Decoder InstallationDecoder InstallationBy Roger James, Otter Valley RailroadBy Roger James, Otter Valley Railroad

So you decided to install a DCC So you decided to install a DCC decoder, tips and tricks!!decoder, tips and tricks!!

What is the Loco?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 An older Athearn Blue Box loco might be

questionable for installation due to the work.questionable for installation due to the work.

What do you want to do?What do you want to do? The more functions, the more optionsThe more functions, the more options Basic Decoders – standard 2 functionsBasic Decoders – standard 2 functions High End Decoders – as many as 8 High End Decoders – as many as 8

functionsfunctions

What is a function?What is a function? Additional lighting or accessory optionsAdditional lighting or accessory options

Ditch lights, strobe light, Mars light, Ditch lights, strobe light, Mars light, number boards, fire box, etc.number boards, fire box, etc.

Decoder SelectionDecoder Selection

Amp to motorAmp to motorSize of location in the shellSize of location in the shellHardwire, plug in play, solder in boardHardwire, plug in play, solder in boardSound or Non sound decoderSound or Non sound decoderReplace lights?Replace lights?

Issues with 1.5 v bulbs, suggest 12v led’sIssues with 1.5 v bulbs, suggest 12v led’sHow much do you want to spend?How much do you want to spend?

Prices range from $20.99 to high $40’sPrices range from $20.99 to high $40’s

Pre Test EnginePre Test Engine

Does the engine Does the engine move?move?

Check lights –Why?Check lights –Why? It helps during It helps during

installationinstallation

Test on a DC track.Test on a DC track.

Pre Wiring ResearchPre Wiring Research

Review the installation guide for the Review the installation guide for the decoder, ie. NCE N13srdecoder, ie. NCE N13sr

Manufacturer’s website for additional Manufacturer’s website for additional reference materialreference material

Youtube video’s on installationsYoutube video’s on installationsLocal modeling groupLocal modeling group Is there is no stupid question!!Is there is no stupid question!!

Removing the ShellRemoving the Shell

Sometimes the hardest part.Sometimes the hardest part.Refer to the loco’s instruction manualRefer to the loco’s instruction manualGeneral tipsGeneral tips

Proto’s have 8 screws to removeProto’s have 8 screws to removeKato’s - couplers to removeKato’s - couplers to removeAtlas - couplers and occasional frame screwAtlas - couplers and occasional frame screwAthearn – couplers and body screwsAthearn – couplers and body screws

Hard Wire DecodersHard Wire Decoders

Solder the colour coded wiresSolder the colour coded wires Follow the instructionsFollow the instructions Engineer sit on the right sideEngineer sit on the right side

Front light go to Front headlightFront light go to Front headlight

At the bare wire joints, cover with At the bare wire joints, cover with heat shrink tubing, found at “A heat shrink tubing, found at “A Counter Parts”Counter Parts”

Plug in PlayPlug in Play

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

Solder in BoardsSolder in Boards

Recommended over hardwire decodersRecommended over hardwire decodersLess work to install and generally saves Less work to install and generally saves

space, then milling away weightspace, then milling away weightFollow instructions with decoder Follow instructions with decoder

instructionsinstructionsTricksTricks

Kato’s have 4 side wires coming to the board, do Kato’s have 4 side wires coming to the board, do not solder them.not solder them.

The older Kato’s solder the metal clipsThe older Kato’s solder the metal clips

Installation TipsInstallation Tips

Keep the wire away from moving partsKeep the wire away from moving partsUse electrical tape to keep the wires in Use electrical tape to keep the wires in

placeplaceLeave yourself enough wire incase a wire Leave yourself enough wire incase a wire

breaks or needs to be re-soldered.breaks or needs to be re-soldered.Place your shrink tubing in place before Place your shrink tubing in place before

you solder the open joints.you solder the open joints.

Additional Functions InstallationAdditional Functions Installation

Use LED’s as mentionedUse 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 Most loco’s will need housing made for

ditchlights or modifications to light panelsditchlights or modifications to light panels

Put the Shell Back On!!Put the Shell Back On!!

Testing the LocoTesting the Loco

Place on the test track with D.C. power Place on the test track with D.C. power packpack

Check lights and movementCheck lights and movementNo movement, the decoder is wired No movement, the decoder is wired

wrong!!wrong!!

Programming the DecoderProgramming the Decoder

MAKE YOURSELF A GOOD MAKE YOURSELF A GOOD PROGRAMMING TRACK!!PROGRAMMING TRACK!!

Place on programming trackPlace on programming trackSet system to programming, Digitrax flip a Set system to programming, Digitrax flip a

systemsystemNCE on the throttle, depending the system NCE on the throttle, depending the system

usedused

Decoder FailsDecoder Fails

What’s wrong?What’s wrong?Either the decoder is defectiveEither the decoder is defectiveWired wrong and can not be readWired wrong and can not be readA wire is looseA wire is looseDecoder blew up, which is not uncommon Decoder blew up, which is not uncommon

with Athearn switchers with small decoders.with Athearn switchers with small decoders.

Programming IssuesProgramming Issues

My loco is not responding?My loco is not responding?First thing is find the manual and refer to the First thing is find the manual and refer to the

last page of the decoder installation and look last page of the decoder installation and look for the reset Configuration Variablefor the reset Configuration VariableDigitrax – CV 8 value 8Digitrax – CV 8 value 8Lok – CV 8 value 8Lok – CV 8 value 8NCE CV 30 value 2NCE CV 30 value 2

Everything WorksEverything Works

The loco should respond to Address 03, The loco should respond to Address 03, the standard NMRA default addressthe standard NMRA default address

Modifying CV’s can be trickyModifying CV’s can be trickyUse either the programmer track or on the Use either the programmer track or on the

mainmainOther options are Decoder Pro, or Lok Other options are Decoder Pro, or Lok

Programmer if it’s a Lok Pilot decoderProgrammer if it’s a Lok Pilot decoder

Questions???Questions???

Thanks,Thanks,

Otter Valley RailroadOtter Valley Railroad