Decoder Installation By Roger James, Otter Valley Railroad

1. Decoder InstallationBy Roger James, Otter Valley Railroad So you decided to install a DCC decoder, tips and tricks!!

2. What is the Loco? • Is the loco worth the DCC decoder? • Issues with reworking the drive? • For example: • An older Athearn Blue Box loco might be questionable for installation due to the work.

3. What do you want to do? • The more functions, the more options • Basic Decoders – standard 2 functions • High End Decoders – as many as 8 functions • What is a function? • Additional lighting or accessory options • Ditch lights, strobe light, Mars light, number boards, fire box, etc.

4. Decoder Selection • Amp to motor • Size of location in the shell • Hardwire, plug in play, solder in board • Sound or Non sound decoder • Replace lights? • Issues with 1.5 v bulbs, suggest 12v led’s • How much do you want to spend? • Prices range from $20.99 to high $40’s

5. Pre Test Engine • Does the engine move? • Check lights –Why? • It helps during installation • Test on a DC track.

6. Pre Wiring Research • Review the installation guide for the decoder, ie. NCE N13sr • Manufacturer’s website for additional reference material • Youtube video’s on installations • Local modeling group • Is there is no stupid question!!

7. Removing the Shell • Sometimes the hardest part. • Refer to the loco’s instruction manual • General tips • Proto’s have 8 screws to remove • Kato’s - couplers to remove • Atlas - couplers and occasional frame screw • Athearn – couplers and body screws

8. Hard Wire Decoders • Solder the colour coded wires • Follow the instructions • Engineer sit on the right side • Front light go to Front headlight • At the bare wire joints, cover with heat shrink tubing, found at “A Counter Parts”

9. Plug in Play • Remove the dummy plug • Plug in 8 pin or 9 pin decoder • Snap shell back on and program

10. Solder in Boards • Recommended over hardwire decoders • Less work to install and generally saves space, then milling away weight • Follow instructions with decoder instructions • Tricks • Kato’s have 4 side wires coming to the board, do not solder them. • The older Kato’s solder the metal clips

11. Installation Tips • Keep the wire away from moving parts • Use electrical tape to keep the wires in place • Leave yourself enough wire incase a wire breaks or needs to be re-soldered. • Place your shrink tubing in place before you solder the open joints.

12. Additional Functions Installation • Use LED’s as mentioned • Set all additional function wiring in place. • Most loco’s will need housing made for ditchlights or modifications to light panels

13. Put the Shell Back On!!

14. Testing the Loco • Place on the test track with D.C. power pack • Check lights and movement • No movement, the decoder is wired wrong!!

15. Programming the Decoder • MAKE YOURSELF A GOOD PROGRAMMING TRACK!! • Place on programming track • Set system to programming, Digitrax flip a system • NCE on the throttle, depending the system used

16. Decoder Fails • What’s wrong? • Either the decoder is defective • Wired wrong and can not be read • A wire is loose • Decoder blew up, which is not uncommon with Athearn switchers with small decoders.

17. Programming Issues • My loco is not responding? • First thing is find the manual and refer to the last page of the decoder installation and look for the reset Configuration Variable • Digitrax – CV 8 value 8 • Lok – CV 8 value 8 • NCE CV 30 value 2

18. Everything Works • The loco should respond to Address 03, the standard NMRA default address • Modifying CV’s can be tricky • Use either the programmer track or on the main • Other options are Decoder Pro, or Lok Programmer if it’s a Lok Pilot decoder

19. Questions??? Thanks, Otter Valley Railroad