Decoder Installation By Roger James, Otter Valley Railroad So you decided to install a DCC decoder, tips and tricks!!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Put the Shell Back On!!

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

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

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

Programming Issues My loco is not responding? 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 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 Digitrax – CV 8 value 8 Lok – CV 8 value 8 Lok – CV 8 value 8 NCE CV 30 value 2 NCE CV 30 value 2

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

Questions??? Thanks, Otter Valley Railroad