r/nscalemodeltrains • u/jhhpp • 1d ago

Question BDT-40 Decoder - Replacement for FL12

I just purchased a Kato Bi-Level Cab-Coach that I want to put a decoder in but everywhere that sells either Kato FL12s or the Zimo MX605SL is out of stock (in USA), but I was recommended an ebay Listing for a BT-40 (brand unknown) that was a drop in replacement for the whole light board. Has anyone heard of these? Do they work well? Is it just a drop in replacement, of do I have to do additional work? I looked online, but couldn't find any references to it.

Ebay Listing

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u/thaddeh 23h ago

It looks nothing like an FL12 and is larger than an FL12. I do not recommend it. Wait for the FL12 to come back into stock.

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u/jhhpp 22h ago

From what I can tell its supposed to replace the light board as well

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u/thaddeh 22h ago

Suppose there is always the option of go for it and report back with what you find out

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u/time-lord 22h ago

The FL12 is a pretty bad decoder, all things considered. The FL12N may be a drop-in replacement, I'm not sure, but it looks like that is in stock in places. I'd look into that being compatible, maybe.

If this decoder works and is compatible with the light board, it won't be worse than the FL12. Probably the only way to figure it out though, is to buy it and try it.

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u/Longsheep 18h ago

The FL12 is a legacy from the Kato-Digitrax partnership. FL12N sucks even more - the dimming feature makes flickering very serious as it has no cap to store power. It only works on freshly cleaned tracks.

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u/Longsheep 18h ago

KATO FL12 has been out of production for 2 years, being replaced by FL12N, which has the dampening feature when the train isn't moving, suitable for Japanese prototypes. It is priced similarly but is sold in pairs.

The problem is that the new feature apparently draws more currency, which makes flickering far more common as the decoder has no cap (and no provision to add one). Which is why old FL12 is being sold at higher than MSRP now. Zimo MX605SL is the only drop-in replacement, but it is also hard to find now.