I'm planning to install a a Digitrax SDH164 decoder in a Bachmann Niagara 4-8-4.I just realized that there might literally be no space for any decoder installation on the HO Bachmann Niagara 4-8-4. If so how will I accomplish installing a decoder into this engine. I need an illustration showing the procedure.
On steam locos the speakers are usually mounted in the tender in a suitable enclosure. The cam input is to synchronize the chuffs with the wheel revolution on those engines that are equipped with a chuff cam. You had better check the that your extra function inputs can handle the current draw of the smoke unit.
Joe
I just realized that there might literally be no space for any decoder installation on the HO Bachmann Niagara 4-8-4. If so how will I accomplish installing a decoder into this engine. I need an illustration showing the procedure. Just how do you do this anyway. If wiring from the tender how can one manage the wiring from the tender to the headlight of the steam locomotive.
Use small plugs such as available from Miniatronics or else often found in the RC section of the hobby shop to connect the wires between the tender and the loco, just like the locos that come with sound dcoders already installed.
If it's the old Bachmann model with the sidewinder pancake motor, it might not be worth the effort, the motors have a bad habit of dying young. That's why Bowser made a replacement mechanism for the old (pre-Spectrum) 2-8-0, as that loco was otherwise unavailable except as brass and the shell could easily be detailed. The way they are made precludes just replacing the motor with say something from NWSL because it's integrated into the drive wheels.
--Randy
Modeling the Reading Railroad in the 1950's
Visit my web site at www.readingeastpenn.com for construction updates, DCC Info, and more.
I would strongly suggest that you take it to someone to have it professionally installed.
The way you are asking, I suspect you have never done this before. This is not quite plug and play depending on exactly which loco you have.
Have you even opened up the tender? Are there two plugs with wires between the loco and tender?
Is the below link the one you have?
http://www.bachmanntrains.com/home-usa/dwg/dwgs/H503X-IS001.PDF
If so, there is a place for a 28mm speaker and there are connectors between the loco and tender. I have no idea if the loco has LED's or 12 volt light bulbs. All decoders come with wiring instructions.
If not the same loco/tender setup, send it out to be modified and probably cost more than the loco.
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.
If you are referring to the old Bachmann Niagara with the pancake drive, forget it. If you are referring to the new Bachmann 4-8-4 it comes with DCC on board.
The factory decoder that is installed is a Bachmann DCC decoder that is connected to the board with an 8 pin plug. You could get from Digitrax their 9 pin to 8 pin adapter and simply plug the decoder in. The new Bachmann Niagra also has a defined area for a speaker in the tender.
Your other option will be to match the wires to the wires on the existing board connections
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Why do you start more than one thread with the same question?
Simon Modelling CB&Q and Wabash See my slowly evolving layout on my picturetrail site http://www.picturetrail.com/simontrains and our videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/MrCrispybake?feature=mhum
Werd.