Decoder InstallationDecoder Installation

Tips and Techniques I Have Found to Work for Me

YOU Can Do This!

Topics We Will Cover Topics We Will Cover Types of Decoders

Current Rating and Selection

Decoder Form Factors

Typical Decoders

Tools Needed Tools Needed

Useful Supplies

Engine Preparation

Decoder Selection

Installation Preparation

Installation

Types of DecodersTypes of Decoders

Motor Simplest – two wires to decoder and two to motor.

Two to lights minimum, some up to six effects

Sound OnlyLow cost way to add sound to existing DCC Low cost way to add sound to existing DCC engine

Sound and Motor Larger package

Speaker – two additional wires

Advanced lighting features

Current Rating & SelectionCurrent Rating & Selection

Decoder rating must exceed motor stall current

Most HO engines will work with 1 amp

Can use .75 amp if necessary. in small Can use .75 amp if necessary. in small HO engines (May require heat sink)

Soundtraxx makes small steam rated at .75 amp

One amp or higher is the norm anymore

Decoder Style or Form FactorDecoder Style or Form Factor

Light board Replacement

Simple to mount

Some soldering required

Takes less space than plug in

May need to change light bulbs to May need to change light bulbs to match voltage

Made to fit specific engines, but can be installed in a variety of engines (With some preparation)

Decoder Style or Form Factor Decoder Style or Form Factor (cont)(cont)

Light Board ReplacementLight Board Replacement

Decoder Style or Form FactorDecoder Style or Form Factor (cont)(cont)

Universal Decoder

More challenging in some ways

May require splicing wires

Have to tame wires

Most versatileMost versatile

Will work in most any engine situation

Made for non DCC ready engines

Good when lack of space is issue (more flexible decoder location)

Decoder Style or Form Factor Decoder Style or Form Factor (cont)(cont)

UniversalUniversal

Decoder Style or Form Factor Decoder Style or Form Factor (cont)(cont)

Plug InPlug In

Easiest to install

Uses existing light board

May not fit in some cases

You can add plug to any hard wired decoder, but all functions may not work

Decoder Style or Form Factor Decoder Style or Form Factor (cont)(cont)

Plug InPlug In

Typical DecodersTypical Decoders

TSU 1000 TSU 1000 Sound NCE D13SRP (1.3 – 2.0 amp)

TSU AT1000 Sound TCS T1 (1.3 – 2.0 amp)

Typical Decoders (cont)Typical Decoders (cont)

NCE SW9-SR NCE D15-SRP

NCE DA-SR NCE N12SR

Tools NeededTools Needed

Small soldering iron - 25 watt preferred

Needle nose pliers

Wire cutter and striper

X-Acto knife, small screwdrivers, etc. X-Acto knife, small screwdrivers, etc.

Volt/Ohm meter

Engine cradle

“Helping Hands” (optional, but useful)

Some Useful SuppliesSome Useful Supplies Small diameter rosin core solder Small diameter shrink tubing Kapton or electrical tape (with reservations)

Other Styrene and 3M™ foam mounting tape Styrene and 3M™ foam mounting tape Flexible wire in 24-32 ga. in suitable colors Aliene’s Tacky Glue Tacky Putty Dental Floss Sub miniature plugs LEDs, Assorted resistors, etc.

Engine PreparationEngine Preparation

Test run on DC to make sure it runs properly It will not run better on DCC

Check Stall Current at Max Voltage Remove couplers and screws needed to remove shell

Place shell and loose parts aside Place shell and loose parts aside Is engine “DCC ready?” This term has different meanings. Sometimes engine has a plug other times it just means the motor brushes are insulated from the frame

Remove factory lighting board (If not needed)

Check motor to insure brushes are isolated from the frame and trucks.

Determine decoder mounting method Plug in decoder Light board replacement (often engine specific) but can be adapted… Universal decoder“Plug in” decoder

Decoder SelectionDecoder Selection

“Plug in” decoder Should have 8 or 9 pin plug Need to match decoder and engine plugs

No soldering requiredUse existing lighting

Installation PreparationInstallation Preparation

Does the engine have bulbs or LEDs

Does the decoder have the proper output for selected lights bulbs/LEDs?

If the decoder is not ready for LEDs prepare them by adding a suitable resistor (470Ω to 2KΩ+ usually work). Increasing the value will decrease the light brightness.

Installation Preparation(cont) Installation Preparation(cont)

Remove light board (if not needed)

Identify wires (not all manufacturers follow the NMRA standard)

Check that motor brushes are insulated from framefrom frame

Install selected lighting in shell

Select resistor if needed

Small ¼ watt resistor is all that is usually needed

Typical Decoder WiringTypical Decoder Wiring

Red

Black

WARNING: To prevent decoder damage:

always make sure the motor brushes are

properly isolated before applying power.DC Motor

Right Rail

Left Rail

White

Gray

OrangeMotor –

Motor +

Right Track Power

Left Track Power

flatF0F

“Sunny White” LEDs are

used instead of the

incandescent lamps with

the 1,000 ohm resistor

for each. Resistor can

also be “wired” into each

function wire.

White

Blue

DCC decoder

Output 1 (F0)

Light Common

Output 2 (F0)

Output 3 (F1)

flat

flat

flat

F0F

Front Headlight

F0R

Rear Headlight

F1 Function

Note: The Blue function common wire is

positive rectified approx 12 volts DC

Note 2: The function wire provides a

ground when the function is operated.

DCC cecoder wiring connections showing voltage dropping resistors in the common wire.

Selected DecoderSelected Decoder

Used with permission, NCE Corp.

Most manufacturers have decoder application or selection notes on their web site

Often they have photos of specific installations

InstallationInstallation

ConclusionConclusion

Plan ahead for more professional installation

Take your time for a reliable installation

Many models are similar and you can use similar techniquessimilar techniques

Not bound to one “traditional” method

Start simple and work up