My first decoder install

[GAPPLEG]

Being an old hand now in DCC ( two weeks) I tackled installing a decoder in my Atlas S-2, it was a chore , as everything had to be wired by hand. But I got it done and running on the layout. Now if Tony's would send me the rest of my decoders , I'll tackle more installs. For some reason my decoders are backordered for two weeks now.

[jeffrey-wimberly]

The first hard-wire installation is always the hardest one. They'll become easier as you do more of them.

[GAPPLEG]

Still re-wiring the layout also, ripped all the wiring out of the layout and re-did it all much neater. Got rid of all the old blocks , redesigned the track work to something better I hope. My whole town has been up-rooted and moving it to another location on the layout. Now , what I need is a pocket for the NCE powercab throttle. I know some guys around have made their own, love to hear what they did again.  Used Decoder Pro for setup , boy is that nice.

[locoi1sa]

  Thats great Jerry

   It wont be long before your trieing to stuff a 1 inch speaker into a switcher with a sound decoder.
 

 If your decoders are back ordered than try a diferent brand. NCE, TCS, Lenz,and Digitrax all have decoders for different engines. I always find that if Im replaceing the headlight Ill put in an LED instead of a bulb. I melted a shell on an Atlas RS1 when the bulb was left on sitting on a sideing. I have been soldering the 9 pin harnesses in lately with the 9 pin JST decoders. or if its N scale the 7 pin harness.

  Over 100 decoders instaled so far. My own and club members and freinds.

      Pete

[modelmaker51]

I have been using 2" squares of velcro to hang my ProCab and the utility throttles, they work very well.

[jktrains]

Still re-wiring the layout also, ripped all the wiring out of the layout and re-did it all much neater. Got rid of all the old blocks , redesigned the track work to something better I hope. My whole town has been up-rooted and moving it to another location on the layout. Now , what I need is a pocket for the NCE powercab throttle. I know some guys around have made their own, love to hear what they did again.  Used Decoder Pro for setup , boy is that nice.

Check these out.

http://www.ares-server.com/Ares/Ares.asp?MerchantID=RET01229&Action=Catalog&Type=Product&ID=83428

 

[Bapou]

Check out the throttle pockets Tony sells. Scroll all the way to the bottom of the page to see them. What decoders did you order from Tony that are on back order?

[GAPPLEG]

 

They were 4 NCE D13SRJ AND ONE N14IP , when I went with the NCE power pro I just ordered NCE to stay consistant in the beginning , I'm patient , still rearranging lots of track and buildings. Got three units with decoders now I had a bachman GE 70 toner that had DCC already, converted the S-2 the other night, hardwire, and today right now I finish a Stewart VO-1000 , so 3 switchers all running DCC now. Kind neat to run three units at once.

[MisterBeasley]

Do you have any sound engines yet?  I would advise putting sound in an engine, or getting a sound-equipped engine from the factory, before going all-out with decoder installations.  After I got my first sound engine, I was hooked, but now I've got a bunch of non-sound engines that I don't run much anymore, just because they have no sound.

I use Velcro for my throttle, too.  It's been over 2 years with the Velcro, and it's holding up just fine.

[locoi1sa]

  I took the back off my Power cab and drilled a hole and put a small I bolt in it. Now it hangs on the side of my workbench from a small finish nail always handy and hooked up to the test track.