All,
I keep trying to fit my HO decoder in the boiler of my HO steamer but it's more of a tight fit than I want. I guess I'm going to move all my decoder installations to the tender but I haven't found the type of wire or harness that seems to have the flexibility I need for that installation. I would like to have as few wires as possible with this type of installation. My question is three-fold. What type of wire/harness do you use? Least amount of wires between the two? I know I need orange and gray for the motor. I have a headlight and tender light. Is there a way to wire the lamp common (blue) so I don't have to run it between the engine and tender via decoder?
Chris
If you look at the recent OEM installs, they're running all the wires except for speaker and tender. In addition to what you listed you also need rail pick up, hopefully L&R. But, with brass not usually the case.
I have found breaking up the wiring harness with a couple of 2 to 4 wire connections to work fine. The real trick is to get the smallest connector and put those either right up against the tender or the loco--so that you get the full flexibility of the wire with least droop. DCC Installs and Sales has some very small connectors in a strip you can purchase. You will have to solder the connectors onto your wire.
Richard
Post a photo of your loco and tender. At least tell us scale and manufacturer.
I and many others have done tender installs.
Rich
If you ever fall over in public, pick yourself up and say “sorry it’s been a while since I inhabited a body.” And just walk away.
PFM/United, Brass, HO, sagami can motor.
Train Control Systems makes some 6 wire harness. They come with the plug and wires and the socket with the wires. See here :: http://www.tcsdcc.com/public_html/Customer_Content/Products/Supplies/Connectors/QuickPlugConnectors.htm
Soundtraxx has suitable connectors for loco to tender wiring plus lots of other good stuff.
http://www.soundtraxx.com/access/wiring.php
They show one connector specifically for loco to tender.$14.95
I found some that should work well. Thanks all.
I typically use the Tsunami Sound decoders in my brass steam engines. When I do put the decoder in the tender and the speaker there is my 5 conductor wire set up. I wire it this way incase I accidently put the plug in backwards. This way the only problem will be the locomotive runs backward. Left rail pickup is from the tender.
1. Headlight
2. Motor +
3.Right rail pickup
4. Motor -
5. Headlight.