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Question about decoder install in a DCC ready Spectrum 44 Tonner

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  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southern Maryland
  • 66 posts
Question about decoder install in a DCC ready Spectrum 44 Tonner
Posted by VunderBob on Saturday, October 29, 2011 10:13 AM

I have a NIB Spectrum 44 Tonner with the single motor drive and DCC ready circuit board. Only problem is the documentation does not describe the board pinouts for the decoder attachment points, nor does it describe any other modifications that may be necessary. I checked the Bachman web site, and it does not have any additional literature.

Is the decoder install as easy as yanking the jumpers and matching the numbers for the leads and attachment points?

I used to be clueless, but i've turned that around 360 degrees.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Saturday, October 29, 2011 10:41 AM

The PC board has labels. Just remove the brass tabs and connect the decoder wires using the NMRA DCC wiring info. Not a big deal. I have two single motor 44 tonners. Bachmann assumes users have some back ground DCC knowledge.

I have known some who do not even know how to remove the shell.

Cut out the two caps.

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.

  • Member since
    February 2002
  • From: Reading, PA
  • 30,002 posts
Posted by rrinker on Saturday, October 29, 2011 11:49 AM

 I used a TCS MC2 in mine, the board itself is labeled - just pay attention, they are NOT in order (ie, it's not 1-8)

And definitely clip off the two capacitors.

                 --Randy

 


Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's

 

Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southern Maryland
  • 66 posts
Posted by VunderBob on Saturday, October 29, 2011 12:03 PM

It's stuff like the capacitors that are the reason I ask stoooooopid questions.

Thanks.

I used to be clueless, but i've turned that around 360 degrees.

  • Member since
    July 2006
  • 3,312 posts
Posted by locoi1sa on Saturday, October 29, 2011 12:12 PM

 I pray every day I break even, Cause I can really use the money!

 I started with nothing and still have most of it left!

  • Member since
    December 2007
  • From: Southern Maryland
  • 66 posts
Posted by VunderBob on Sunday, November 6, 2011 11:07 AM

I got the job done last weekend, and it was a PITA. I blame my old eyes and the fact that I haven't soldered anything in about 15 years...

Odd thing was, there were no caps or coils on my PCB, just a couple of resistors. I left them alone. Oh well, if I screwed it up I'll order another board and try again. Thanks for the help, guys.

I used to be clueless, but i've turned that around 360 degrees.

  • Member since
    October 2006
  • From: Western, MA
  • 8,571 posts
Posted by richg1998 on Sunday, November 6, 2011 11:22 AM

VunderBob

I got the job done last weekend, and it was a PITA. I blame my old eyes and the fact that I haven't soldered anything in about 15 years...

Odd thing was, there were no caps or coils on my PCB, just a couple of resistors. I left them alone. Oh well, if I screwed it up I'll order another board and try again. Thanks for the help, guys.

It would help a lot if you post a photo of the PC board.

Your must have a newer PC board with SMD components. What looks like resistors are two Ferrite inductors. Look carefully at the labels on the PC board.

C means a cap.

R means a resistor.

L means an inductor.

D means a diode.

Many are not aware of the labels.

I snip off the SMD caps with small wire cutters. They snip easily.

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.

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