10
INSTALLING HARD WIRED DECODERS
Locomotive decoders come as convenient plug-in models (usually designed for one
specific loco or family of locomotives) or as lower cost “hard wired” types that can be
wired directly to many different locomotives. Below is a description of a typical hard
wired installation.
Read the following section on decoders before starting. There are shortcuts to
temporary installations of the other components, but do not shortcut the decoder. We
recommend you get your first decoder installed by a dealer or locomotive
manufacturer just so you have a good example of how it’s done.
The most important part of a successful decoder installation is proper isolation of
both motor brushes from the track so that they are driven only by the decoder.
Failure to isolate will definitely damage the decoder. Damage caused by failure to
isolate the motor is not covered by the guarantee or warranty.
We find it preferable to mount the decoder with 1/2" wide 3M photo-mount double
sided foam tape (we get ours at the local supermarket).
Before test running your newly converted locomotive on full power double check
your wiring to make sure the motor is fully isolated and that there are no pinched or
broken wires. We see many decoders returned due to wires getting pinched between
the body shell and frame causing shorts.
Due to the high in-rush current of incandescent grain-of-wheat type bulbs (about 10
times the normal operating current) we have rated the decoder function outputs at
100mA each. We recommend Miniatronics part number 18-014-10 (2.4mm diameter
14 volt/30mA) bulbs for good results. If you are running higher voltages you will need
to use 16 or 18 volt bulbs.
Note 1: The function common (blue wire) is the positive lead providing rectified DC voltage. If you
elect to NOT use the common, power the light or other device from either track power pickup for
half-wave operation (approx. 1/2 voltage).
Relay, Smoke
unit, etc.
-
+
Note: If a function controlled device presents
inductive load (such as a relay), always use
a suppression diode (such as 1N4004 or 1N914)
across the device.
Motor -
Motor +
Right Track Power Pickup
Left Track Power Pickup
Forward Light
Light or Function Common (see note 1)
Reverse Light
Function 1 (not on all decoders)
Gray
Orange
Red
Black
White
Blue
Yellow
Green
Blue
Left Rail
Firemans Side
Right Rail
Engineers Side
Motor
WARNING: To prevent decoder damage,
ALWAYS make sure the motor brushes are
properly isolated before applying power.
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