
Matt said he has the 55020, but he did not say if it was the Lenz version or Massoth version. Lenz has theiuir name in etch on the decoder.
All 55020 decoders do not support Back emf, but the pin compatible 55021 does support bemf and 28 speed steps.
And there are many firmware versions of the 55020 by both manufacturers, the higher the v number the more capability the decoder has. Lenz 55020 v1.1 is the worst of the bunch, but all the 55021 decoders are great.
Thank you everyone for your input and assistance with my issue. I am glad to have this group to lean on. I would also like to Thank Dan for his extended help, he and the crew at Train Li are the best!
Based on information Dan provided me I was able to get the proper decoder and interface cable from another vendor.